Coin of the realm

For the 16th consecutive year, the Highland Mint of Melbourne, Fla., has been commissioned by the NFL to produce the coin that will be flipped immediately prior to the Super Bowl to determine which team kicks off and which receives.

And on the theory that it is better to receive, Highland Mint is willing to sell you an exact replica of the Super Bowl XL Flip Coin, featuring "selective 24-karat gold plating on one troy ounce of .999 fine silver."

The coin -- take a breath -- depicts the dueling helmet logos of the Steelers and the Seahawks, a banner with the team names, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's signature, the official Super Bowl XL logo, the date and location of the game and a limited edition number. Amazingly, they've crammed all that on a coin that measures only 1 ¹/₂ inches in diameter.

Only 7,500 coins will be produced at $69.95 each. If you order one by calling toll-free 1-888-560-2727 or by visiting www.sbflip.com you also get a numbered Certificate of Authenticity labeled with the Super Bowl hologram.

The final touch: The coin comes in a special collectors booklet made not of vinyl or even leather, but velour. And nothing says luxury like velour.

-- Brian Hyslop

When you're smiling

In an example either of corporate generosity or slightly unsportsmanlike conduct, the Eat'n Park restaurant chain this week began offering free shipping on online orders of black and gold Steeler Smiley cookies to addresses in the "enemy" state of Washington.

Online shoppers also have a choice of the basic white icing Smiley cookie. For a while yesterday, those sending to Washington state only were being offered the Steeler version. "That was a glitch," said a company spokesman.

-- Teresa Lindeman

Kaufmann's pep rally

The Downtown department store still known as Kaufmann's, at least for a few more months, has scheduled a lunchtime pep rally tomorrow. Expects lots of loud Steeler fight songs and piles of Steeler merchandise.

-- Teresa Lindeman