Pin Trader Sites
Ebay Auctions - Hundreds of Lions Club pins and memorabilia can be bought and sold here on a daily basis. This is by far the most popular site for buying and selling pins. If you really want a particular pin it will eventually show up here.
Pin Swaps - This is the LITPC "Pin Trading Events" webpage. This webpage does a good job keeping up to date on when/where major pin swaps are going to be held and has printable registration forms when available. Some of the forms can be filled out on the screen and printed out for easier registering.
Pin Manufacturers - LCI has adopted a policy under which individual Lions, Lions Clubs, Lions Districts (single, sub- or multiple) may order trading pins directly from licensed suppliers. LCI feels that this procedure will be for the ultimate benefit of all Lions. Only certain suppliers have been licensed by LCI to provide convention trading pins bearing the official Lions emblem. If you wish to order convention trading pins, you may deal directly with one or more of these licensed suppliers by clicking the above heading.
Variation Definitions - The number of pin variations identified has grown to the point that some definition/classification is needed. These definitions represents my views and are used throughout this website and handbooks.
Miscellaneous Websites - Here are several additional sites that may be of interest: (click underlined headings)
~ Flags - Many initial Friendship pins have no Country identifier except for their national flag. This website has an excellent listing of all Country Flags and has been useful in identifying the correct origin of many pins.
~ Fraternal Organizations Listing - A complete listing of abbreviations for fraternal orders and organizations; with slogans and mottoes. Good source for helping to identify those pins that look like early Lions Club issues but only have letters in the name versus the Lions emblem.
~ Lions 'Club' Locator - LCI locator which enables searches by: Club Name; State/Province; or Country. Can be used for finding out if the Club listed on a pin still exits or what State/MD it belongs to.
Other Sources of Interest - Here are non-electronic sources that may be of interest:
~ Display Cases - The Indian River Display Case Company produces the most common display cases observed housing pin trader collections. The cases are of black chipboard with glass fronts and pins to secure the lid. I've found the cases very useful and the company easy to deal with over the telephone 1-800-444-1280.