To set the tone, get dressed for the part. What would be more appropriate than a suit made specifically for Barack Obama during the campaign? To show that you never know where you’ll come across a significant collectible, this great find was discovered by a shopper at a bargain store in New York. A tag bearing Obama’s name was stitched in the inside coat pocket attesting to its authenticity. Its value has not been determined because no similar suit has been auctioned to date. However, it is estimated to be worth from $5,000 to the low five figures.

Naturally, you will want to complement your new suit with a set of cobalt-blue-and-gold presidential-style cuff links in its own leather presentation box. On the reverse is a bas-relief signature of Barack Obama, just perfect for your inaugural party at $250 a set or a lapel pin for $150.

Obama cuff links

Plates with a smiling Santa Claus obviously won’t fit your theme. Instead, consider setting your table with official inaugural plates. They cost $82 each and have a startling navy-blue-and-gold pattern with the official inaugural seal in gold.

2009 inaugural plate

When it’s time, bring out a wonderfully colorful, etched bottle of Mumm Champagne. Limited to only 200 individually numbered bottles, bearing the red-white-and-blue campaign logo with the inauguration date of Jan. 20, 2009, is an unusual collectible starting at $300. Add the gold-etched set of four Champagne flutes for $60 or a set of etched rocks glasses, too, featuring the presidential seal and the etched signature of the 44th president of the United States. A matched decanter with the gold-embossed presidential seal rounds out a perfect set for $75.

Obama Champagne

Decanter and flute

Caution alert: Lest you get carried away in the headiness of the festivities, be sure to buy a back-up bottle or two of bubbly for toasting purposes, otherwise you’ll drink your collectible’s value.

Decorate your inaugural table with the cross-cut crystal vase adorned with the presidential seal and signature of Barack Obama in gold for $75. I don’t know if President Obama has a favorite flower is, but it will look just as presidential filled with your favorite. Or you might go with some patriotic red, white and blue carnations.

Obama vase

Once the party’s over, store your cuff links and lapel pin in a hardwood replica of the Oval Office desk, similar in design to the original given to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria of England and used by most presidents ever since. The original desk, the one that John-John Kennedy famously played under, is priceless, but your wooden replica box is much more affordable at $125.

Oval Office desk replica

Of course, there are other collectibles to be had. Every inauguration brings out the best in artists and artisans. Issuing an official inaugural medal has been tradition since 1901 when William McKinley took office. This year, Mark Mellon, a Connecticut artist, was asked to create the bas-relief image of Barack Obama for the 2009 official inaugural medal.

“There were times when I was sculpting when I literally had tears in my eyes,” Mellon said, “just knowing the magnitude of the moment. As an artist, to have just a little bit of input in how we celebrate this president is a huge honor—a huge honor and a big responsibility.”

To truly commemorate the occasion, purchase the complete set of gold, silver and bronze medals in its own presentation box for $3,000. Or you can purchase an individual bronze for $70 and a sterling silver version for $400.

Inaugural medals

To see other great and wonderful gifts (and future heirlooms) that honor our 44th president on the day of his inauguration, visit Worthologist Jim Warlick’s Official Souvenirs site.

P.S. And don’t forget to buy food and beverages for the party.

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

Everyone has treasures in their garage or attic – items they are not sure what to do with but hate to let go. How do you know whether your treasures are antiques or collectibles or simply of sentimental value? You could go to an event like the one held recently in Manassas, Virginia – where Worthologists and other experts examined and evaluated treasures. You can also look your item up in WorthPoint’s data base, called the Worthopedia, which provides recent prices from hundreds of auction houses. Worthologist Tom Carrier demonstrates the process.

WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Collectibles from the civil-rights pillar who would not move

She was that resolute little woman who refused to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Ala., bus. Rosa Parks’ act of courage gave impetus to the civil-rights movement. The Associated Press reports that her personal items—including the Presidential Medal of Freedom she received from Bill Clinton and her hats —will be auctioned off to settle a feud among her heirs. The sale of these historical collectibles will be handled by Guernsey’s auction house in New York.

Collectibles coins salute Lady Justice

The United States Mint got around to announcing this week that it has been taking orders for the 2008 American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Coin since July 1. This is the last in a three-year collectibles series honoring the judiciary. A 1/10-ounce coin can be purchased for $259.95. The complete four-coin set is being sold for $4,289.95.

