New WWTBAM Hotseat 4000 Pt Pin - A true variation?

[jeffo4him]

Hi, I had a question and I know that this is the place that can probably answer it. You are no doubt familiar with the hotseat winner pins that can be won from the Disney MGM "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire - Play It!" attraction. In the last month, the 4,000 pin - and only the 4.000 pin - has had a black "Mickey" back to it instead of the normal metal back. My question is this, and please don't flame me too much if its a stupid question... does this make this pin, unopened in its original packaging, a separate (and rarer) variation of the 4,000 point pin? Or is this just splitting hairs? The pins are otherwise identical so far as I can tell.

My son won one and I advised him to leave it in the bag until we know for sure.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

JMO, but I don't think the back -- whether it be metal, black rubber, or black rubber Mickey head -- has any affect on the tradability or rarity of the pin. Pin backs can be easily interchanged, and Disney has eased away from the metal backs in favor of the rubber backs, and the Mickey head backs are showing up more and more.

Pins are the one collectible where not being in the original packaging or on the original card affects the desirability. That's not to say there aren't those who prefer the original packaging, but for the most part, it won't matter if the package is unopened or not.