Pawn shops: Where the Wicked Witch of the West meets the Super Bowl

TAMPA - As the economy continues to founder, people from all walks of life are giving up their treasures to make ends meet, a Tampa pawn shop owner said.

Joe Cacciatore, of Capital Pawn, says since the recession began he's received four Super Bowl rings, which are valued up to $25,000 each.  Athletes and team officials have also come in to pawn a Stanley Cup Championship ring, and National Football Championship rings from Florida State and the University of Florida.

Cacciatore will not identify the athletes, to protect their privacy. One NFL star went so far as to buff out the name and number from his NFL Players Association ring. "He was embarrassed to have his name on the ring he pawned, so he buffed them off," said Cacciatore.

Cacciatore opened what he calls a 'high-end pawn shop' on Busch Blvd. to cater to the elite who have fallen on hard times.

Business owners, athletes, and other highly-paid executives are finding themselves in a financial pinch as the 'Great Recession' continues, said Cacciatore.  "We're their economic stimulus plan. If they have nowhere else to go, they come to us for cash.  They're selling us their heirlooms to put gas in the tank and food on the table."

One person brought in a large collection of vintage items from the 1930s. Among them were a pair of boots that may have been worn by an actress in the film, The Wizard of Oz.  "We believe they're the boots worn by the wicked witch," said Cacciatore. "We're in the process of having that verified. That's what they were sold to us as."

Cacciatore admits he gambles occasionally on the authenticity of certain items. However, many of the items are genuine museum pieces. He recently took in several items from the White House when Woodrow Wilson was in office. Among the artifacts, a message from the President to Congress, a White House cookbook, and as ashtray with the presidential seal. "These are Smithsonian quality pieces," said Cacciatore.