Bid pins are perhaps the most varied Olympic pins available to collectors. They are certainly finding a popularity that wasn't enjoyed prior to the 1996 Atlanta bid. Starting with those, candidate cities began producing promotional pins in earnest. Not only were they simple and effective ways to promote their bid, but they were a source of pride and excitement across the prospective host nation. Many were perhaps motivated by the seemingly insatiable demand for them around the world.

There is a 3-stage process which lasts for many months. Each stage is a logical building block for the next.

Applicant City: The National Olympic Committee-NOC proposes selection, along with an official letter from the specific city, directly to the International Olympic Committee-IOC. An extensive questionnaire covering the city's plan for the Games is completed and returned to the IOC for study. This phase lasts about one year, during which various committees determine the city's potential to actually organize an effective Olympics. Federations play an important part by determining if the sports venues available and planned meet minimum competition requirements.

Candidate City: From these studies the IOC Executive Board selects a limited number of Candidate Cities. During this second phase a comprehensive file is created containing much more specific data and submitted to the IOC. An Evaluation Committee is formed including International Federations, NOCs, various IOC entities, and members of the International Paralympic Committee. Host cities will host not only the Olympics, but the Paralympic as well. During this phase members of the Evaluation Committee make personal inspection visits to the cities. Candidate cities produce a lot of promotional material and media events to generate interest in their countries. This phase can also last about a year.

Host City: The IOC Executive Board submits a short list of usually between 4-8 of which met the criteria as a Host City to the IOC for election. Presentations by each Candidate City are made to the general assembly of IOC members who choose the Host City by ballot. These sessions are always held in a neutral site; that is, a city not being considered during the session. IOC members can't vote if their nation has a Candidate City. If a Candidate City doesn't receive a majority of votes on the first ballot, the city with the lowest vote total is eliminated. This continues until one gets a majority of votes. The selection usually occurs seven years before the event date. London was selected to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games during the 117th Session in Singapore, held from July 6-9, 2005.

Bid Pins

Since the IOC grants the right for the use of the Olympic Rings, NOCs and bid cities usually begin producing pins during the Applicant City phase. Pins are always produced during the Candidate City phase. These are specifically designed as internal use promotional items for the city.

Sometimes a host city will change their logo during each phase of the selection process. Atlanta's logo evolved through several stages.

Salt Lake City kept their famous 'upside down Y' through two successive bid cycles.

It is fairly rare for a bid city to keep their logo as the official Games Mark after selection as the Host City. Beijing chose to use the same basic character-Jing as the bid logo and Games Mark.

What to Collect

Styles for bid pins are as varied as the cities, nations, and cultures they represent. The best of the bid pins are as well designed, colorful, and detailed as the finest NOCs. Some are pretty simple, and some are downright ugly.

If you have already begun a bid pin collection, you know that the older the pin is you need, the harder it is to find. Right after a bid cycle is completed and a Host City is selected, the bid pins bring premium prices. Prices are also high as bid cities initially offer them. I have never concentrated on them and have always had an eclectic collection. I had an opportunity to buy 100 particular Atlanta bid pins in 1996 for $1 per pin. Of course I passed it up because I thought they would always be around and maybe at a better price. Wrong! The same pin now sells for well over $10 if you can find it at all. Just because Beijing, Vancouver, and London bid pins are now available at good prices and in abundance, does not mean they will be as easy to get later.

What to Pay

If you find a recent pin you want try letting the market determine value for you. Search eBay, including ended auctions, current auctions, Buy it Now, and Stores. I might pay $3 for a common pin I especially like. In two or three years I might have to pay double that. These will almost always increase in value over time. 

Are bid pins from winning cities more valuable than from losing cities? I don't think so. Frontrunners know that they are frontrunners and usually make more pins. Some of the most desirable pins are from cities not getting the bid. If you see only one specific bid pin in your searches on eBay, chances are it's a pretty rare find. If you see 42 you still might want to buy it. The very commonality of them could save you a few dollars. Happy collecting!