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Whether you were proclaiming allegiance to a political cause or to your favourite band, the 1970s ensured that no denim jacket went without a cluster of badges pinned to every available surface.

Cheap, mass-produced and throwaway, the badge was the ubiquitous fashion accessory telling the world at a glance just who you were and what you stood for.

But who would have thought that, among its priceless antiquities, the British Museum should house a collection of some 12,000 badges? This small exhibition shows a tiny fraction of the archive, and though you might immediately recognise some (the CND logo and iconic Blue Peter badge), you'll also spot much rarer finds.

The first religious 'badges', for instance, were medieval and made cheaply from base metal, while other early examples show ongoing dialogues between warring factions. One badge supporting suffragette hunger-strikers sits beside another advocating the National League For Opposing Women's Suffrage.

Behind the production of many of the badges lie some interesting tales. The VW badge, for example, was produced by the carmaker in response to the craze for ripping off VW logos from cars to imitate US rappers The Beastie Boys.

Mike D wore the clunky logo on a chain but the lightweight, plastic option offered no substitute. Outside the odd political campaign, badges are now rarely seen. But to those who still cling to the idea that they make a difference, the 'Badges Are Not Enough' badge should just about say it all.

Until Jan 16, British Museum, Great Russell Street WC1, daily 10am to 5.30pm, free. Tel: 020 7323 8299. Tube: Holborn