The 10 Best Vintage Political Campaign Buttons to Collect in 2027

1. Pre-1920 Celluloid Pinbacks

Pre-1920 celluloid pinbacks rank first because they represent the artistic and technical peak of the medium, produced in the smallest quantities of any major category. The manufacturing process, patented in the mid-1890s, was expensive per unit, limiting production runs. Their survival rate is often under one percent, as they were worn outdoors and discarded after elections. Sharp lithographic registration and intact back paper distinguish these pieces, with strong examples reaching the mid three figures and beyond.

This category is for the serious collector who prioritizes scarcity and condition over volume. It trades away affordability, as even mediocre examples command significant prices, and requires careful authentication against reproductions. Compared to mid-century jugates, pre-1920 pinbacks offer far greater appreciation potential but demand a substantially larger initial budget. Patience is essential, as finding mint examples with documented provenance is rare and highly competitive.

2. Presidential Jugate Buttons

Presidential jugates rank second because the two-portrait format is the single most consistently desirable design category in political memorabilia. Mid-century examples offer the best balance of availability and appreciation, with desirable pieces in excellent condition climbing into the high two figures and low three figures. The format's premium over single-portrait buttons is well-established, and multicolor jugates outperform two-color designs. This sustained demand across decades makes jugates a reliable anchor for any serious collection.

This category suits collectors building a substantial holding without a substantial budget, as it offers more accessible entry points than pre-1920 pinbacks. It trades away the extreme scarcity of earlier pieces for greater liquidity and a deeper market. Compared to pre-1920 celluloid, jugates are easier to authenticate and grade, but their appreciation potential is more modest. They serve as a strong foundation for a collection, providing both historical significance and steady value growth.

3. Third-Party Candidate Buttons

Third-party candidate buttons rank third because movements that never reached the White House produced buttons in small numbers, and their ideologically committed supporters often kept them. This combination of low production and high retention creates interesting price behavior, as survival rates are unusually high relative to initial output. The scarcity is real, yet these pieces remain undervalued compared to major-party material. Collectors can acquire genuinely rare pieces without competing against the broader presidential memorabilia market.

This category is for collectors who appreciate historical underdogs and want to own pieces with compelling stories. It trades away the immediate recognition of famous names for authentic scarcity and narrative depth. Compared to presidential jugates, third-party buttons offer better value for the rarity achieved, but they have a thinner collector base, making resale less predictable. This is a category for the patient specialist who values uniqueness over mainstream appeal.

4. Losing-Candidate Buttons

Losing-candidate buttons rank fourth because winners' buttons were saved as trophies while losers' pieces were frequently discarded after election day. This skews survival rates sharply toward the winner, making the loser's pieces often scarcer despite similar original production. The value mechanism here is structural: scarcity driven by disposal behavior, not just production numbers. A button from a forgotten gubernatorial primary can be genuinely rare because nobody thought it was worth saving.

This category is for collectors who understand that famous elections often produce common buttons, while forgotten races yield rarities. It trades away the prestige of owning winner memorabilia for the advantage of acquiring scarcer items at lower prices. Compared to third-party buttons, losing-candidate material from major parties has a broader collector base, offering better liquidity. It rewards research into historical elections and a willingness to look beyond the most commemorated campaigns.

5. Local Race Buttons

Local race buttons rank fifth because down-ballot races produced the smallest print runs of anything in the hobby, sometimes just a few hundred pieces. They are undervalued relative to their scarcity, mostly because no national collector base competes for them. This is the category where patient regional specialists build genuinely rare holdings on modest budgets. The scarcity is real and the competition is minimal, making it the most reliable path to assembling a rare collection.

This category is for the regional specialist who enjoys deep research and local history. It trades away the excitement of national campaigns for the satisfaction of uncovering true rarities. Compared to losing-candidate buttons, local race material offers even better value for the scarcity achieved, but with a thinner resale market. It rewards persistence at estate sales and flea markets, where these pieces often hide in shoeboxes, waiting for a knowledgeable buyer.

6. Cause Movement Buttons

Cause movement buttons rank sixth because they sit at the intersection of political collecting and social-history collecting, broadening the buyer pool considerably. Suffrage, labor, civil rights, and prohibition repeal buttons attract both political memorabilia enthusiasts and institutional buyers. Museum and institutional interest supports the floor here in a way it does not for routine candidate material. This dual demand creates a more stable market with sustained interest across decades.

This category is for collectors who value historical significance beyond electoral outcomes and appreciate the social impact of these movements. It trades away the specific focus of candidate material for a wider appeal that can drive stronger long-term value. Compared to local race buttons, cause buttons have a larger and more diverse collector base, offering better liquidity. They are ideal for collectors who want their collection to tell a broader story about American history and social change.

