Last Updated on May 18, 2024 by Netropolitan Museum
Four variations of the event location used on pins is peculiar
The pins and medal produced to commemorate the 1985 Skate America event, held in St. Paul, Minnesota, hold the distinction of being among the most inconsistent as to how the location of the event is listed. It’s a peculiar issue, to be certain. In the gallery below, the small logo pin lists “Minnesota” as the location while the large logo pin lists “St. Paul/Minneapolis.” The third pin, featuring the event mascot, references “St. Paul, MN,” and the official’s medal shows “St. Paul/Minnesota.”
Pins Gallery: 1985 Skate America
Perhaps the indecision on location names resulted from an attempt to display as many combinations as possible of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the state abbreviation MN. Whatever the reason for the indecision, it is a peculiarity in the world of figure skating pins.
1985 SKATE AMERICA – LOGO PINS
Small – Size
Approximately 13/16″ x 11/16″ (2.1 cm x 1.7 cm)
Large – Size
Approximately 1-1/16″ x 15/16″ (2.7 cm x 2.4 cm)
Value
$5 to $10 each, depending on condition
1985 SKATE AMERICA – MASCOT PIN
Size
Approximately 7/8″ diameter (2.2 cm diameter)
Value
$5 to $10 depending on condition
1985 SKATE AMERICA – OFFICIAL’S MEDAL
Size
Approximately 1-1/2″ x 3″ (3.8 cm x 7.6 cm)
Value
$10 to $15, depending on condition
The small logo pin is the standout, produced on a rich gold base metal with the familiar Skate America pictogram in traditional red and blue. The angled, cut-out shape at the top of the pin is an effective treatment not seen in prior Skate America pins. The large logo pin also features the pictogram, although executed in different shades of red and blue than the companion smaller pin, while the mascot pin features a silly, cartoon-style duck on skates. Both pins are covered with an epoxy dome.
The official’s medal—likely presented to an operations expert who served at the event—is suspended from a handsome dark blue ribbon that closely matches the blue used on the smaller pin. The medal itself, in relief and made of a silver-color metal, features the Skate America pictogram as the central design element. The deep relief of the pin displays well. The word “Official” is along the top, constrained to the circular shape.
Enjoy this week’s figure skating pins blog: 1985 Skate America Pins: On Indecision.
This blog was originally published at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins on July 17, 2021, and has been updated with new and expanded information.
The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins Story
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