I thought one of the big advantages of Bitcoin was the whole digital thing.. and that one would want to let people know about those advantages..
rather than encouraging them to buy overpriced novelty
* items.

The Casascius Coins are valued as BTC Spot Price + minting and format cost + value of tangible product + novelty + speculative collectors' value + profit for all parties involved in creating, designing, and delivering it to you.
So if that equation doesn't add up to be worth it in your mind, that's fine, but these coins are pretty damn cool and one shouldn't assume that the only value is the distilled BTC value.
For goodness sake, the marketing effect these coins have had already is pretty substantial. Lots of articles. Lots of tweets. Great conversation starter and great way for people to
start understanding Bitcoins better.
I hope Casascius and Roger both get rich this holiday season selling these wonderful trinkets! =)