Because this year’s Olympics should have been LAST year’s Olympics, the potential for collectibles is high. There are several reasons for that: People like things that look like mistakes, and the memorabilia, including pins, medal ribbons and shirts, all say 2020, not 2021. The normal crowds of spectators and guests who trade Olympic pins, which date to the first summer games in Athens in 1896, and buy souvenirs are nonexistent. Even the practice of trading pins among the athletes themselves is gone because the athletes are all quarantined. Good memorabilia sought by collectors include memorabilia signed or used by Gold Medal winners, verified by documentation like a photo of the actual signing.

Online, pins with the date or symbols featuring iconic Japan related images are currently the most popular. Be careful of fakes. Make sure collectible items are authentic. Pins and other memorabilia can be made after the events. Check that they were available at time of the Olympics. Take a photo showing the pin with date. For more information on collecting Olympic pins, you can join Olympin, the Olympic pin collecting club at Olympinclub.com.