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Metal Medal or Button Badge? Reading Size, Material and Fittings on a Listing
A character metal medal is made differently from a button badge or a pin badge. Learn how to check the stated size, material, fittings and pre-order release date before you buy.
Written by Koetsu Co., Ltd.
Character merchandise includes many round metal items: button badges (kan badges), pin badges and metal medals. The names sound alike, but they differ in construction, weight and whether you can wear them. Here is what to check on a listing so the item matches what you expect.
How a button badge is made
According to the badge maker Badge-man.net, a button badge has two parts: a front shell and a back part. A printed paper design sits on the shell and is covered with a clear film.
The most common base material is tinplate, which is easy to shape and prints well, but the same source notes that rust can start where the plating is damaged. The back is often a safety pin, though clips, magnets and other fittings also exist.
Pin badges and other metal goods
Kan Badge Seisakuya explains that a button badge is hollow inside, while a pin badge is a flat, coin-like metal plate with a pin in the centre, made with a wide range of finishing methods.
There is no fixed standard for what a "metal medal" is. Some have a pin and can be worn; others are made purely for display. Do not judge by the name alone: check the description and photos for any pin, stand or other accessory.
Checking a real listing
As an example, we checked the Homura Akemi metal medal from the Madoka Magica 15th anniversary special exhibition, listed by our shop Loop KOBE on Mercari Shops, on 1 October 2026. The description states a diameter of about 50mm and zinc alloy as the material, which differs from the tinplate typically used for button badges.
It is a pre-order item. The page showed a release date of 15 October 2026, orders accepted from 24 September to 14 October, and shipping planned one to two days after release. Release dates for pre-orders can be postponed, so read the notes on the page as well.
The description says the pictures are product images, so the colour and finish of the item you receive may look different. It also does not mention a pin, stand or other fitting. If that matters to you, use "Ask about this item" on the listing before you buy.
| What to check | Where to look | What this listing shows |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Description | About 50mm in diameter |
| Material | Description | Zinc alloy |
| Pin or accessories | Description, or ask the shop | Not stated |
| Release and shipping | Item details | Released 15 Oct 2026; ships 1–2 days after release |
| Pictures | Note in the description | Product images |
Storing and displaying
Metal goods scratch easily when they rub against other metal or hard objects. Once your item arrives, store each piece separately in a bag or case somewhere dry. With tinplate button badges, damaged plating can lead to rust.
Stock, price and release date can change after publication, so always check the current listing. This article does not certify authenticity or rarity. It was edited by Koetsu Co., Ltd. after checking the listing and each source on 1 October 2026.
