I Need Some Motivating Words Of Wisdom.......

OAKSTAR

..........for "hopefully" a young kid.

I have one of these roadside library boxes in my neighborhood. I'm going to put this old Whitman folder with a few cents, in the box. I'd like to put a short note with it, in the hopes a young kid finds it and sparks his or her interest in collecting.

I'd like to get some thoughts and examples from you guys. Thanks.

djm

I would bet that if you go back in a week the album will be in the library with the coins removed.

coastaljerseyguy

And in the change at the local candy store

Mr_Spud

I did something similar a long time ago, only I put a few BU Kennedys in an album in a bookstore in a mall and put it back on the shelf. I remember getting rolls of Kennedy’s from a bank to look for silver and I still had the leftovers in my coat pocket when I went to the book store.

Looking back now, it was probably a stupid thing for me to do, but I thought it might motivate a kid to start collecting. I think I was feeling generous because I did find some silver, but the store might not have liked me doing that.

Manifest_Destiny

Ipsa scientia potestas est

Dave99B

Great idea! I've left a few dateless Buffalo nickels in various CoinStar returns, hoping to inspire someone.

Dave

TheGoonies1985

Putting to much trust in humans can and will most likely not end well. Why not see if you have a local coin club and donate it there to a kid starting off.

tommy44

Leaving a old red book might not be a bad idea either.

bsshog40

The generations of today are nothing like the generations of yesterday. Better to find a youth that would be interested.

JBK

I'm not quite as cynical as some posters here.

Those mini-libraries represent a generous gesture on the part of the donors. If there was s coin book in there then maybe a parent who was perusing the books might bring it home for a child.

Tramp

If you use cash and get change back, the youngsters are unable to count the change back to you. Nearly everything has gone CC, debit card, store card, digital e.g. PayPal or Zelle, Venmo, etc.

Is our hobby or investments destine for nothingness to become obsolete or worthless? I hope not.

gumby1234

Happiness is a choice

erscolo

That is an interesting concept (Neighborhood book exchange) I have never heard of. I see no harm and only potential benefits in doing as you suggest. Cynicism is easy to fall into and only perpetuates a dim negative view of life, and life is too short for that in any case. Coins mark time, they reflect history, and each of us is a product of that history. You will never know if you do not try, and the investment will not break the bank.

ShaunBC5

I like this idea. Most of the kids I’ve ever seen use these libraries are good kids with involved families. The odds of someone taking that has at least a mild interest are pretty good.
I would say something nice about the kid “whoever takes this book is obviously a thoughtful child who appreciates the history we hold in our hands that is our coinage” or something along those lines and then something about yourself “I hope this inspires a lifelong love for collecting like I have had, or at least gives some joy in searching coins and filling holes.”
Best of luck! I hope you hook a new collector!

rte592

Put one of those AIR Tags in it and see where it travels to

WAYNEAS

@OAKSTAR
What a great idea.
As stated above, adding a Red Book would enhance your gift.
I would tape the holder closed, bind it together with string and add a note on the cover that these books are for young kids only.
I believe that these neighborhood libraries cater to a different type of personality than those that we are used to encountering and not remove it.
Wayne

mtn_scout

I think that is a really cool idea, that I am likely to copy!

daltex

@djm said:
I would bet that if you go back in a week the album will be in the library with the coins removed.

You're talking about a generation that throws away their cents because they aren't worth, what?, taking to the Coinstar? None of these people are going to waste their time stealing 30¢. Almost anyone who takes those coins will have, or at least attempt to foster, an interest in numismatics. At worst they'll take the coins to a pawn shop, but I'd take the folder too because I'd expect to get more with it.

keyman64

I would just put in a cheap used Red Book.

MedalCollector

Great idea! Even if you left an empty Whitman, it may spark some interest from a parent or kid. Cool idea!

