As the holidays loom, so does the conundrum of what gifts to get people you know. The number of ads in print, online and on TV touting collectibles suggests people are fascinated by colorful or historic coins, stamps and currency. That said, even more important than what to look for is what to look OUT for.

Take the cool silver and gold baseball coins issued earlier this year. These were some of the most interesting coins the US Mint has created. Their curved, convex/concave shape made the silver and gold versions quick sellouts. For the silver dollar, the current aftermarket price from many dealers is around $50 to $60 in ungraded condition. Graded specimens can bring a bit more.

Some companies with the word "Mint" in their name (with no association to the actual U.S. Mint) are now selling those same coins for between $100 and $329. The $329 version I saw is graded MS-69, which is excellent. But, most of them are. This coin was encapsulated in a plastic holder with a facsimile signature of a ballplayer packaged in a "mahogany-finished box."

A wooden box, plastic holder and fake signature elevate a $50 to $100 coin to $329? Most dealers I spoke with don't get it. Even at the MS-69 grade they are still selling them for under $100.

It was similar for a 1908 $2-1/2 Indian gold coin. One of those in "very good" condition in a plastic holder was being advertised for $699. Note, a "very good" grade is at the lower end of numismatic grading. Still, the coin is a nice piece of American history. But, again, that price ...

For that gold coin, the dealers with whom I spoke said they would pay around $200 and sell it for no more than $240. All of them said the coin would have to be in at least top grade "Mint State 64" condition for them to buy or sell it for anywhere near $600 or $700.

Colorized or gold-plated coins are also strangely popular. While some countries such as Canada do sometimes produce a colorized coin, most of those sold online or in magazine inserts are merely colored plastic discs attached to a common coin. They may commemorate anything from Elvis, the Pope or Nelson Mandela to military campaigns. Again, dealers don't seem to be interested.

One such coin was just advertised marking the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. It is a Kennedy half-dollar with a colorized image on one side. The coin is "free" with a $2.95 shipping charge. In fairness the priced isn't bad. The catch is that you will continue to receive more coins by mail for sale on approval. You can cancel but it's a hoop that's important to know about before ordering. Also, the dealers with whom I spoke said they would only buy it for the 50-cent face value. They said the same is true for pretty much any colorized or plated coin.

Of course, this isn't limited to coins. Other ads and "limited time" offers for currency and "rare" stamps fill shopping network TV channels and print ads. It's not unusual to see programs hawking "scarce" sheets of "discontinued" $2 bills for prices of $100 or more. Again, they're a great conversation piece but not scarce or discontinued. In fact, they're readily for sale from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing online at www.MoneyFactory.gov.

Finally, collectible postage stamps. Maybe because the coveted one-cent magenta British Guiana stamp was recently valued at $9.5 million, people are again looking at philatelic collectibles and investments. Early U.S. stamps from the turn of the 19th century are colorful and beautifully engraved. Many are also valuable. They're just very rarely the stratospheric value of what they're sold for in flashy print or online ads.

For much of the above, the optimum recourse is to go direct to the USPS at www.usps.gov or the Mint at www.USMint.gov. Each has an excellent online store.

For vintage classic issues, the best and most reliable avenue is a reputable local or regional dealer that is a member of national hobby organizations. Establish a relationship with them and they'll guide you toward what's good and away from what's not. After all, good dealers want you coming back to buy more collectible gifts for friends or yourself during the holidays and throughout the year.

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of a colorized and gold plated American Eagle Silver Dollar has been sent with this column.

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