ANTENNA BALLS AS COLLECTIBLE AS BEANIE BABIES?

ANTENNA BALLS AS COLLECTIBLE AS BEANIE BABIES?

SAN CARLOS, Calif. (Wireless Flash) -- You know those novelty styrofoam balls designed for the end of your car radio antenna? Well, believe it or not, they may become the next big collectible. According to Lisa Sievers, an antenna ball collector and expert, antenna balls have been around since at least 1961 when Union 76 gas stations introduced them as a promotional item. The antenna ball collector market is still in its infancy but it's quickly growing in popularity and prices are expected to rise. For instance, an recent antenna ball featuring Mickey Mouse dressed as Santa is worth about $15 -- not bad for something that was free to begin with. Although antenna balls have yet to inspire the passion of Beanie Babies, Sievers hopes to jump-start things by manufacturing a collection of limited edition antenna balls called "Coolballs."