Regular readers know this is the time of year I suggest holiday gifts collectors might enjoy. In the past, I've also offered a thought or two regarding items that I advise against simply because they don't or won't have the value some could be hoping for.

After seeing a TV commercial last weekend I realized history is again repeating itself in more ways than one. The ad was promoting a new Barack Obama gold-plated collector's coin. Several companies are also promoting these on the Internet. The thing is, the items are simply currently available coins with a color sticker of Obama plastered on them. Most come in nice display cases. Fact is, that packaging may prove to be the most valuable part of the deal.

Several dealers with whom I spoke said they wouldn't pay more than the face value of the coins. That means for the Obama "coin" (one of which is merely a Kennedy half dollar with the sticker applied) dealers would pay 50 cents. The cost for the coin in the ad was just shy of $15, including shipping. Other denominations of coins have similar stickers, but dealers again offered only the face value. Finding any of those in a stocking could prove to be a major disappointment.

Of course, there are numerous presidential coins produced by the U.S. Mint. The most notable of these are the new Presidential Golden Dollar Series started last year. This month, the eighth and final golden dollar coin of 2008 is being released.

The new dollar coin features Martin Van Buren. Granted, he may not have the notoriety of Washington, Lincoln or Kennedy, but like Obama — the first black president — Van Buren had his own first. It, too, was a big one. He was the first US president actually born in the United States.

There's something else the two have in common. It's not good. Right now, the economy is worse than it's been in most people's memory. Home mortgages, the auto industry, job layoffs … just to mention a few. That's what Obama is walking into, and little relief is in sight.

When Van Buren entered the White House the economy was even worse. The "Financial Panic of 1837" was, at that time, the most dire in U.S. history. And, it lasted pretty much for his entire four-year term. When the economy worsened in 1839, he created an independent Treasury — the predecessor of what we have today. But, many considered it "too little, too late" and bestowed on him the nickname "Martin Van Ruin." Ouch.

There is no guarantee the new Van Buren golden dollar coins will be worth more than their face value in the future, but they certainly cost less than the modified coins with Obama's image on them being sold for a serious premium. Then again, there may be one thing that could enhance the value of the Van Buren coins in the future.

In the past, golden dollar coins have had the motto "In God We Trust" imprinted on the edge of the coin. But, some went through the minting process and erroneously didn't have that imprinted. As such, beginning in 2009, all dollar coins will have that motto emblazoned on the front of the coin. The Van Buren dollar coin will be the last one minted with the motto on the edge. Collectible? Maybe.

The golden dollar coins will soon be popping up in banks and cash drawers at face value. They're also available in collector gift sets in Uncirculated or Proof condition for a premium directly from the Mint at: www.USMint.gov, or by phoning toll-free 1-800-USA-MINT.

One last thing. For the sake of the economy we have to hope Obama's most famous presidential quote won't emulate Van Buren's. When he left office in 1841, he was quoted as saying, "As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it." We'll see.

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the cover of the new Martin Van Buren golden dollar coin has been sent with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.