Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-12-03 Origin: Site
If you are a lapel pin collector, it is very likely that your first pin was a Mickey Mouse or Harry Potter design purchased from an official souvenir shop at Disneyland or Universal Studios before you ventured into the world of customization.
Compared with self-designed custom pins, these commercial lapel pins are more accessible and easier to obtain, saving you the work of designing artwork or choosing production techniques.
However, they can become more valuable over time, especially if they are limited editions or commemorative releases.
For example, a 1930s Mickey Mouse lapel pin originally given only to first cast members has become a highly collectible piece, now valued at USD 8998.
Today, we will look at the top 5 best-selling lapel pin companies in the world that every collector should know.
These companies are famous for their iconic characters, rich fictional universes, and strong cultural influence. We will explore their history and discover what makes them leaders in the global lapel pin market.
Disney (USA)
Licensed Products Revenue:$63+ Billion USD (2024)
The Walt Disney Company, known simply as Disney, is one of the world’s largest and most influential entertainment giants. Over the century, Disney has created thousands of characters, although no official total count has ever been released. In 2023, the short film Once Upon a Studio alone featured 543 characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios. This number does not even include character from Pixar, Marvel and major acquisitions such as Star Wars.
These globally recognized IPs are beloved by both children and adults, allowing Disney to create a vast range of merchandise and character-themed collectibles sold worldwide. In 2024, Disney-licensed products, including metal and plastic gifts, generated approximately 63 billion USD in sales. Besides, Disney is well know for its pin-trading tradition. Guests can trade pins with cast members who wear lanyards or pin packs throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.
However, only authentic Disney pins are permitted in trades, which further boosts the demand and sales of official Disney pins.What makes Disney pin truly special is not only its characters, but also the advanced techniques used in its pins. Take the Stitch snow globe pin designed by Baublebar as an example.
This pin captures Stitch’s playful energy in a fun and collectible way. Made with high-quality hard enamel, the design features Stitch inside a snow globe with vibrant, vivid colors. The smooth domed surface is filled with loose glitter that moves as you tilt the pin, just like a real snow globe.
Global Presence: 200+ Countries, 500+ Brands
Of course, everyone knows Coca-Cola. It is one of the most famous soft drinks in the world. We can see Coca-Cola brand in almost any area in this world. By 2013, Coca-Cola products were sold in more than 200 countries and territories, with consumers drinking over 1.8 billion servings of the company’s beverages each day. Coca-Cola ranked No.94 on the 2024 Fortune 500 list of the largest U.S corporations by revenue. According to Interbrand’s 2023 Best global brand study, Coca-Cola was the world’s sixth most valuable brand. But none of this fully explains why Coca-Cola pins are so popular.
There are three main reasons why Coca-Cola pins exist and why they have become highly sought after. They are collected primarily as memorabilia, used for employee recognition, and produced as marketing items tied to major sponsorship and events. Because Coca-Cola is a global brand with a long and rich history, its memorabilia is widely collected. Pins are often the first choice for collectors because they are iconic, accessible, and a meaningful way to show appreciation for the brand. Many well-known and emerging brands choose to collaborate with Coca-Cola because of its massive portfolio of owned and distributed brands, built through decades of growth, mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Coca-Cola also leverages its strong brand influence to create collaborations with companies and artists, helping to generate cultural relevance and introduce new products.
The pin shown below is a collaborative piece created for Coca-Cola and Titanic in 1927. It is extremely rare and believed to be a one-of-a-kind item, which makes is highly collectible. It is currently values at around 500 USD.
What makes collecting Coca-Cola pins so popular also because of its long tradition of using lapel pins to recognize employee service and dedication.
Some vintage pins mark important career milestones, such as 10 or 15 years of service. These pins can be quite prestigious and valuable depending on the materials used.
For example, this 10k real gold pin from the 1970s was awarded to employees for completing 10 years of service.
To support marketing and sponsorship efforts, Coca-Cola often produces limited-edition pins to commemorate major evens, such as the Olympics or significant cultural moments like the music-themed pins from the 1990s.
These pins serve as both promotional tools and collectible items, allowing consumers to engage with the brand’s partnership in a memorable and tangible way.
Revenue:$12 Billion USD (2024)
Pika Pika! The moment you hear these words, you probably know exactly who it is - Pikachu. As one of the most iconic characters in the Pokémon series, Pikachu has become a symbol of Japanese pop culture and achieved a level of global recognition that goes far beyong the Pokémon fanbase. This shows just how influential and well known Pokémon truly is.
Pokémon was originally released as a video game for the Game Boy in 1996. The franchise quickly expanded into a popular anime series, a trading card game, movies and a wide range of merchandise. Today, Pokémon has become one of the most famous IPs in the world, featuring 1025 unique Pokémon species as of 2025. Each character attracts millions of fans and anime lovers around the globe.
This strong global fanbase makes Pokémon pins extremely popular. In Tokyo alone, there are 16 Pokémon Centers that sells pins ranging from 9.99 USD to 99.99 USD, which is considered quite expensive for lapel pins. However, the high price does not stop Pokémon fans from continually purchasing them.
Revenue:$1.05 Billion USD (2024)
Funko Inc. is an American company that manufactures licensed and limited-edition pop culture collectibles.
It is best known for its Pop! figurines, which are characterized by their large heads, big black eyes and stylized “pop-ified” appearance, making them instantly recognizable.
Since the first Pop! Products were released on 2005, Funko has expanded its product lines to include lapel pins, vinyl figures ans various other collectibles.
The company has also secured licensing agreements with major brands such as Warner Bros., Paramount Global, NBC Universal, Disney, Marvel Entertainment and Major League Baseball.
The Pop! Vinyl figure pins shown below are among the most sought-after items for collectors. They feature the same oversized, stylized head design as the original figurines, giving the pins a cute and distinctive look.
Known For:High Exposure
To be precise, the Olympics is not a company that sells Olympic pins, but an institution that authorizes companies and organizations to design and produce them. The international Olympic Committee oversees the Olympic Games and leads the Olympic Movement. Every four years, when the Olympic Games take place, a massive wave of pin trading follows throughout the entire event. Athletes, media, government officials, staff and volunteers associated with the Games all participate in this tradition. The Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (OCOG) designs official Olympic pins based on each year’s slogan, combines with their own countries culture or traditions. Some pins are sold to the public, while others are exclusive to athletes or staff, making pin trading especially meaningful because it may be the only way to obtain certain rare designs.
The Olympic pin trading tradition began in 1896 with simple cardboard badges used for identification. Over time, it evolved into a beloved and unofficial sport where participants exchange pins as a way to connect and build friendships. Modern Olympic pins are highly detailed and come from various sources, including OCOG, sponsors and host cities. They are often displayed on lanyards worn athletes, and it’s common to see medal winners carrying lanyards full of trading pins.
From Disney cartoon pins to Olympic pins, the global lapel pin industry continues to evolve. Not only can anime series become part of the lapel pin world, but major global events can also be transformed into collectible pins. These top five lapel pin brands highlight the intersection of design, culture and fun, as more customers are exposed to beautifully crafted products.
At Cugle, we have proudly served as a supplier for many renowned brands worldwide, including Disney, FIFA and Pokémon. We are committed to offering you the same exceptional opportunity - a one-stop service experience with high quality, professional craftsmanship and reliable support. Our goal is to help elevate and standardize the industry while bringing you creative ideas to life.
Coca Cola (USA) 