Singer James Brown not the King of Christie’s

After much bickering among business administrators and heirs, James “The King of Soul” Brown’s 350 collectibles went on the block July 15 at Christie’s. This wide-ranging collection had such memorabilia as hair curlers and a green-vinyl couch. The New York Times placed the original estimate at between $1 million and $2 million. Reuters reports disappointing results of only $800,000.

Mandela’s birthday stamp

Nelson Mandela has been called the world’s only living secular saint for his battle against apartheid in South Africa and injustice throughout the world. According to StampNews.com , his native country is issuing a limited-run stamp honoring him on his 90th birthday.

Buyer beware when buying art on board

In a sobering caveat-emptor article, The New York Times examines the dangers of purchasing art on cruise ships. One unwitting buyer spent more than $24,000 on a Picasso print that Sotheby’s had sold a few year earlier for a little more than $6,000.

I came into possession of two pins or badges that I inherited from a relative’s estate. They were acquired in England sometime during World War Two. Any information that anyone may have concerning these would be appreciated.

The first is a cross-shaped badge (about 3″ across) that is gold plated or enameled, has colored gems or glass on the wings of the cross, and has a circular center bearing the busts of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The inscription around the busts reads in latin, “Victoria Regina Magnae Britanniae Albertus Dux Saxoniae.” On the obverse side, there is a depiction of a male and female couple seated in a chariot being pulled by what appear to be two angels. Also, there are two angels above the couple holding circular objects (perhaps wreaths or crowns?). Around this depiction there are words that say, “Felices Quos Jungit Amor” and “Die X.M. February MDCCCXI” Last statement is somewhat faded.

Second item is a brooch or pin that bears a coat of arms featuring a lion on the left and either a horse or salamander (can’t really tell which) on right, a shield in the center that says “Honni Soit Qui Mal Y Pense” (Supposed to be an Order of the Garter motto), a crown atop the shield and some words inscribed below the shield (which are somewhat faded) — “Dieuet Mon Droit” The words are faded in that phrase, so that’s what I can best make out. The coat of arms is mounted on a circular, black background, and from the outer perimeter of the circle there protrudes a number of alternating short and long gold spikes, giving the whole badge the appearance of a sun with rays.

If anyone has any ideas as to what these items may be, I would appreciate your help. Photos of these items are posted on the worthpoint website.

I am author of “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles.” I write a Daily Antiques & Collectibles Blog for those interested in learning more about antiques & collectibles while also learning to use these items to grow wealth.

My readers urged me to form a club based on the principles spoken of in the book, so I formed the 31 Club. This is an abridged version of the Blog found at my website.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

I’ll Take Them All – Antiques – Collectibles – Paintings

This is a time of year when we treasure hunters should be taking advantage of the opportunities that come our way. While there aren’t a lot of large auctions during the winter, some do come along that can prove to be fertile fields for us.

Our 31 Club Member, Cecil R., attended the sale where our group’s Harvey Joiner painting was sold, and he reported to me about a few little things he picked up. If all the members would follow Cecil’s example, I wouldn’t have enough hours in the day to share them all.

What has Cecil done this time? At Sohn’s auction in Evansville, Indiana, he found 62 bronzes medals, made by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Three inches in diameter and weighing seven to nine ounces each, the medals were produced in 1967 in recognition of the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright and others. Perhaps aviation collectors might have an interest? Or Medal collectors?

The medals first came up for bid at $3 apiece. The auction didn’t go very far, however, and Cecil said he would take them all for $5 each. Having no further interest, Cecil won them at that price. He spent $310 for the medals, then sat back and waited for the next bargain. Most people at that auction probably wondered what he was going to do with those things. Cecil knew exactly what he would do with them. He placed them on Ebay.

The first one he sold brought $61.78. He has sixty-one more to go. The last time I checked, one of his medals had a bid of $74.75 with seven bidders and eight hours left to go. He hasn’t finished selling them all yet, but it looks like they could average $40 apiece or about $2,480 total. You figure the profit and tell me if there are still things being sold that can make you smile. Nothing out there to be found? Says who? Cecil saw an opportunity where others just saw sixty-two hunks of metal.

There were probably six to eight hundred items sold at that auction, and Cecil bid on only a few of them. He also bought a Mettlach Beer Stein that he tripled his money on when he sold it on Ebay for $377.00. I hope he’ll keep us posted on the rest of the items. I’m certain that if you figure them all out, he will have made at least $3,000 from that winter auction. I believe many of us would be satisfied with having made that.

