2010 olympics

With the 2010 Winter Olympics wrapped up in Vancouver, the bodies that fueled them are gaining momentum on the marketing front. The most-famous faces of the competition will garner millions in endorsement deals, but those star athletes often aren't worth it to their sponsors.

The quarter-page ad in the New York Times caught my eye: "Final Year Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Silver Dollar Just Released!" For as low as $24.95, I could have a silver dollar from Canada -- with a hockey player on it. Since I couldn't make it to Vancouver, it looked like an Olympic...