7. Coattail Candidate Buttons

Coattail candidate buttons rank seventh because they pair a presidential candidate with a state or local candidate on the same piece, limiting production to one geography and making them structurally scarce. They appeal simultaneously to presidential collectors and regional specialists, creating dual demand. This combination of limited production and overlapping collector interest drives value above comparable single-race pieces. The scarcity is inherent to the format, as production was inherently capped by the regional scope of the down-ballot race.

This category is for collectors who appreciate the intersection of national and local politics and enjoy the challenge of geographic specialization. It trades away the simplicity of single-candidate pieces for a more complex and historically rich artifact. Compared to cause movement buttons, coattail buttons have a narrower appeal but offer more consistent scarcity. They are a smart addition for collectors looking to diversify their holdings with pieces that have built-in provenance and a clear story.

8. Novelty Mechanical Buttons

Novelty mechanical buttons rank eighth because flashers, fold-over tabs, and die-cut shapes survive poorly, making intact examples punch above their production numbers. Moving or attached parts break easily, so the survival rate for pristine pieces is exceptionally low. This structural scarcity drives value for collectors who prize unusual formats. The design desirability premium for mechanical elements is well-established, adding another layer of demand beyond simple scarcity.

This category is for collectors who appreciate the inventive and playful side of political memorabilia and enjoy the challenge of finding intact examples. It trades away the historical gravitas of traditional buttons for a unique aesthetic appeal. Compared to coattail buttons, novelty pieces have a smaller collector base but offer higher scarcity for the condition achieved. They are ideal for collectors who want to showcase the creativity of campaign design and own pieces that stand out in any collection.

9. Convention Delegate Badges

Convention delegate badges rank ninth because production is inherently capped by the size of the delegation, and many were officially numbered, providing built-in provenance. These badges were issued to credentialed attendees, making them exclusive by design. The official numbering adds a layer of authentication that is rare in other categories. Their scarcity is guaranteed by the limited number of delegates at each convention, and their historical significance is tied to pivotal moments in party politics.

This category is for collectors who value official provenance and the story of party conventions. It trades away the visual appeal of candidate portraits for the prestige of official credentials. Compared to novelty mechanical buttons, delegate badges offer more reliable authentication and a clearer historical narrative. They are a strong choice for collectors who want pieces with documented chain of custody and a direct connection to the political process.

10. Foreign Election Buttons

Foreign election buttons rank tenth because this is a thin market with fewer competing buyers, which can mean genuine bargains for a collector willing to research an unfamiliar field. The scarcity of these pieces is often real, as foreign campaigns typically produced smaller quantities than American ones. The lack of competition allows knowledgeable collectors to acquire rare items at prices below their intrinsic value. This category rewards specialized research and offers a unique opportunity to build a distinctive collection.

This category is for the adventurous collector who enjoys exploring unfamiliar political landscapes and is willing to invest time in research. It trades away the liquidity of American political memorabilia for the potential of discovering undervalued rarities. Compared to convention delegate badges, foreign buttons have a much thinner market, making resale less predictable. However, for a collector with specific knowledge, this is the category where the best bargains can be found.

How we ranked these

Our ranking methodology measured four weighted variables: scarcity (production quantity vs. survival rate), condition (graded on a strict scale from mint to poor), design desirability (jugates, multicolor, novelties), and provenance (documented chain of custody). Each category was scored on these factors, with scarcity and condition weighted most heavily. We then cross-referenced completed auction sales and reference catalogs to validate price ranges and collector demand.

We deliberately ignored the fame of the candidate or election as a primary filter, because famous races often produced common, well-preserved buttons. We also excluded subjective aesthetic preferences and unverifiable anecdotal claims from sellers. Our focus remained on structural, market-driven factors that reliably predict long-term value, rather than transient trends or emotional appeal.

Related questions

How do I tell a celluloid button from a lithographed one?

Celluloid buttons have a thin clear film over paper, wrapped around a metal disc and secured by a rim collet—the edge feels layered. Lithographed buttons are printed directly onto metal, so the design and surface are one continuous piece with no visible rim wrap. This distinction is crucial for dating and valuing.

Does back paper always confirm authenticity?

No. Back paper is strong supporting evidence—manufacturer names and union marks help date a piece—but it can be missing on genuine buttons and faked on reproductions. Treat it as one input alongside collet construction, print quality under magnification, and catalog comparison.

Are modern campaign buttons worth keeping?

Most will not appreciate, because production volumes are enormous. Exceptions are limited-run local issues, official convention credentials, and designs pulled from circulation early. If you keep modern material, keep it mint and keep the documentation.

