Patriotism sparking stamp, coin interest

Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 | 10:48 a.m.

American patriotic-themed postage stamps are selling well, as the events of Sept. 11 bring new collectors into what in recent years has been a slumping hobby, one expert says.

And though patriotic stamps such as "United We Stand" have sold well, the popularity of state quarters has grown by even greater strides, said Israel Bick, a dealer from Van Nuys, Calif.

Bick's fourth annual "Vegaspex" Las Vegas International Coin, Stamp, Currency and Jewelry Expo runs today through Sunday at the Tropicana hotel. Admission is $2 for general admission, $1 for seniors and free for children under 12. Children also will receive free stamp and coin starter kits.

Despite a recent interest in collecting patriotic stamps, the industry has for many years struggled to get children interested in philately -- the collection and study of postage stamps.

"Sadly, our average collector is still around 70," said Bick, executive director of the International Coin and Stamp Collectors Society.

Coins, however, are a different story. Children have been amazed by the new designs of the individual state quarters.

"Every kid out there knows that the quarters are new, and if one of every 10 becomes a collector it will mean enormous growth for coin collecting in the coming years," Bick said, noting that once a person gets into collecting a certain type of coin he also could get interested in other types.

"It has already had a direct impact on (increased) prices for older quarters that are in premium condition."

Also since Sept. 11, gold and silver prices have remained for the most part flat, so costs for those collectors have remained steady and more affordable. However, Bick said, because Americans have a strong faith in their monetary system, there has been no rush to buy and hoard gold coins.

More than 100 dealers are expected to have booths at this weekend's show. The U.S. Postal Service will sell postage stamps with a diamond-shaped, dice-themed pictorial postmark cancellation created specifically for Vegaspex.

Free appraisals also will be available during all three days of the show, and dealers will offer free consultation on how to collect stamps and coins so that the collector can get the most enjoyment out of the hobby.

The show is open Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Tropicana's Pavilion Exhibition Center. A single admission price is good for all three days. Parking is free and door prizes will be awarded.