"Tinnies" is the collector term for an immense variety of small badges intended to be worn on military uniforms, or even more commonly on civilian clothes. They are also called day badges or propaganda badges because they were often sold to finance official meetings, rallies or events. For instance, for less than one Reichsmark someone attending one of the large annual Reichsparteitag (Reich Party Day) celebrations in Nürnberg could have a patriotic badge to wear, and the Nazi Party gained revenue. Or someone who contributed to the annual Winter Relief drive could receive a small badge for their contribution. The badges were not unique to the Third Reich; similar badges have been used in a number of European countries, and could even be compared to campaign and other political badges in the United States. Third Reich "tinnies" were not necessarily made of tin (in fact, few were) or even of metal. Plastic, pressed paper and ceramic were sometimes used. Collecting Third Reich tinnies is popular because the badges are relatively plentiful and inexpensive, are often attractive, and represent specific events or periods of history.