What is the best starting budget for a new collector?

Enough to buy two or three genuinely good pieces rather than thirty mediocre ones. Concentration beats accumulation. Many strong collections started with a single quality purchase and a year of patient study before the second.

Should I grade buttons through a third-party service?

Third-party grading is far less established here than in coins or cards. Most serious political-memorabilia buyers assess condition themselves or trust a specialist auction house's description, so encapsulation adds cost without reliably adding value.

What is the most common mistake new collectors make?

Buying names instead of scarcity. The famous campaign is often the common button because everyone kept souvenirs. A forgotten gubernatorial primary can be genuinely rare because nobody thought it was worth saving. Focus on survival rates, not celebrity.

How should I store vintage political buttons?

Store in archival, acid-free materials in a climate-controlled interior space—never an attic, garage, or basement. Avoid PVC-containing plastics, which off-gas and damage celluloid. Keep pieces out of direct sunlight, which fades inks permanently. Humidity causes foxing.

What is a jugate button?

A jugate shows two portraits, typically the presidential and vice-presidential nominees. This format commands a premium over single-portrait pieces of the same campaign. Mid-century jugates offer the best combination of availability and appreciation.

FAQ

What makes a vintage political campaign button valuable?

Value emerges from the interaction of scarcity, condition, design desirability, and provenance. Scarcity is the base multiplier, condition is the primary modifier, design desirability adds aesthetic premiums, and provenance removes doubt. These factors compound, so a rare design in poor condition may be worth less than a common design in mint condition.

How do I check if a button is a reproduction?

Examine the back paper for period-correct manufacturer marks, check that the collet and pin assembly match the era, and compare the piece to reference-catalog photographs at high magnification. Modern reproductions frequently show dot-matrix printing patterns under magnification that period lithography does not.

What is the best way to assess condition from online photos?

Request raking-light photographs taken at an angle, plus a clear image of the reverse. Online photographs routinely hide foxing, hairline cracks, and rim rust. A seller unwilling to provide them is telling you something.

Should I clean a vintage political button?

No. Attempting to clean celluloid removes surface gloss permanently and can lift the printed layer entirely. Rust removal on the rim usually spreads staining into the paper underneath. Original surface, even flawed, beats a cleaned surface every time.

What are the best categories for building a rare collection on a budget?

Local and down-ballot races—mayor, county commissioner, sheriff, state legislature—were produced in the smallest quantities, sometimes a few hundred pieces. They are undervalued relative to their scarcity because no national collector base competes for them. Regional specialization is the most reliable path.

How do I sanity-check an asking price?

Check completed sales, not active listings, and look at a minimum of five comparable sales. Normalize for condition—a very good piece may be worth sixty to eighty percent less than a near-mint one. Check reference catalogs for design numbers, and weigh auction premiums against fees.

What is the difference between mint and very good condition?

Mint means as-made, no flaws. Near mint allows the faintest imperfection visible only under angled light. Excellent permits minor edge wear or a small spot. Very good shows visible handling. The gap between mint and very good on the same design is routinely a five-to-ten-times price difference.

Why are losing-candidate buttons often more valuable?

Winners' buttons were saved as trophies; losers' buttons were frequently discarded in the days after the election. Survival rates skew sharply toward the winner, which means the loser's pieces are often scarcer despite similar original production. This scarcity drives value.

What should I document for each button in my collection?

Record where it came from, what you paid, what condition you assessed, and any provenance the seller supplied. This protects resale value, supports insurance claims, and makes you a better buyer over time. Institutional collections do this rigorously; private collectors rarely do.

Do I need special insurance for my button collection?

Once a collection passes a few thousand dollars in aggregate value, standard homeowner's coverage for personal property is usually inadequate. A scheduled personal property rider or a specialist collectibles policy is inexpensive relative to the exposure, and it requires exactly the documentation you should already be keeping.

Sources

• https://www.heritageauctions.com/category/strategies/political-memorabilia
• https://www.si.edu/spotlight/political-buttons
• https://www.loc.gov/collections/political-campaign-memorabilia/
• https://www.ha.com/c/auction-results/political.shtml
• https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/30/arts/design/political-buttons-collecting.html
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-art-of-political-buttons-180975000/
• https://www.etsy.com/market/vintage_political_buttons
• https://www.ebay.com/b/Political-Memorabilia-Buttons/13965/bn_7116890767

Related on PULSE

• [More vintage political campaign buttons to collect rankings and buying guides](/knowledge)
• [PULSE Tools and calculators](/tools)
• [Everything on PULSE RevOps](/)