The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 5, February 4, 2007, Article 29

RETAIL GIFT CARDS BECOMING A COLLECTIBLE

Just as many people have turned to collecting credit cards, those
ubiquitous gift cards sold by retail stores are now also receiving
attention as a collectible.  Someday, these may take their place in
numismatic collections alongside credit cards, charge coins and other
money substitutes.

The Victoria Times Colonist of Canada published an article noting that
"A brisk collectibles market has sprung up online for retail gift cards
that are worthless in terms of buying a latte or a DVD, but prized by
aficionados for their design and rarity.

"BucksCards.com, a website devoted to collectors of Starbucks gift
cards -- by far the most popular and lucrative on the market -- reports
that two anonymous collectors recently paid more than $2,000 each for
cards that carried no balance but were produced in limited quantities
for employees or contest winners.

"'Gift cards are like stamp collectibles or coin collectibles -- just
a modern version,' says Margaret Li, a collector from Vancouver who
uses EBay to sell off duplicates or unwanted cards.

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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