I want one of everything....show cards, oddballs, regional issues, food issues, parallels and variations. Just the slightest difference is all that I need to add it to the list.
And this pickup is definitely one that has been a long time coming.
1997/98 Katch
#146 Gold version
**no 'Fabrique au Canada'**
#146 Gold version
**no 'Fabrique au Canada'**
For years, I have known about these Katch coins. A simple product release with a regular, silver and gold version.
It took a while, but I eventually tracked down all three colors and was happy to brag about the trifecta. That was until I learned about a slight variation to the coins.
I called it - the 'Fabrique au Canada' version.
You can see here on the back of this one....well.....nothing. But stay with me...you'll soon learn of my geekness towards variations.
If you take a close look at the two coins, you will see a difference.
Here's a closer look.
The simple text on the one saying 'Fabrique au Canada' has turned one coin on the list into two.
Now when I first learned about this alternate version I searched high and low for the non-'Fabrique' versions (since I had the ones with the extra print). It was a few years before I tracked a regular version down and for a while, I was even questioning their existence (although I had seen the variation on other players' coins).
Now with the regular copy in the books, the search for the silver and gold was on.
Obviously, with a smaller print run, it would be a tougher task. Again, I questioned their existence until one day just a few years ago I found the silver copy. That was the real breakthrough.
Now I knew that the gold version existed. But those coins almost never came up on ebay or hobby boards in general. Finding one would be near impossible.
Key word - near.
I can now proudly present the six pack of Katch coins - and I think they look stunning all together.
A real accomplishment for the Linden pc and some of my favorite pieces. That's the geek in me talking.
It's a great reminder to me that even though an item may be on the list for many years, it's never a reason to stop looking for it.
Oh man, now I have to track down the Axelsson versions of these. Thanks a lot, man. Thanks, a lot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out that a variation exists, I had no idea they were out there. Just means there's more hunting for me to do for my Roenick, Samsonov, Thornton, and Yzerman collections!
ReplyDeletehow big are those? They look like jar lids, but I'm guessing they're smaller...
ReplyDeleteThey're a little larger than the Mcdonald Olympic coins. They won't fit in a standard sized top loader, so I had to go with one of those flimsy deals.
ReplyDeleteI've never actually seen or heard of these before, cool stuff though...
ReplyDeleteWhat is price difference with the siler and the gold? Substantial?
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the final values, but I believe the silver was in the $5-7 range and the gold $15-20.
DeleteFor each of the coins I bought, I feel I paid a fair price.
Nothing too drastically different.
Great article Brett, thanks for shedding some light on this. Just pulled in my 4th variation, still need the silver & gold Fabrique versions.
ReplyDeleteAl
fantastic help ! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Mika. Thanks for commenting.
Delete