Coin Collecting

[EmilyK]

I have 2 boys who have been pursuing the state quarters over the years with their grandfather. He's in shaky health, and I'm looking for more things they can do together sitting down. My dad has done a fair amount of coin collecting over the years (and stamp collecting, but that seems like a whole project to figure out by itself, though thoughts welcome on kid friendly projects there too).

 

So I was thinking of getting more "supplies" to expand this interest, so that when they're together they'd have this hobby to work on. I plan to pick up the Boy Scout book on coin collecting since they're in scouts. Are there other books, collection supplies, etc. I could get? Are there better ways for them to get spare change to pore over? (Is it better to get coins from the bank?) I don't necessarily want to invest in mint sets, but I'm willing to spend something to facilitate this interest and shared hobby.

 

I feel kind of at a loss other than buying random books at Amazon. Thoughts would be really appreciated.

[LisaMarie6]

If you have a coin shop where you live they usually have a large selection of coins and supplies. When we lived in Iowa we had a coin shop the kids loved to visit, because they had a pile of coins from other countries that the kids could dig through. You could usually buy quite a few of them for very little money.

 

We have started putting coins in our kids Christmas stockings. Each year they get a new coin, some are valuable and some are not, but the kids love them either way.

[OrganicAnn]

They used to have books that coins fit into, so you could collect pennies for each year/each mint. I know they have these for the state quarters.

[Imprimis]

Coin collecting is awesome! And, you don't have to spend a lot of money or search for rare coins to enjoy the hobby.

 

I bought my kids folders like this:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_7_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lincoln+cent+1909-1958+collector%27s+folder&sprefix=lincoln+cent+&ih=10_1_2_0_0_0_0_0_0_1.156_419&fsc=-1.

 

They have fun searching for wheat pennies in our change.

They also sell folders for U.S. nickels and dimes also. I found our folders for less at our local Barnes & Noble.

 

And, this book is good to help you get started http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/quicksearch/quicksearch.aspx.

 

We also ask relatives who travel out of the country to bring back coins from the countries they visit.

[EmilyK]

Thanks to everyone!

 

Tina, I couldn't get the B and N link to work -- can you tell me the title?

 

Thanks so much.

[Imprimis]

Tina, I couldn't get the B and N link to work -- can you tell me the title?

 

Thanks so much.

 

For some reason I can't get the B&N one to work, but here's the Amazon link to it http://www.amazon.com/Whitman-Coin-Guide-Collecting/dp/0307480089/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281148134&sr=1-1

[pqr]

Try going onto eBay and buying foreign coins by the pound. They have no real value but are fun to sort through and certainly teach history and geography.

[EmilyK]

Thanks for all the thoughts!

[Guest laura lizabe]

Hi Emily,

If you are interested in encouraging your kids to pursuit coin collecting you should check out the new quarters being released from the US Mint. The United States Mint is issuing 56 new quarters that feature different U.S. National Parks and other National sites. Here's a link with more info on the program: http://bit.ly/atbquarters Perhaps a coin will be launching near you, what a fun way for your kids to partake in a historical coin launch!

 

Laura

[Karen A]

My dh would get rolls from the bank every week, and return them the next Sat. and buy new ones. I think this would work well to initially fill holes in a Whitman folder. Also he'd buy quarter rolls (asking for new quarters) to find the shiniest/nicest state quarters he could find. He got started as a boy scout and actively pursued the hobby at various times as an adult as well. We have mint sets going back for years...

[EmilyK]

Hi Emily,

If you are interested in encouraging your kids to pursuit coin collecting you should check out the new quarters being released from the US Mint. The United States Mint is issuing 56 new quarters that feature different U.S. National Parks and other National sites. Here's a link with more info on the program: http://bit.ly/atbquarters Perhaps a coin will be launching near you, what a fun way for your kids to partake in a historical coin launch!

 

Laura

 

Thanks this is great. We love National Parks so this is perfect. It would be great to see a coin launch!

[EmilyK]

My dh would get rolls from the bank every week, and return them the next Sat. and buy new ones. I think this would work well to initially fill holes in a Whitman folder. Also he'd buy quarter rolls (asking for new quarters) to find the shiniest/nicest state quarters he could find. He got started as a boy scout and actively pursued the hobby at various times as an adult as well. We have mint sets going back for years...

 

Interesting -- there's a bank in the building I work. I wondered if I could ask them for newer quarters. It is worth a whirl I guess!

[Guest Elise T.]

Hi everyone! I also do some digital work for the US Mint and thought some of you might be interested in another event we will be hosting this week. The Mount Hood National Forest quarter launch event is taking place this Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at 10:30 am (PT), World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221.There will also be a coin forum tomorrow, November 16th, from 5:30-6:30 at the same location. Here's a link with more info on the program: http://bit.ly/atbquarters. Hope to see you there!

[Guest Elise T.]

We'll also be broadcasting the event live from a webcast if you're physically unable to attend. We hope to see you out there, though!

Edited November 15, 2010 by Elise T.
already posted the info

[sheryl]

I have 2 boys who have been pursuing the state quarters over the years with their grandfather. He's in shaky health, and I'm looking for more things they can do together sitting down. My dad has done a fair amount of coin collecting over the years (and stamp collecting, but that seems like a whole project to figure out by itself, though thoughts welcome on kid friendly projects there too).

 

So I was thinking of getting more "supplies" to expand this interest, so that when they're together they'd have this hobby to work on. I plan to pick up the Boy Scout book on coin collecting since they're in scouts. Are there other books, collection supplies, etc. I could get? Are there better ways for them to get spare change to pore over? (Is it better to get coins from the bank?) I don't necessarily want to invest in mint sets, but I'm willing to spend something to facilitate this interest and shared hobby.

 

I feel kind of at a loss other than buying random books at Amazon. Thoughts would be really appreciated.

 

My dh is big time in to coin collecting. Look for a coin club group in your community or start one and publicize. Once a month, perhaps a library.

 

Go to a coin shop. Yes, a great resource for coins is the bank. Ask for "new rolls" of coins whatever denomination you're interested in. Just make sure you do the math in advance to know what that will cost. When my dh was in hot pursuit for the state quarters, he would visit different banks and call to find out of the availability of the sought after coins. HTH. Sheryl <><