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If you want to give a coin as a Bar Mitzvah gift, is there any one that is more appropriate than oth

LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Personally, I have never been to a Bar Mitzvah before (I actually had to look up the word to see how to spell it image). Anyway, in early November, Mrs. Longacre is jetting out to California to party like a rockstar at our nephew's Bar Mitzvah. The downside is that I will have the kids for about four days, but the upside is that it's during the weekend of CoinFest, so I will (hopefully) be able to leisurely stroll the aisles if I can get a babysitter for the kids on Saturday.

My nephew is a coin collector (nothing serious because he does not have a lot of money to spend, but very enthusiastic). When he visited us over the summer, I bought him a 1798 cent, and he really liked it. For a Bar Mitzvah present, I would like to get him some sort of coin.

For those in the know, are there any coins that are more appropriate for a present for this occasion than others? Is silver more acceptable, or is gold the typical standard? Do people do "cheesy" things like getting a date from his birth year (or 100 years from his birth year, etc.), or are there really no rules?
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)

Comments

  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Dahlonega gold in PCGS XF-45 or better is always a classy gift. I never did get one for my Bar Mitzvah. Don't leave the nephew similarly disappointed. image

    (Please capitalize the B and the M unless you want me to dis Christmas image )
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭


    << <i>(Please capitalize the B and the M unless you want me to dis christmas image ) >>




    image
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>(Please capitalize the B and the M unless you want me to dis Christmas image ) >>




    image >>



    All of them. image
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>(Please capitalize the B and the M unless you want me to dis christmas image ) >>




    image >>



    All of them. image >>



    Geez you're quick. Fixed!
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • pmacpmac Posts: 3,189 ✭✭✭
    I'm surprised that Longacre didn't consult with RYK before posting. The editing by Longacre is slowing this thread down. Can I be your nephew if $2 1/2 Dahlonega's are involved?
    Paul
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Definitely gold.... that is the only way to go for a Bar Mitzvah... Cheers, RickO
  • 500Bay500Bay Posts: 1,108 ✭✭✭
    Shouldn't Christmas be capitalized, then? image
    Finem Respice
  • JulianJulian Posts: 3,370 ✭✭✭
    There are lots of Israeli commemorative coins, some even with the Bar Mitzvah motif. If he is not interested in Israeli coins, then find out what kind of coins that he likes and buy him something that he needs for his collection. I have often given non-numismatists items from their birth year, which in this case would be 1995. Since he is a nephew, might I suggest the 1995-W 5 piece set, probably available for 6K or so. Just take it out of Mrs. L's Tiffany budget, if you cannot find it elsewhere.
    PNG member, numismatic dealer since 1965. Operates a retail store, also has exhibited at over 1000 shows.
    I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.

    eBaystore
  • 500Bay500Bay Posts: 1,108 ✭✭✭
    I don't know about what would be appropriate, but an ancient shekel might be a nice gift:



    Shekel
    Finem Respice
  • SaorAlbaSaorAlba Posts: 7,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Indeed there are some pretty cool Israeli gold coins, I even like the mini ones, like the Jakob and Rachel from the O/T series.
    Tir nam beann, nan gleann, s'nan gaisgeach ~ Saorstat Albanaich a nis!
  • bigmansam88bigmansam88 Posts: 1,209
    My friend's grandfather offered to buy him (his grandson) an 1895 Morgan for his Bar Mitzvah.

    I wouldn't mind receiving one of those image.
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Shouldn't Christmas be capitalized, then? image >>



    Done!
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Indeed there are some pretty cool Israeli gold coins >>



    Yep. They start from here and get even cooler with other designs.

    image

    (coin shown for example purposes only. Better pictures forthcoming image )

    I'm not Jewish and have no idea what would be ultra-appropriate.

    But I bet a nickel-sized piece of gold would be something super for an enthustiastic YN.

  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm not Jewish and have no idea what would be ultra-appropriate.

    I am. Ca$h is king! Give cash as the main gift and a token coin present along with it, say a circ 1799 large cent, just to show that you are interested in his collection.
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,923 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd suggest either a Proof Set/Commemoratives
    from the year he was born, or a 2008 Proof Set,
    with a few 2008 Commemoratives, up to your
    budget.

    You can also give a fractional gold coin dated 2008.

