Coins and stamps have always been a desirable investment for serious collectors, but some of the most valuable coins and stamps are still in circulation today. Seriously, there very well may be someone reading this article right now that has a super-valuable coin or stamp stored away forgotten in a box, coin jar, or attached to an old letter address to grandma.

So, shakeout your pockets full of loose change to see if any of the coins that you have is one of the "World"s Most Valuable Collectibles', and then check to see if you already own any of the other valuable collectibles contained in this article.

Stamps

Collectible stamps are easily obtainable by the average citizen at their local post office, but the "World"s Most Valuable Stamps' have been in general circulation for generations and may be stored away in some unknowing person's home. You could be one of the lucky people and already own a valuable stamp that could change your live-forever.

Sweden Three Skilling Banco, Yellow Color Error, 1855

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The three-skilling stamp, which is usually printed on green color paper, was accidentally printed on yellow color paper that was reserved for the eight-shilling stamp of the same set. Only one 1855, Yellow Color Error, Sweden Three Skilling Banco has ever been discovered and sold for an astonishing $2.3 million in 1996 to an anonymous collector.

U.S. Franklin Z-Grill, 1867

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The U.S. Franklin Z-Grill (1867) stamp presents a portrait of Benjamin Franklin and are embossed with a “Z-Grill”. The “Z-Grill” was produced by embossing a pattern of tiny squares into the paper that would allow the canceling ink to absorb into the stamp paper, so the ink could be seen on the back of the stamp. Only 2 copies are known to exist, but that doesn't mean that there aren't any others to be discovered. In 1988, a 1968 1-cent “Z-Grill” stamp sold for $930,000.

These are only two examples of “The Most Valuable Stamps”, but by no means are the only two stamps that are extremely valuable. For more valuable stamps, see the World's Most Valuable Stamps.

Coins

Serious coin collectors know a good investment when they see one. Collectors favor U.S. Coins and especially coins minted in precious metals such as: Platinum, Gold and Silver or coins with limited production numbers in general circulation. Usually, collectors will prefer coin "Proof" sets (coins that were never released in general circulation and were vacuum sealed, so the coin would be protected from human touch).

However, this article is not about collectibles that only exists in a private collection or displayed in a museum collection. The coins that we are focused on are coins the average person could actual discover in loose pocket change or possibly laying on the ground.

1943 Copper Penny

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Estimated Value: $200,000+

1965 Silver Dime

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Estimated Value: $9000+

Visit Rare and Valuable US Coins for other valuable coins that you could already own and not know it. Or, visit Most Valuable US Coins Found in Pocket Change to locate other valuable coins that are not listed in this article.

Comics

The creators of comic books in our world have introduced us to marvelous ideas of futuristic technologies and heroes that routinely save the world in the nick of time. Superman, Batman and Spiderman are just three of the hundreds of superheroes that have helped drive the worldwide fascination with these artistic story-filled comics.

Serious comic collectors prize comic books that are in mint condition and that are responsible for introducing new superheroes or super-villains. Of course, to better understand the comic world, then purchase a comic book price guide and start the learning process.

Action Comics #1

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Estimated Value: $440,000(In, “near mint” condition”)

Visit Top 10 Most Valuable Comic Books in the World for other extremely valuable comics.

Baseball Cards

For the past 100-plus years, various baseball card publishers have come and gone, but some baseball cards are worth thousands upon thousands of dollars to the right collector.

1909 T206 White Border #366 Honus Wagner, 2B Pittsburgh Pirates

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Estimated Value (depending on condition): $250,000-$400,000

The reason why the 1909 T206 Honus Wagner baseball card is worth so much today is because Honus Wagner did not endorse the use of tobacco. The baseball card was going to be included in a tobacco product, but Honus wasn't going to part of that due to his personal beliefs. Mr. Wagner demanded that his card not be part of the promotion, so the baseball card was canceled and the cards that had been printed for the promotion were ordered to be destroyed, but not all were and so some of the employees left with the canceled cards.

Visit Forbes for additional super-valuable baseball cards.

Video Games

Videogames have become extremely popular around the globe since their humble beginnings in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Once the Atari 2600 became available to the average household, then the videogame market expanded by millions of new and excitable gamers. Next, came the biggest and arguably best videogame advancement in our generation, the Nintendo game console proved that videogames could be more than a grainy videogame graphic game. So, after Nintendo, came the next advancement leap in videogame graphics, sound, story and speed that only the Sony Playstation could provide.

Today, there are many video games that are incredibly valuable and even more so, if the game in “mint or near-mint” condition and are complete with original box and instructions.

Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge

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Estimated Price Range: $200 - $727

The Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge was used in Blockbuster Video tournaments and never were actually released to the general public. Rumors have said that only 2500 copies were published and the remaining copies of the game were piled into bargain bins, so that customers could purchase them.

To learn about other valuable video games, then visit Racket Boy for a complete listing of collectible Nintendo video games that you might already own and not know it.

Children's Picturebooks

Early children's picturebooks provided hours of wholesome entertainment for children and allowed the youngest of children the opportunity to follow along with the story, just by looking at the pictures provided normally on every page.

Now, presently some of these early children's books have increased in value as there are more collectors entering into this market. Due to the fact, that not many of these children's picturebooks were expected to survive the destructive power of young children as they were growing up - the books that have survived in relativity good condition have jumped in value.

And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street (1937), Illustrator Theodor Geisel

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Estimated Value: $5000-$8400

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (1938), Illustrator Theodor Geisel

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Estimated Value: $3800-$6200

To learn about other valuable Children's Picturebooks, then visit Children's Picturebook Collecting.

Autographs

Probably since the dawn of time or at least since famous people were willing to sign their name to pictures, books, sports collectibles and everything in-between, there has been a market for autographs. Millions of ordinary people have come face-to-face with someone famous or even infamous (such as; gangsters, serial killers) and collected an autograph.

Some of these autographs are immensely valuable and can fetch a truckload of cash for the lucky person that already owns one of these rare autographs, but just don't realize that they have it.

The world's most valuable autograph is that of the famous playwright William Shakespeare. Only six authenticated examples exist, and they are all signed on documents. It is believed that if one of these autographs were offered at auction, then it could fetch perhaps 5 million dollars or more. To learn more and to see an example of William Shakespeare's autograph, visit The Most Valuable Autograph in the World.

Other incredibly valuable autographs include:

J.D. Salinger - Estimated Value $40,000
Thomas Pynchon - Estimated Value $40,000
Neil Armstrong (the first man to walk on the moon) - Estimated Value $6500
Tiger Woods - Estimated Value $2800

For more information regarding other valuable autographs, then visit Wallstreet Fighter.

Rare Books

For some collectors old, rare books hold the key to both good investment and entertaining reading. Valuable books are not all old or rare, but can be newer that has a popular author's autograph or were part of an exclusive limited release.

BROWN, Peter. New Illustrations of Zoology (1776)

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Estimated Value: $12,908

To learn about other valuable books, then visit Horden House.

Toys

While this article really did not address valuable collectible toys; some are extremely valuable to the right collectors. Like with other types of collectibles, toys do not have to be antique or vintage to reach a high value. To learn more about this subject, then may I suggest visiting Toys in the Attic and read a comprehensive article highlighting some of the most sought after and valuable toys in the world today.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,
Yet what can I give Him?
Give my heart.

(Christina Georgina Rossetti)

Low Prices on Custom-Made Gifts:

1. Post a description at Etsy of the item(s) you would like handmade, and crafters compete for your business.
2. Handmade rings, necklaces, soaps, candles or other accessories starting at just $10.00:
   • Craft Mall
   • Arts E-Fest.




3. Want an old fashioned hand crafted toy? Find stuffed toys, animals, trains, and board games at Craft Toys.




4. If you want to select hand crafted beaded jewelry for your gift giving try DJ Jewels. These earrings sell for just $5.00.
   
   

Christmas on a Budget

Is your Christmas gift list larger than your budget? With over 5,000 items offered, and some as low as 80 cents, this might be right up your alley: Red Tag Promos. They have a nifty way to show you what your logo would look like on an item, so you can decide whether to personalize or not. They also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Christmas Stationery/Cards

1. Order your Christmas cards on line at Vista Print. Greeting cards made of heavy stock paper come personalized with a message of your choice, and you can even add a photo. Prices start at just $3.99 for 10. They also offer a design and copywriting service
2. Find free Christmas stationery, games, downloads, craft ideas, screen savers, coloring pages, fonts, decorations, recipes and more at The Holiday Spot.

The Top 10 Places to Shop

1. According to the Love To Know editors the top ten places to shop is found here and they claim to ship for just $2.95.

Dessert

Now that you have sent out your Christmas mail, and cards, printed up pages for the children to color, and wrapped your presents, you deserve to enjoy something special.

And what would your celebration be without the Christmas goodies? All Recipes or Better Homes and Gardens site at Better Recipes.

Have a Merry Christmas!