I'm selling these defective pins at less than cost! They don't meet my standards for even C grade so I'm selling them to those who may want to modify them or who don't mind the defects, since otherwise they would just be discarded and I think that's a waste.
Most of these pins have major plating issues, which means the gold plating did not adhere to the underlying zinc metal during the plating process or the plating was not correctly applied, meaning there are lots of dots of the dark silver metal color of the zinc showing through where there should be gold. Other issues these pins may have are large chunks of enamel missing, or major flaws. Some are worse than others but please only purchase if you are okay with major flaws.
✵ GRADING
A GRADE pins are perfect or close to perfect. Since all pins are handmade, there may be small flaws. These are only noticeable on close inspection. Some flaws that you might see on an A grade pin:
small scratches on the enamel or plating small dents in the enamel that are only visible when turned a certain way toward a light source minor bubbles in the enamel imperfections on the back or sides of the pin
B GRADE pins have noticeable imperfections. Some flaws that you might see on a B grade pin:
longer or deeper scratches on the enamel or plating longer or deeper dents in the enamel noticeable bubbles in the enamel small black dots or other specks small areas of missing enamel mild smudges and staining overpolished metal
C GRADE pins have flaws as mentioned above but they are either more obvious or more numerous. These pins are heavily discounted as a result.
