The Santa that our children know today is believed to be the likeness of the beloved Coca Cola Santa that their marketers brought to life. Beyond these images, Coke related antiques and collectibles dating back to the late 1800s have priced themselves out of the market for the average collector. Since the 1970s, many Coca Cola collectibles have been fabricated to mimic older items and passed off to those who didn't know better. Numerous trays and several of the calendars have definitely been reproduced and some of them are reported to be so close to authentic, they'll nearly fool an expert. Coca-Cola collectibles can be old or new.

The newer items are sometimes made to look antique, so a novice collector has to be careful. Most vendors do not intentionally set out to deceive, but an uninformed collector might make an incorrect assumption as to the age of an item. It always pays to ask to make sure you are not paying a high price for something that is new. Do a little research to avoid making a costly mistake. Pepsi collectible have also been gaining popularity. This market segment is newer and not as well known, so it is best to do a little research. Make sure the dealer you are using is established and has a good history.

This will prevent you from making a poor investment. Even with all this questionable activity going on, avoiding the pitfalls of reproductions and fantasy items while enjoying Coke collecting remains a possibility. Purchasing affordable items you like, whether they're new or old, offers lovers of Coca Cola memorabilia a way to join in on the fun.