How does he continue to find value in the items others pass up? He spends his time wisely. If he’s got time to spare, he loves to keep up on his studies. I’ve written about some his finds on previous blogs on our website In the near future, I hope he will join me at a 31 Club seminar so he can tell you how he does it himself, while he shares some of his secrets.

Let’s learn and make money together. It’s much more fun if you are able to share your successes with others, and at the same time, have a place to share some of your mistakes so others can learn from yours. At the 31 Club, you’ll find encouragement from others who are truly wishing you the best. If you’re not a member yet, what are you wanting for? Join today!

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth dealing in the rare and valuable upper end markets. Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

It is well known that the United States Mint manufacturers the currency and coinage of the United States. What isn’t well known is that there are skilled craftsman who also shape American history in bronze medals and medallions for everyone to own and share.

Created in 1792, the U.S. Mint has been the primary source of coinage in the United States, but in their own words:

“The primary mission of the United States Mint is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the nation to conduct its trade and commerce. In recent history circulating coin production has varied between 11 billion and 20 billion coins annually. In addition to producing coins, the United States Mint has other responsibilities, including the following:

* Distributing U.S. coins to the Federal Reserve banks and branches.
* Maintaining physical custody and protection of the Nation’s $100 billion of U.S. gold and silver assets.
* Producing proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins, and medals for sale to the general public.
* Manufacturing and selling platinum, gold, and silver bullion coins.
* Overseeing of production facilities in Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco and West Point, as well as the U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky”

It is the third mission that we are talking about today. Ata first, Peace medals were struck to use as friendship gestures on behalf of the president and the Indian nations. By 1869, these Peace medals became inaugural medals featuring the newly elected president of the United States with the dates of inauguration and other artwork on the reverse. Every Peace medal and every inaugural medal is still available today directly from the U.S. Mint.

Because the inaugural medals are still being reproduced, the demand has always kept up with supply and so there is only an antique value if one of the original strikes were being offered. How would you know? Mostly from the patina of the medal itself. If the patina on an inaugural medal dates to the 1870s, for example, it would have something of a darker hue to it rather than the shiny hue that accompanies a newer, more contemporary strike. These original strikes have a much greater collector value by virtue of its age alone.

Now, there are also officially produced inaugural medals for the president. These medals are also bronze like the U.S. Mint medals. The difference is that a relatively limited number are produced of each medal and once they are sold, no more are every produced unlike the U.S. Mint medals which continue to be reproduced each year.

The very first official inaugural medal, that is one that was manufactured at the behest of a specially appointed committee responsible for the official inaugural swearing-in of the new president and vice president and the accompanying festivities, was for William McKinley of 1901. Prior to that, inaugural buttons, badges, medals and medalets were produced by entrepreneurs wholly unconnected with the official swearing-ins or festivities.

So, how do you tell them apart. The quickest way to tell is that the U.S. Mint inaugural medal usually features a portion of the inaugural address on the reverse of the medal or the complete dates of service for the president. Official inaugural medals were produced from original artwork before the inauguration took place and therefore couldn’t have access to the official inaugural address.

The difference of values between the U.S. Mint and the official inaugural medals can be significant. The early official inaugural medals of McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Wm Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover are the most sought after because relatively few were ever produced.

Attached are photos of both U.S. Mint and official Inaugural strike medals for comparison. On January 20, 2008 we will have another official and U.S. Mint inaugural medal to add to our collection.

President-elect Warren G. Harding wanted “…the most dazzling celebration in the memory of the present generation.” Fireworks, concerts, balls, parades, and the return of the inaugural medal. However, with the economy approaching deep depression, the political climate did not warrant an extravagent celebration. The president-elect himself decided against any inaugural celebrations apart from the official swearing-in and other formal official duties. One of the casualties was the official inaugural medal. Fewer than 70 were ever produced, 2 or 3 gold, 4 silver, and less than 60 bronze ones. They are highly sought after. Woodrow Wilson’s second inauguration produced only about 300 and Calvin Coolidge only produced about 80 inaugural medals in all. To find any of these authentic rare and scarce inaugural medals would be a coup to any presidential collection. For a great review of all inaugural medals, official or not, visit http://www.inauguralmedals.com