This is something that the ANA should sponsor for members to do across the country. It’s cheap and may draw some folks into the hobby. There would be ways for them to also market the ANA as an organization and maybe bring new folks in with a free 6-month or 1-year membership etc. Not sure if thats against the Little Free Library rules though…

Thanks for making this post. I may do something in my neighborhood Little Free Libraries! There are many in my neck of the woods.

jmlanzaf

@JBK said:
I'm not quite as cynical as some posters here.

Those mini-libraries represent a generous gesture on the part of the donors. If there was s coin book in there then maybe a parent who was perusing the books might bring it home for a child.

I agree. I also don't see the downside. It's a 25 cent experiment.

I wonder if I could get my bank to hand them out.

Jzyskowski1

Advice?
Hummmmmmm
How about….
🎶 Nothing ventured, nothing gained 🎶
Thanks 🙏

Steven59

Darn good idea but your'e up against I-phones and I-pads nowadays with kids.

OAKSTAR

I like the idea of adding an old Redbook and a note on the cover for a young child.

I think I might even pull a few of these cents out from the folder and mix them into a common roll. I don't want to go overboard but it might be fun for a kid to search a roll and find them.

I'm not quite sure of the words I'll us on the inside note. Maybe something along these lines.

To the young person who finds this folder of coins:

The coins you hold are a part of American history and tradition.

I hope this inspires a lifelong love for collecting coins like it has for me. Enjoy!

Project Numismatics

Feels like a great way to get rid of those Whitman folders that pile up but are too inexpensive or time consuming to sell.

Tbh, a Whitman holder with a 25 wheat cents is probably worth less than a used copy of a decent children’s book, so I wouldn’t be concerned that anyone would ‘steal’ it.

It could really inspire a kid or parent - go for it! Maybe leave a note or business card in there with the contact info of your favorite LCS as well!

braddick

"I think it's a swell idea."
-Theodore Cleaver

ElmerFusterpuck

I think it's a fantastic idea, and I like the idea of adding a Redbook with it too.

The cynicism of some here is beyond preposterous. So tired of the "kids these days, why I orta...!" attitude.

pmh1nic

I like the idea I just don’t know if leaving it for a random individual is a good idea. If you know an elementary school teacher maybe you can donate it to their class to complete as a class project. It could be connected to a short history lesson on an important event that occurred as the holes are being filled.

OAKSTAR

@pmh1nic said:
I like the idea I just don’t know if leaving it for a random individual is a good idea. If you know an elementary school teacher maybe you can donate it to their class to complete as a class project. It could be connected to a short history lesson on an important event that occurred as the holes are being filled.

That's a good idea as well. I'll save that for the next folder.

OAKSTAR

I'm still working on it. I'll post pictures of it, before I put it in the box.

johnny9434

I was just thinking about asking the residents here then send a few over their way, fwiw

mikee999

visit your local elementary school & propose starting a coin club for the older kids 5th & 6th graders.

provide some partial filled whitman folders & give them to the top three students with the best essay on coin collecting as a hobby (winners determined by the teacher(s).

Namvet69

I built and installed a little library in front of our house. It's got hard cover books in it that had an msrp of up to $50. Sharing books is a way to pay it forward. I don't concern myself with who takes them. Your idea has merit. Good luck. Peace Roy

NeophyteNumismatist

Explain some about the coins, so the kid is less likely to spend them. The steel and shell brass Lincolns could spark curiosity, but the kid has to know what they are looking at.

OAKSTAR

@NeophyteNumismatist said:
Explain some about the coins, so the kid is less likely to spend them. The steel and shell brass Lincolns could spark curiosity, but the kid has to know what they are looking at.

Yes, good idea. I think I'll mention a little something about the 43 steel and the WWII history behind that coin.

OAKSTAR

This is the exact kind of kid I'm hoping will find the folder.

retirednow

I go the bank and get rolls of Dollar coins and leave them in my golf bag or car. Then I use them for small cash tips ... like a couple of bucks to the golf cart kids at the club, or a tip after I pick up a sandwich at the stand. Amazing the number of young adults had never seen a contemporary dollar coin. i remind them that it is not a quarter, I hear several times ... "gee I think I will collect these".

