Collecting European Figure Skating Pins: Beyond the Competition.

Posted on by Netropolitan Museum

Exploring the artistry, history, and cultural richness of European Championships pins

For those drawn to the history and artistry of figure skating, pins from European Figure Skating Championships offer a uniquely rich area of collecting. In this niche, the most compelling pieces go far beyond simple souvenirs. They represent one of the sport’s longest-running and most storied competitions—in fact, the oldest event sanctioned by the International Skating Union (ISU)—marked by pins that reflect not only competitive excellence and history, but also the cultural identity and artistic sensibilities (or lack thereof) of their host nations. At The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins, these are exactly the kinds of pieces that define a meaningful collection.

Pins Gallery: European Figure Skating Championships

In this feature, we turn our attention to a curated selection of pins from 25 different European Championships, spanning from the late 1920s through the middle 1980s. Each piece has been selected for its design merit, historical relevance, or rarity—whether featuring unique materials, inventive shapes, or distinctive national symbolism. Together, they offer a fascinating lens into how different countries chose to represent themselves and the sport during their moment on the European stage. Although this gallery highlights a focused group, many European Championships issued multiple pins, and visitors are encouraged to explore the broader archive at The Netropolitan for a deeper look.

  • Elaborate pin marking the 1928 European Championships.
    1928 Troppau – Official/Competitor
  • 1933 European Figure Skating Participant Medal.
    1933 London – Competitor
  • Rosette-encircled 1936 European Championships pin.
    1936 Berlin – Official
  • Lapel pin commemorating the 1938 European Figure Skating Championships.
    1938 Troppau – Official
  • 1939 European Ladies Championship badge and ribbon.
    1939 London – Judge
  • Logo pin from the 1949 European Championships.
    1949 Milan
  • A frightening depiction--a serpent swallowing a child--on the 1949 European event pin.
    1949 Milan – Official
  • Competitor pin from the estate of German figure skater Ria Baran.
    1952 Vienna – Ria Baran (Competitor)
  • A flower, comprised of national flags, creates a colorful pin, marking the 1954 European Championships.
    1954 Bolzano
  • Large and impressive, the participant medal from the 1955 European Championships is memorable.
    1955 Budapest – Participant Medal
  • A flag border and the Vienna Skating Club facade decorates the 1957 European Championships pin.
    1957 Vienna
  • The official's pin with warm gold border commemorates the 1960 European Championships.
    1960 Garmisch–Partenkirchen – Official
  • 1961 European Figure Skating competitor pin.
    1961 Berlin – Competitor
  • A snowflake shape defines the 1963 European Championships logo pin.
    1963 Budapest
  • Often considered the most beautiful European Championships pin, the 1964 example shines in gold.
    1964 Grenoble
  • Bratislava hosted the 1966 European Championships, where this pin was issued.
    1966 Bratislava
  • ISU delegate pin from the 1967 Europeans.
    1967 Ljubljana – ISU
  • The loop compulsory figure makes a charming 1968 European Championships pin.
    1968 Vasteras
  • German design is evident in the 1969 Garmisch Partenkirchen pin.
    1969 Garmisch–Partenkirchen
  • Members of the press wore this brightly colored pin at the 1971 Zurich event
    1971 Zurich – Press
  • 1973 European Championships awarded this ISU delegate pin.
    1973 Cologne – ISU
  • Logo pin commemorating the 1974 European Championships.
    1974 Zagreb
  • Members of the press received this lapel pin at the 1975 Copenhagen event.
    1975 Copenhagen – Press
  • Swiss design sensibility shines through in the 1976 Geneva pin.
    1976 Geneva
  • In Lyon, coaches wore this large pin at the European Championships.
    1982 Lyon – Coach
  • EM 1985, held in Gothenburg, Sweden.
    1985 Gothenburg

A More Nuanced Collecting Landscape

Although the global spotlight often falls on World Championships, European Figure Skating Championships pins offer a different—and in many ways richer—collecting experience. The Europeans have been hosted by a wide range of cities, from historic cultural centers to lesser-known locales, each bringing its own design language to the event’s official memorabilia. This diversity results in pins that can vary dramatically in style, from understated and elegant to bold and highly stylized to cold and lifeless (see the 1970 European Championships pins as an example).

Unlike some World Championships pins, which often emphasize prestige and uniformity, European pins more often reflect regional character or even subtle political statements. For collectors, this creates an opportunity to build a collection that feels both cohesive and delightfully varied.

An Enduring Appeal

The peak of figure skating pin collecting in the 1980s extended to European events as well, where trading and collecting flourished among attendees. Today, while that vibrant exchange culture has faded, the pins themselves remain—small but powerful artifacts of competition, culture, and craftsmanship.

Pins from European Figure Skating Championships

1955 European Figure Skating Pins: Behind the Iron Curtain.
1970 European Figure Skating Pins: Lacking in Character.
1971 European Figure Skating Pins: Sense and Sensibility.
1957 European Figure Skating Pin and Medal: A River Runs Through It.
1979 European Figure Skating Pins: Good Things Come in Threes.
1964 European Figure Skating Pins: Olympic Dress Rehearsal.

The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins Story

Be sure to read the museum story for more information about the sport’s pins. If you have a question or have figure skating pins to sell, contact The Netropolitan.

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