1979 World Junior Figure Skating Championships Pin: It’s a Zirbelnuss.

Last Updated on March 10, 2024 by Netropolitan Museum

Pin features tie-ins to Augsburg, the host city for the annual figure skating event

Although a pin that is unusual or different in some way is not necessarily made exceptional because of its peculiarity, those pins usually are interesting just the same. Such is the case with the pin issued for the 1979 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, held in Augsburg, West Germany. First, the shape of the pin is unusual—a gracefully tapered square with rounded corners. Second, it features an unusual element with a criss-cross pattern: is the shape a pineapple, an artichoke, a tennis racket, an antenna of some sort … perhaps a pinecone? Third, the arrangement of the type along the top edge of the pin breaks tradition since content that “snakes” to the shape of a pin is typically more seen on circular varieties.

Pin Gallery: 1979 World Junior Figure Skating Championships

Beneath the lowly epoxy exterior lies a design comprised of colors from the city of Augsburg flag. Time, however, has not been kind to the original white color, which today will almost always exhibit heavy yellowing. Anchoring the pin is a world globe in green with a skate blade in silver that stands prominently just below the center line. Along the top is the event name: “World Junior Figure Skating Championships 1979” while the bottom of the pin features the location: “Augsburg.” This is one of the more interesting pins made to commemorate a World Junior Championship.

And what of that mysterious shape with the criss-cross pattern? After some research, it is revealed to be none other than a Zirbelnuss, or the humble pinecone, atop a capital and is the coat of arms of the city of Augsburg. For trivia lovers, the Zirbelnuss is shown in the “closed” position.

Enjoy this week’s figure skating pin blog: 1979 World Figure Skating Championships Pin: It’s a Zirbelnuss.

This blog was originally published at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins on March 27, 2021, and has been updated with new and expanded information.

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