A Complete History of CS:GO & CS2 Collectible Pins
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Physical Origins: Pins started as physical blind-bag merchandise sold exclusively at CS:GO Major tournaments.
- Genuine vs. Standard: "Genuine" pins come from physical codes, have a green border in-game, and are untradable. Standard pins are unboxed from in-game capsules and can be traded on the Steam Market.
- Series: There are currently three main Collectible Pin series, plus the Half-Life: Alyx promotional pins.
- Prestige: Genuine pins, especially rare ones like the Howl or Guardian Elite, are considered massive flexes due to their scarcity and high real-world cost.
The Physical Origins (Major Tournaments)
"Genuine" vs. Standard Pins
Genuine Pins
- Origin: Acquired exclusively by redeeming a code from a physical pin purchase.
- Appearance: Denoted by a Green border around the item in your inventory and the word "Genuine" in the title.
- Tradability: Untradable and unmarketable. Once applied to an account, it is locked there permanently. (The physical codes, however, can be sold or traded before redemption).
Standard Pins
- Origin: Unboxed from in-game Collectible Pin Capsules, which can be purchased directly in the CS2 client.
- Appearance: Standard border based on rarity (Blue, Purple, Pink, Red).
- Tradability: Fully tradable and sellable on the Steam Community Market.
Breakdown of the Pin Series
| Pin Series | Release Era | Notable Rare Pins (Covert/Classified) |
|---|---|---|
| Series 1 | 2015-2016 | Guardian Elite, Dust II, Tactics, Mirage |
| Series 2 | 2016-2017 | Valeria, Chroma, Bloodhound, Cache |
| Series 3 | 2018-present | Howl, Welcome to the Clutch, Guardian 3 |
| Half-Life: Alyx | 2020 | Alyx, Civil Protection, Combine Helmet |
Series 1: The Classics
Series 2: Expansion
Series 3: The Modern Era
Half-Life: Alyx Pins
The Investment Case: Are Pins Worth Buying?
- Unredeemed Physical Codes: The real money lies in unredeemed physical codes for Genuine pins (especially Series 1 and the Howl pin). Because they are finite and no longer actively produced, these codes appreciate in value. However, selling them is risky as it relies on trust transactions outside of the Steam ecosystem.
- In-Game Capsule Pins: Standard pins are generally poor investments. Because players can endlessly open in-game capsules, the supply is effectively infinite. Prices for standard pins remain relatively flat, hovering around the cost of the capsule divided by the odds of unboxing them.
- Niche Appeal: Pins are a niche collector's item. They don't affect gameplay and are only visible on the scoreboard and main menu profile. They don't have the same mass appeal or liquidity as a high-tier knife or glove.
