Mike Rivkin

All the big events in the Coachella Valley are over, the temperature is starting to climb and outbound flights are a lot more full than inbound ones.

Officially known as the Indian Head Nickel, the Buffalo nickel enjoyed a 25-year run from 1913 to 1938.

Its introductory price was $210, or a little more than $2,000 in today's dollars. Not cheap, but a screaming bargain relative to what was to come.

As it happens, there are few categories more interesting or broad. Virtually every nation in the world has its own military, usually with proprietary gear that runs the gamut from airplanes to underwear.

Boxed sets are especially valued, as are early mother-of-pearl chips frequently used in Asian casinos during the 1920s. Not surprisingly, casinos love it when you keep their poker chips since they have your money in return. Limited edition poker chips, such as those made specifically for tournaments, are catnip for collectors as well.

A good dough bowl was a family heirloom, handed down from mother to daughter and often kept for generations. The yeasty smell of rising dough was a cherished memory for many of that generation.

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Unlike most members of the watch aristocracy, Breguet originated in Paris rather than Switzerland. The founder was Abraham-Louis Breguet, born in 1747 and a rare example of one who is both a skilled innovator and exceptional designer.

While most casual collectors focus on widely minted coins, many are unaware of the more obscure American coins that have their own unusual stories.

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