You’re standing in the middle of a massive crowd at High Street on a crisp November Saturday. The air smells like charcoal smoke and victory. You look at the person next to you—someone you’ve never met—and you both nod. Why? Because you’re both wearing that one specific bit of metal on your collar. It’s the Ohio State lapel pin. It’s tiny. It’s basically just a bit of enamel and a butterfly clutch. But in Columbus, it’s basically a secret handshake that screams "O-H" without you ever having to open your mouth.
People think it’s just a souvenir. It isn't.
If you’ve spent any time around the Schottenstein Center or wandering the tailgates near the Olentangy River, you know the pin culture is real. It’s not just about showing school spirit; it’s a deep-seated obsession with history, rarity, and that specific shade of Scarlet and Gray that looks just right under stadium lights. Honestly, the world of Buckeyes memorabilia is a rabbit hole. Most folks just grab whatever's on the rack at the bookstore, but the real collectors? They’re hunting for the weird stuff. They want the pins that commemorate the 2002 National Championship or the 2014 playoff run. They want the stuff that was only given to donors or faculty.
The Psychology of the Buckeyes Pin
Why do we care about a piece of metal that’s less than an inch wide? It’s identity.
Wearing an Ohio State lapel pin on a blazer or a denim jacket is a way of planting a flag. It says you belong to a lineage that includes Woody Hayes and Archie Griffin. It’s a subtle flex. In professional settings across Ohio, you’ll see lawyers, doctors, and politicians wearing a simple "Block O" pin. It’s professional, yet it signals a very specific loyalty. It’s different from a jersey. A jersey is loud. A pin is a whisper that carries a lot of weight.
Think about the "Gold Pants." That’s the ultimate pin, right? Though technically a charm given to players who beat Michigan, it represents the pinnacle of Buckeye jewelry. While most of us will never earn a pair of Gold Pants, a high-quality lapel pin is the closest the rest of us get to that tradition.
What Actually Makes a Pin Valuable?
You’d be surprised what people pay for these things on eBay or at local flea markets in Worthington. It’s not always about the age. Sometimes it’s about the "oops" factor.
I once saw a collector at a sports memorabilia show in Cleveland lose his mind over a pin from the 90s because the silver plating was slightly different from the standard run. To the average person, it’s junk. To him, it was a rare variant. Generally, you’re looking at a few different tiers of pins. First, you’ve got your mass-produced stadium giveaways. These are fun, but they aren't going to fund your retirement. Then you have the "Season Ticket Holder" exclusives. Those are the ones that start to get interesting because you can't just buy them at the mall.
Then there’s the vintage stuff.
Anything from the 1960s or 70s that features the old-school Brutus Buckeye—before he got the modern "gym-bro" makeover—is highly sought after. The early versions of Brutus looked a bit more... let's say "hand-crafted." He was a bit lumpier, a bit more like an actual buckeye nut. Those pins have a soul that the modern, sleek designs sometimes lack. If you find an old cloisonné pin where the enamel is actually glass-fired rather than just painted plastic, hold onto it. That’s the good stuff.
Spotting the Fakes and the Cheapies
Here’s the thing: the market is flooded with garbage.
If you’re buying an Ohio State lapel pin from a random site that also sells cheap fidget spinners, you’re getting a piece of zinc alloy that will turn green in six months. Real collectors look for a few specific things:
- Weight: If it feels like a plastic bottle cap, it’s trash. A real pin has some heft to it.
- The Backing: While most use butterfly clutches, some older high-end pins use a "screw-back" or a "long-stem" safety pin style. These are usually indicators of a more formal, or older, piece.
- Official Licensing: Look for the holographic sticker on the packaging. If it doesn't have the "Collegiate Licensed Product" logo, it’s a bootleg. Some bootlegs are cool, but they don't hold value the same way.
Basically, if the "O" looks wonky or the scarlet looks too much like hot pink, walk away. The university is very protective of its branding for a reason. They want that specific Pantone 200 C to be consistent.
The Tradition of the Game-Day Suit
Have you noticed the coaches?
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Ryan Day and the staff usually opt for the sideline gear now, but there was a long era where the "Game-Day Suit" was the standard. And on every single one of those lapels was a pin. It’s a tradition that trickles down. You see it at the Varsity Club. You see it at the Blackwell Hotel. There’s a certain subset of fans who treat game day like a black-tie event, and for them, the pin is the finishing touch. It’s the "jewelry" of the common fan.
It’s also about the "Tradition of Excellence." That’s a phrase people throw around a lot, but in Columbus, it’s a real thing. The pin represents the 36 varsity sports, the best band in the land, and the "Dotting of the I." When you wear it, you’re carrying all of that. It’s a lot of pressure for a one-inch piece of metal, honestly.
Where to Actually Find the Good Ones
Don’t just go to a big-box retailer. If you want a pin that actually has a story, you’ve got to dig.
- Estate Sales in Upper Arlington: This is where the gold is. You’ll find pins from retired professors or long-time boosters that haven't seen the light of day since 1974.
- Conrads College Gifts: A staple for any real fan. They’ve been around forever and they get the weird, specific stuff.
- The Ohio State University Archives: Okay, you can’t buy them here, but if you want to see what the truly rare ones look like, it’s worth a look. They have pins that date back to the early 20th century.
How to Wear It Without Looking Like a Dork
Listen, there’s an art to this. You don't want to look like you're wearing "flair" at a chain restaurant.
One pin. That’s the rule.
Maybe two if one of them is an American flag and the other is the Block O. Anything more than that and you start to look like a billboard. If you’re wearing a suit, it goes on the left lapel, through the buttonhole if your jacket has a real one. If you’re wearing a hat, stick it on the side, not right in the middle. And for the love of everything holy, make sure it’s straight. A crooked Buckeye is a sign of a rough night or a lack of attention to detail.
The "O" Across the Globe
The coolest thing about an Ohio State lapel pin is what happens when you’re nowhere near Ohio.
I’ve heard stories of people wearing their pin in London, Tokyo, or a random airport in Dubai. Someone will see that tiny bit of red and silver, lock eyes with you, and just shout "O-H!" It’s a global community. That pin is the beacon. It’s the thing that connects a kid from small-town Ohio to a CEO in Manhattan. It’s a reminder that no matter where you go, you’re part of something massive.
Some people collect them to remember specific games. They’ve got a "Michigan Game 2016" pin or a "Rose Bowl 2022" pin. It’s a timeline of their life as a fan. Each pin is a memory of a freezing cold day in the 'Shoe or a nail-biter that ended in a field goal.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Collector
If you're looking to start or grow a collection, don't just buy everything you see. Be intentional.
Verify the metal content. If you're looking for something that lasts, try to find "hard enamel" pins. They are polished flat and are much more durable than "soft enamel" pins, which have a bumpy texture and can chip over time.
Check the "back-stamp." High-quality pins often have the manufacturer's name or the official licensing info stamped into the metal on the back. This is a huge green flag for authenticity.
Store them properly. Don't just throw them in a junk drawer. The friction will scratch the enamel. Get a pin board or a shadow box. If you're serious, look for acid-free storage options.
Join the community. There are Facebook groups and forums dedicated specifically to Ohio State memorabilia. People trade pins there all the time. It’s a great way to find those "non-commercial" pins that were only given to university employees or specific athletic departments.
The most important thing? Wear it. These things aren't meant to sit in a dark box forever. They’re meant to be out in the world, sparking conversations and reminding everyone that you’re a Buckeye for life. Whether it’s a vintage 1950s piece or a brand-new design from the Union, let it ride on your shoulder. It’s a small piece of a very big story.