Die Struck Antique Lapel Pins

Die struck antique lapel pins run from 15mm up to 50mm across eight sizes, with antique brass, silver, copper, and gold finishes available across the full range. The process starts with die striking. The artwork is pressed into metal, producing raised relief areas and recessed areas across the pin face. An antique wash is then applied across the entire surface and darkens into the recesses. Hand polishing then lifts the raised areas back to a lighter tone of the metal, creating the two-tone contrast that gives the antique finish its depth. The finished pin has no enamel fill; the design reads through the interplay of dark recesses and polished raised metal. Gold plating is available at additional cost; brass, silver, and copper are standard across all sizes.

Antique brass, silver, and copper each communicates something different on the lapel. A club ordering brass for its members, a school commissioning silver for award presentations, and a corporate brand choosing copper for a product launch are all making a finish choice that reflects the identity behind the occasion. The antique process gives all three a finish that reads as carefully considered and crafted rather than mass-produced.

Size matters as much as finish. A 15mm pin sits cleanly on a lapel without competing with other elements, while a 40mm or 50mm pin gives complex crests and heraldic designs enough surface area to read clearly.

Good to Know

Which organisations order die struck antique lapel pins most often?

Clubs, associations, and membership organisations order antique pins because the heritage aesthetic suits a traditional identity, and military and veterans groups order them for commemorative and service recognition purposes. Schools and universities order them for academic and sporting achievement awards where the finish communicates distinction without colour fill.

Is the antique finish durable?

The antique finish becomes part of the metal surface rather than sitting on top of it as paint would, and hand polishing works directly on the metal to create the two-tone contrast. Normal handling and wear maintains the finish well, because the contrast is built into the surface rather than applied as a separate coating.

Can the same design be produced in more than one finish?

The same die can produce pins in brass, silver, copper, or gold because the finish is applied after striking. An organisation creating a tiered award series can use the same die across gold, silver, and copper tiers without redesigning the pin for each finish.

What is the minimum order quantity?

The minimum across all sizes and finishes is 50 units, applying to each individual finish and size separately. Larger quantities reduce the unit cost, so confirming total volume needed across all variations before placing the order helps manage cost.