Metal models of China's National Olympic Stadium, the main venue for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, debuted at the capital's flagship Olympic franchise store in Beijing on Sept. 19. - BOCOG

Nearly a hundred medium-sized metal scale models of the Olympic centerpiece were sold at an Olympic-licensed flag-store, as the products were launched on the market.

It all looked like collector's fiesta. A long queue of customers awaited the opening of the store on Wangfujing Street, the busiest commercial street of downtown Beijing. One person said he had waited here all night since 11 pm Tuesday night. Within no more than one hour after the product was presented to the public, the products at the store were sold out.

"I am glad now that I have managed to lay hold of the first 'Bird' Nest' model. This model is very beautiful and of very high value for collectors," said a customer at the store, who admits he's not a professional.

With a limited issue of 99,999, the models are gold- and tin-plated, outlining the detailed structures of the stadium, including the entrances and stairways, as well as the surrounding landscape.

The models will also be available in two other sizes -- small and large -- and the price ranges from 900 yuan (US$120) to 4,000 yuan (US$530), depending on the size. The escutcheons of the models currently on sale, as well as the large-sized ones, are made of spare steel from the stadium.

The other two types will be launched at the end of this month. The large-sized models will have a limited issue of 20,000.