Here’s a hot tip for antique collectors who want to get in on the ground floor. Especially those interested in collecting military items. Start collecting Vietnam War collectibles. Start now.
Why Vietnam? Items connected with the war are not antiques.
Not yet. But they will be.
Vietnam Has its Own Panache to Collectors.
We can already see how collectables associated with World War II often command higher prices these days. Vietnam was a controversial war, and the Vietnam Era has today attracted a nostalgia and an interest not only because of the war, but because of the related Peace Movement protests as well as the hippie culture.
Many Vietnam veterans themselves upon their return wanted to forget their experiences and so they discarded a lot of gear which is floating around today in surplus stores. Much if it is doesn’t require a big purchase price, so you can find collectables that are still reasonably priced but are certain to go up in value in the coming years.
The classic jungle boot of the Vietnam War, canvas sided with leather sole in mint condition, can command a price in the hundred dollar range. A “Boonie” Hat, so named because it was used by troops in the jungles, a loose-fitting canvas hat with a broad brim that gave the trooper wearing it a “gung-ho” look, can be found today for about $20.
A Green Beret, made famous by the elite unit, goes today for about $250.
A steel pot helmet with camouflage canvas cover (with chinstrap and band) sells for about $40. The standard army helmet became an art form in and of itself because soldiers, in addition to stashing cigarettes, repellants and other lightweight items that needed to be kept dry and easily reachable in the helmet band, also added their own pen-drawn graffiti-type art to the canvas covers (angering their officers). An authentic helmet customized in this way will command more of a price than one in mint condition. But fakes abound.
Be Certain it’s Real Before Buying it.
Tank crew helmets and uniforms of the period with insignia and patches are all in the range of $30 to $60. Individual unit patches and medals such as the Vietnam Campaign Medal can often be had for $5 to $10 or $15. They can be found in surplus stores in abundance as well as flea markets and garage and estate sales.
The controversy surrounding the war isn’t going away any time soon. As value increases, so will the reproduction of fakes. The would-be collector is once again advised to seek the advice of an experienced collector, or to make sure to purchase from an honest dealer offering a guarantee of authenticity and a return policy if not satisfied.
The Vietnam War ended 45 years ago, but once again, the value of buying newer antiques before they become older antiques is often the lower purchasing price, high numbers of items available and many in mint condition.
Source: Mark F. Moran, Antiques & Collectibles 2011 Price Guide, Krause Publications.