    The combinations and permutations are just about endless.
    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • MrXingMrXing Posts: 81
    At bris,,, to give the error coin with clipped planchet!
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>At bris,,, to give the error coin with clipped planchet! >>



    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • saintgurusaintguru Posts: 7,727 ✭✭✭
    When I was Bar Mitzvah'd all I wanted was to get laid. image

    It took 2 more loooooong years image
    image
  • SilverEagles92SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Shouldn't Christmas be capitalized, then? image >>



    Done! >>



    All of them. image
    image
    To support LordM's European Trip, click here!
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>When I was Bar Mitzvah'd all I wanted was to get laid. image

    It took 2 more loooooong years image >>



    Most people get Bar Mitzvah'ed before they are 24. image
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,723 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't know. but for a Bris, you might think about giving a clipped planchette coin
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Shouldn't Christmas be capitalized, then? image >>



    Done! >>



    All of them. image >>



    I did my share. Talk to Longacre about the rest. image
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>When I was Bar Mitzvah'd all I wanted was to get laid. image

    It took 2 more loooooong years image >>



    Most people get Bar Mitzvah'ed before they are 24. image >>





    POTD.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • MrXingMrXing Posts: 81


    << <i>I don't know. but for a Bris, you might think about giving a clipped planchette coin >>




    MrXing say THIS, i beat you;; you to slow for MrXing! China win OLYMPIC medal for messageboard!!!
  • jimmygjimmyg Posts: 139 ✭✭
    I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood. I got invited to my first Bar Mitzvah when I was in seventh grade. Neither of my parents are Jewish and we thought it was like a birthday party at temple. We knew it was important, so I got him a special birthday present (the year before I gave him a couple dinosaur transformers).

    He and I used to love to go bowling. I bought him a twelve pound blue bowling ball. I wrapped it in bright paper, dressed in my finest clothes (sixth grade graduation clothes which were a little too small), and went to temple.

    I found his mother and asked where all the presents were. She looked at me, smiled, and pointed to the table that was next to us. There were probably 200 people at his Bar Mitzvah and 199 of them brought cards with money. Those darn Gentiles.

    -jhg
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood. I got invited to my first Bar Mitzvah when I was in seventh grade. Neither of my parents are Jewish and we thought it was like a birthday party at temple. We knew it was important, so I got him a special birthday present (the year before I gave him a couple dinosaur transformers).

    He and I used to love to go bowling. I bought him a twelve pound blue bowling ball. I wrapped it in bright paper, dressed in my finest clothes (sixth grade graduation clothes which were a little too small), and went to temple.

    I found his mother and asked where all the presents were. She looked at me, smiled, and pointed to the table that was next to us. There were probably 200 people at his Bar Mitzvah and 199 of them brought cards with money. Those darn Gentiles.

    -jhg >>



    Jimmy,

    That was an excellent gift. I remember getting the hand held Mattel electronic football as a gift from a close friend, and that was my favorite gift of all.

    Since it's MrsL's family, just send her along with an SAE (is it okay to post that on this forum?), and you won't have to be worried about her ever being invited back again.

    RYK
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • sfs2002usasfs2002usa Posts: 914 ✭✭✭
    I would highly recommend some coin issues from the Israeli Mint. I have purchased
    from them before, for example I have the Einstein coinage and the Rabin Coinage.
    There are also some very nice other commem issues appropriate for the occasion
    such as the biblical coinage of the prophets.
  • GreeniejrGreeniejr Posts: 1,321 ✭✭✭
    On a serious note, I would give the Israeli 1961 Bar Mitzvah Commemorative. It is a silver coin commemorating the 13th year of the state of Israel. They are like 30 or 40 bucks I think.
  • RedTigerRedTiger Posts: 5,608 ✭
    I am surprised that no one has suggested a three-cent silver. The six pointed star motif seems to fit the theme. Also the young folks have good eyes so the small size wouldn't be a deterrent. Gold is also good, but a 3c silver plus cash or savings bonds would be right up there.

    I often give coins as presents. Most folks love what I select because I think about it, and usually find a sentimental tie in. Often times a low value sentimental gift plus cash works out best rather than spending all the gift money on a more expensive coin that may or may not be appreciated. Also low value sentimental coins are a lot less likely to be sold if and when the person needs cash. Expensive coins received as gifts are often near the top of the list, when cash is needed for a ski weekend or whatever, and they are sometimes dumped at pawn shops or local coin shops for next to nothing.

    /edit typos



    Investment blog: gold, stocks and more
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    When my nephew had his Bar Mitzvah I was told that 18 had special significance -- I never did find out why -- so I tried to find an 1818 large cent or Bust half to give as a gift. But I started looking too late and couldn't find an acceptable one, so I defaulted to cash.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • CoxeCoxe Posts: 11,139 ✭
    A coin dated 1818 would be nice. 18 is gematria for "chai", meaning "life". It is very common to invorporate that number in gifts ($18 in a card, for instance) or donations ($1,800 to Chabad). Less symbolic might be to choose a key date that would be outside the kid's allowance for a set he's working on. A combination might be, if he was doing Lincoln cents as an example, would be to find a nice 1918-S in decent, problem-free grade and condition.

    edited to add>>> Man, Dennis, that was scary. We both posted the same idea at the same time. This VAM thing has us too synch'ed up.
    Select Rarities -- DMPLs and VAMs
    NSDR - Life Member
    SSDC - Life Member
    ANA - Pay As I Go Member
  • julie43julie43 Posts: 261


    << <i>I'm not Jewish and have no idea what would be ultra-appropriate.

