The badges were positioned outside the library in Centenary Square alongside the Raging Bull from the Opening Ceremony and reflected the tradition of exchanging pin badges during the Games.

"The Commonwealth Games were a huge part of Birmingham's Golden Decade of Opportunity," Birmingham Council leader Ian Ward said.

"We, as the Proud Host City, want to thank all of the competing nations and territories for the huge part they played in what many say were the best Games ever.

"The thousands of athletes and officials that came to Birmingham this summer were at the core of an unforgettable celebration of the city, its people and its culture."

The badges are now to be presented in special boxes fashioned from wood reclaimed after use during the Games. 

These have been made by Birmingham Case Makers Limited, a company based in the Nechells area of the city.

The boxes have deliberately been left in their raw state to highlight the origin of the materials.

"it was very meaningful and incredibly special to be able to play a small part in that by supplying the boxes for these badges," Birmingham Case Makers managing director Shaun Adams said.

The screws to fasten the boxes have been supplied by Forward Fastener Manufacturing, another Birmingham firm.

The move to give such a memento follows the gesture by London 2012, when each competing nation was given a petal from the cauldron which had held the Olympic Flame.