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Putting a Pin in It

by MCHS Staff
February 10, 2025

In 2009, a longtime member, trustee, and dedicated volunteer donated a unique collection to MCHS: 133 stickpins. All beautiful, some highly unusual, they are some of the only men’s accessories within MCHS’s collection. Historically used to secure ties and other neckwear, today stickpins are sometimes worn on lapels. Below is a sampling of the one-of-a-kind pieces that periodically make a cameo appearance in our exhibits.

One of the most unique pins in the collection is of a shark’s tooth.

 

While at first the pin appears to be a molded coin, the face is in fact inserted into a 1906 dime that was cut open.

 

This amethyst pin is of the donor’s birthstone.

 

Several of the pins in the collection, like this Gorham silver turtle, are 3D animal figures, including a bull, crab, and lion (top photo).

 

Need a little luck? There are also several wishbones and four-leaf clovers.

 

One of the most delicate pins is a large gold flower.

 

But sometimes simple is best, like this gold and topaz pin. 

 

While absolutely tiny, the cameo pins the donor collected have fine details.

 

While most of the pins are cut into clean, elegant shapes, this abalone shell relies on its natural luster.

 

This scarab pin has an open back to show off the hieroglyphics carved into it.

 

This oil lamp pin commemorates an unknown event in, presumably, 1896 (as marked).

 

 

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