Pin Backs

Hi All,

I am brand new to pin collecting and have soooo many questions, but I'll stick to just one pressing one right now. I have read many articles and guides on my new hobby, but haven't been able to find much info on what First Release and Second Release stamped on the backs of pins mean. Does it have anything to do with AP & PP? Or just a fancy way of saying you have an ordinary pin?

As far as i know first release means it was the first pressing of said pin, then disney decided they needed more of said pin after the first one sold out and so they went back and had a second pressing done and changed the backstamp to show that.......(dont quote me if im wrong)

Since asking that question....

pincrazy1 said:

As far as i know first release means it was the first pressing of said pin, then disney decided they needed more of said pin after the first one sold out and so they went back and had a second pressing done and changed the backstamp to show that.......(dont quote me if im wrong)

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I asked that question while arranging my pins and have since found one that said both First Release & AP on it -- # 74730. So I guess we're both confused now = )

yes the AP is what they had to approve to be made, so it is gunna say first run with an AP stamp
So first run pins are what come after the AP, then its onto second run with no APs at all.

First Releases are just that the first release of a pin, since you have one stamped AP it means you have an AP of a First Release.

Sorry if I'm sounding "ditzy" but is an AP of a "First Release" the same thing as a pin that only has an AP stamp? If we were playing poker, what would be the hierarchy of the pins? I've been reading so much about Scrappers and Counterfeits and seem to have a handle on how to identify them but now I need to educate myself on what all the info on the backstamp means. I'm going to Disneyland next month -- YAY ME -- and want to be aware.

On a different note..... I see that both of you ~~ pincrazy1 and TheHapaOne are in the vicinity of DLR, do you know of any places nearby that have authentic discounted pins that I can trade with CMs?

you can try MyDPins which is near knotts, they have a lot of $2 pins that are 100% real

Let me see if I can help here

AP - artist proof / an initial batch run of typically 3-5 pins before the main print run to ensure quality control and design is correct
PP - production proof / similar to the above but usually done by the production plant to ensure quality control and production run
First Release - a relatively new term that Disney started using. Indicates the first time that a design has been used. Typically only appears on open edition pins.
Open edition - a pin design that Disney intends to reuse / reissue based on popularity or when the occasion merits.
Limited Release - a pin that can only be obtained by purchasing a specific item or product such as mystery sets or seasonal items. There may be a "limited" number of sets available but are not necessarily Limited Edition pins.
Limited Edition - a pin that is specifically limited to a fixed number of pins typically 25 / 50 / 100 / 150 / 200 with rarer ones of 2000 to 5000.

Disney has also been know to release special "mystery AP sets" via Disney Shopping and Pin Events. These pins come in sets of 3 pins with black / silver / gold backings. They are LE-1 and may not have any other distinctive markings except for the uniquely colored back metals.

NonnaMia said:

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On a different note..... I see that both of you ~~ pincrazy1 and TheHapaOne are in the vicinity of DLR, do you know of any places nearby that have authentic discounted pins that I can trade with CMs?

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Try My-D Pins & Collectibles. They are on the corner of Beach and Ball in Anaheim. That's quite an easy corner to remember. You can get some inexpensive and authentic Disney pins that you can use to trade with CMs at the parks.

edit:
^^ Oh, I see TheHapaOne posted this information too.

Thank you all so much for sharing your knowledge and for your eagerness to help. *I'm definitely taking notes!

Too funny the location of the store! Ooooo nooo $2 pins! Let me at them!

Thanks for the crib notes on the pin ranking, it'll be traveling with me. However, I'm still confused on my pin # 74730. It has both AP AND First Release stamped on the back of this single pin. Is it an error? A counterfeit?

NonnaMia said:

Thank you all so much for sharing your knowledge and for your eagerness to help. *I'm definitely taking notes!

Too funny the location of the store! Ooooo nooo $2 pins! Let me at them!

Thanks for the crib notes on the pin ranking, it'll be traveling with me. However, I'm still confused on my pin # 74730. It has both AP AND First Release stamped on the back of this single pin. Is it an error? A counterfeit?

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No, it can be both. You have the AP (of which only a few are made, usually 15 or so) of the First Release of a pin. So, basically, you have one of the first few pins off the very first run. It's the same as having an AP of a Limited Edition pin- it's still limited edition, you just happen to have the first few made.

To the best of my knowledge, "First Release" isn't a big deal...it's just something Disney tried to make things seem more collectable, but nobody seemed to care, really...especially since they're mostly still open edition pins (and thus, easier to get, unless older).

As to whether or not AP is more "valuable" or not, that depends on both the pin, and who you talk to. Some people collect them, and might pay/trade more for them, and some of us really don't care if our pin is AP or not. An AP of a rarer pin (like a LE 100) could go for quite a bit more, but an open edition AP usually trends the same or just a tiny bit more than the normal version of the pin.

Abyssinian28,

Thanks for shining a light on what my backstamps mean. I bought the pin because I like it, so I'll be keeping it. I just like to immerse myself in knowledge of the things that I collect; whether it be dolls, Precious Moments, or Disney.

All of you have been generous with your knowledge. It makes me feel like I am part of a team = ) .