Personally, it is the only way I will take them. I have heard stories of pins mysteriously disappearing out of checked luggage...
They are an investment and there is a decent market for reselling them so personally, I wouldn't want to make my collection vulernable to theft.
BTW, I've never had a problem taking my as carry on and I have a pretty substanial collection but I take them in a rolling carryon sized suitcase.
Good Luck and Happy Pin Trading!!!