Pin Grading Guide

Please note that enamel pins are handmade items, filled, and polished individually by hand. As a result, no pin will be 100% perfect, and slight flaws may occur. Each pin will be closely inspected upon arrival and categorized into three categories.

A Grade/Standard

As handmade items, pins can vary from unit to unit. These pins may have very minor faults, including:

  • Minor scratches or scuffs on both the metal or enamel surface.
  • Slightly low or uneven fills.
  • Slightly discolored metal.
  • Small specks, pores, or bubbles.
  • Slight misaligned print.

B Grade/Seconds

These pins have noticeable flaws and are being sold at a discount. Some of the flaws include but are not limited to the following: 

  • Noticeable under-filling or over-filling of enamel.
  • Scuffs or scratches on both metal or enamel surface.
  • Multiple noticeable air bubbles, pores or specks.
  • Missing enamel on a small portion of the pin.
  • Obvious discoloration of metal or enamel.
  • Badly misaligned or missing print.
  • Heavy oxidation of the metal.
 

C Grade

C Grade pins have multiple and massive defects. Some of those include:

  • Multiple unfilled areas of enamel.
  • Noticeable and deep scratches.
  • Wrong enamel colors.
  • Broken or missing pin posts.