JWP

@OAKSTAR Only a ex-Marine would come up with this give-away. I know of another Marine that might do this too.

jmlanzaf

@OAKSTAR said:

@NeophyteNumismatist said:
Explain some about the coins, so the kid is less likely to spend them. The steel and shell brass Lincolns could spark curiosity, but the kid has to know what they are looking at.

Yes, good idea. I think I'll mention a little something about the 43 steel and the WWII history behind that coin.

Who cares if the kid spends them. Then multiple people might get them in change. There is NO downside to your idea.

OAKSTAR

@jmlanzaf said:

@OAKSTAR said:

@NeophyteNumismatist said:
Explain some about the coins, so the kid is less likely to spend them. The steel and shell brass Lincolns could spark curiosity, but the kid has to know what they are looking at.

Yes, good idea. I think I'll mention a little something about the 43 steel and the WWII history behind that coin.

Who cares if the kid spends them. Then multiple people might get them in change. There is NO downside to your idea.

You gotta point there. 👍🏻

MrEureka

I like the idea, but I’d like it better with a Memorial Cents album. Otherwise, almost impossible for kids to fill the holes.

OAKSTAR

@MrEureka said:
I like the idea, but I’d like it better with a Memorial Cents album. Otherwise, almost impossible for kids to fill the holes.

Another excellent point! Answering the question: Why I started this thread. 👍🏻

OAKSTAR

Okay, it's done. Tired of messing with it. Thanks to each of you for your input and feedback. It goes in the box tonight. I placed a short anonymous note on the inside. If it works, it works. Who knows, the kid might end up with our collections one day! 😂 🤣

gonzer

Since cents are rarely used in commerce anymore (And in the change at the local candy store ) an empty National Parks quarter folder could be the ticket to spark a new YN.

mtn_scout

@GoldenEgg said:
Great idea! Even if you left an empty Whitman, it may spark some interest from a parent or kid. Cool idea!

This is something that the ANA should sponsor for members to do across the country. It’s cheap and may draw some folks into the hobby. There would be ways for them to also market the ANA as an organization and maybe bring new folks in with a free 6-month or 1-year membership etc. Not sure if thats against the Little Free Library rules though…

Thanks for making this post. I may do something in my neighborhood Little Free Libraries! There are many in my neck of the woods.

ANA summer seminar is going on (granted I'm local) but I picked up some of their fliers about 'Coins for A's' and 'Become a Young Numismatist' and am going to go to Hallenbeck's tomorrow in hopes they have some used Whitman folders. I'll put a few starter coins in the folders and the ANA handouts. Also got 5 older spiral bound red books (for $2.50) that I'll put in little library over time as I distribute the folders. The volunteer helping out with the book sale thought someone would just take the few coins I'll put in the folder and chuck the folder but my thought is I won't know and it's more about the possibility of turning a child onto the hobby.

matt_dac

I like it….maybe it will find its way to the right sort. A cheap experiment as someone else noted.

JWP

@OAKSTAR I like the Lincoln cent folder idea/giveaway. You can always go to the bank and get rolls of cents. A early member of the CRH club may become a future coin collector.

Estil

How about this one:

And here's one of my own (if someone else came up with it first feel free to correct me):

Never listen to or take advice from someone who wants you to fail.

OAKSTAR

@Estil- When I come to the fork in the road, I take it! 😂 🤣

OAKSTAR

It's been a year and a half. I never found out what happened to or who found the coins, Whitman folder and Red Book.

Have you ever done anything like this?

seatedlib3991

It has been some time now but I used to let the local Boy Scouts use my thousands old wheat cents to fill their folders and earn their merit badges. A new scout leader came in years ago and was not interested in the idea. Some people look at what works or doesn't, others discard anything that predates them. Seen it my entire life. James