Do you consider Artist Proof pins to be something special?

I collect artist proof pins, and love them. I always thought they were super special to get and a rare treat. I recently have been wondering if other people don't think so, so here's my poll question:

If you got an Artist Proof of a pin on your want list as a gift, would you think it was special?

I think your kind of asking 2 questions. I would never think of a gift as thoughtless and if it was an AP version of a pin I wanted I would admire the persons selflesness. However do I consider ap pins so special I would seek out that version rather than the 'normal' version of the pin? No, I am happy to get the pin I like whatever version. an AP collection sounds cool though and I should think they are probably harder to trade for.

I've just recently started paying more attention to AP pins since I found what appear to be 2 APs in my pin bag. I've always thought they were great, but since they're so rare I always kinda figured I'd probably never get my hands on any of them so I didn't spend much time thinking about them. I would absolutely love to have AP versions of pins on my wants list, it would be like double the awesomeness, lol! But I don't usually seek out AP versions of my favorite pins because, like I said, I never really expect to find them. And as far as AP pins in general, I think I'm more interested in finding them for pins in my wants list rather than having them for their merit alone just because say I come across a Donald AP pin. I don't collect Donald so it won't really be all that special to me personally as it would to someone else who is a Donald collector. I'd rather people who collect the character/subject to be able to get those special pins rather than my collecting them just because of what kind of pin it is. If that makes any sense. Now show me an AP pin from my wants list and I'd be chomping at the bit!

If i was a gift and a pin I was really searching for then I would think it was something special but any other time I don't care for them as they are just the same as the ones released maybe with a different metal or AP stamp on the back. I say Im an UP completist but there was no way I was buying the PP or AP pins that disneystore.com sold in them mystery lots just a waste of money in the end.

HiddenMickeys said:

I've just recently started paying more attention to AP pins since I found what appear to be 2 APs in my pin bag. I've always thought they were great, but since they're so rare I always kinda figured I'd probably never get my hands on any of them so I didn't spend much time thinking about them. I would absolutely love to have AP versions of pins on my wants list, it would be like double the awesomeness, lol! But I don't usually seek out AP versions of my favorite pins because, like I said, I never really expect to find them. And as far as AP pins in general, I think I'm more interested in finding them for pins in my wants list rather than having them for their merit alone just because say I come across a Donald AP pin. I don't collect Donald so it won't really be all that special to me personally as it would to someone else who is a Donald collector. I'd rather people who collect the character/subject to be able to get those special pins rather than my collecting them just because of what kind of pin it is. If that makes any sense. Now show me an AP pin from my wants list and I'd be chomping at the bit!

Click to expand...

Yeah, that's pretty much my opinion too! I would love to have AP versions of pins that I want, but I wouldn't really be interested in having a bunch of AP pins for characters I don't collect / pins I don't really want.

Well, if it was an older DA or Disneyshopping.com pin and it was a different metal (e.g., black or silver instead of gold), I would definitely see this as a very extra special gift. If it's the same pin, with just the AP or PP mark on the back, not so much. Don't get me wrong, it's a great gift but no more special to me than if I were given the non-AP/PP pin.

Just to clarify my answer. First, the title to the answer "a thoughtless gift" is not correct to me. I simply think that AP and PP pins are not any more special to me than the regular pin. I don't give them any more value or care. But if someone were to trade or send me one then that is very thoughtful. But I don't see it as a huge bonus.

I dont' go after AP's but I think they are cool. And I'd like to own AP's of pins I like whether I own them already or not. But I'm usually not going to over trade for an AP of a pin I already own. If I don't own even the regular, and it's on my wants, I may trade a bit more because it's the AP, but not way more. I know what it takes to get AP's and the added cost so they should have a slight premium, but not WAY higher like some people value them. Many just call them "Another Pin."

AgentOfAnarchy said:

I think your kind of asking 2 questions. I would never think of a gift as thoughtless and if it was an AP version of a pin I wanted I would admire the persons selflesness. However do I consider ap pins so special I would seek out that version rather than the 'normal' version of the pin? No, I am happy to get the pin I like whatever version. an AP collection sounds cool though and I should think they are probably harder to trade for.

Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat, I feel like APs are an absolutely great gift and any pin is already a great gift, but APs are something else (along with PPs). However, do I want APs? No I do not. I like to have the pin that was released to everyone bar a few of the Kingdom Hearts pins, but that's it. However, if someone gifted me with an AP, would I trade it? 97 times out of 100 no, but if a really great trade came along, I can't say I wouldn't turn something that great down (and it would have to be great ).