I checked the floor and found that the options were three dollars wide and 50 up, meaning the customer could buy or sell 50 contracts on either side of an illiquid market.

The authors also point out that even those not competing in the marriage market must compete to buy housing and make other significant purchases, pushing up the savings rate for all households.

"Traditionally, who would buy these would be coin collectors, but this product opens up the market as a gift product for enthusiasts of Star Wars, " he said.