    I am. Ca$h is king! Give cash as the main gift and a token coin present along with it, say a circ 1799 large cent, just to show that you are interested in his collection. >>

    I wish my Niece and Nephew were Jewish they would rather I buy a gift they can open and I like to give cash, they still get cash anyway and will appreciate it more when they are older
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    >>> Man, Dennis, that was scary. We both posted the same idea at the same time. This VAM thing has us too synch'ed up. >>



    John: Great minds think alike! image
    When in doubt, don't.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>When I was Bar Mitzvah'd all I wanted was to get laid. image

    It took 2 more loooooong years image >>



    Most people get Bar Mitzvah'ed before they are 24. image >>



    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • sumnomsumnom Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Indeed there are some pretty cool Israeli gold coins >>



    Yep. They start from here and get even cooler with other designs.

    image

    (coin shown for example purposes only. Better pictures forthcoming image )

    I'm not Jewish and have no idea what would be ultra-appropriate.

    But I bet a nickel-sized piece of gold would be something super for an enthustiastic YN. >>



    I don't usually like Israeli coins but this one is cool!
  • saintgurusaintguru Posts: 7,727 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>When I was Bar Mitzvah'd all I wanted was to get laid. image

    It took 2 more loooooong years image >>



    Most people get Bar Mitzvah'ed before they are 24. image >>





    POTD. >>



    PUYA.

    And you and RYK can KMA. That's Yiddush. image
    image
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,694 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>When my nephew had his Bar Mitzvah I was told that 18 had special significance -- I never did find out why -- so I tried to find an 1818 large cent or Bust half to give as a gift. But I started looking too late and couldn't find an acceptable one, so I defaulted to cash. >>



    Try an autographed photo of Chai Chai Rodriguez...........
    Les Nessman
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,404 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A Bar Kochba tetradrachm would be nice. (Background here.)

    image

    Some more Bar Kochba coins listed for sale here. (Be sure to ask for the "Friends of Aki" discount.)


    And you can toss in a couple of books:

    image

    image

    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you care about "value" you need to be cautious with Israeli
    coins. They're great coins with low mintages and often in pre-
    cious metals but there are only about 5,000 serious Israeli col-
    lectors so higher mintages (almost all are) tend to go begging.
    The potential size of the market is large but be careful about
    price since it will generally prove difficult to recover premiums
    unless there is a sea-change in collector behavior.

    Palestinian coins appear to have a little wider demand but prices
    have increased a lot in recent years.

    If he was born in '95 I'd recommend against '95 mint and proof
    sets for the same reason. '93, '94 and '96 sets are good values
    though.

    It may be short notice but Egypt made King Tut (the boy king)
    coins in silver and gold in '86 and '93.

    There are always CA fractionals that would be interesting.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    Longacre,
    If you want to see a Bar Mitzvah summed up in a nutshell, check this youtube clip from "Keeping Up with the Steins." image
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,404 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Actually, a 1948 25 Mils would be a great choice. It's the first coin of modern Israel and legitimately scarce in nice unc.

    image

    image
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    I like the coin + cash suggestion.

    My Bar Mitzvah was so long ago I can't remember everything I got, but I do remember a pile of savings bonds which I cashed in when I left for college. If my relatives only knew what I did with that money. image

    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>When I was Bar Mitzvah'd all I wanted was to get laid. image

    It took 2 more loooooong years image >>



    Most people get Bar Mitzvah'ed before they are 24. image >>





    POTD. >>



    PUYA.

    And you and RYK can KMA. That's Yiddush. :funny: >>



    Gotcha!

    Back to the matter at hand:
    As a collector at the age of 13, if someone had bought me Israeli coins or strange biblical coins for my Bar Mitzvah, I would have thought it was a joke. I was no more interested in them 30 years ago than I am now.
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,552 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The more precious the metal, the more appreciated the coin.

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • BBQnBLUESBBQnBLUES Posts: 1,803 ✭
    Longacre;

    Here's a suggestion that would be unique !!

    Plant 13 trees in the Holy Land in Honor
    or
    Plant a Grove of Fruit Trees in Isreal

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