Help Needed ... Rec.'s for bulk/roll decent coins.

Nic · January 19, 2007 9:04AM

I want to give a talk/give away at my sons school for National Coin Week. Kindergarten classes (3); thought an Indian cent, Buff. nick., and Merc. dime each (150 coins total) would be neat. I want nice, full date, no junk coins to give away. Anyone have any rec.'s? I tried the BST without result. Hate to do Ebay for this though will if needed.

K

RYK · January 19, 2007 1:44PM

K,

I have done this in pre-school through first grade. I have found that one coin is more than enough (I suspect that one-third of the coins never make it home), and a shiny new design (like the 2005 buffalo nickel) is more popular with children in this agre group than the obsolete coins. If you want to go obsolete, dateless buffalo nickels would do the trick. I sense your enthusiasm for the presentation, but you do not want to burn them out when they are five. You will have ample opportunity to escalate the giveaway as the children get older.

One other thing that I do is give friends that come over for a playdate a coin to take home. Maybe an old merc dime, Kennedy half, buffalo nickel, Delaware state quarter (those suckers are hard to find in change!), etc. They think of me as the "coin guy". In fact, my son, in my presence and that of a friend, made a remark regarding a medical issue by stating, "My dad knows about that because he is a doctor." The friend retorted, "He's not a doctor, he's a...a...a...coin guy." I got a big kick out of that.

Good luck, tell us what you end up doing, and how it turns out. Be prepared for lots of questions including some you would have never in a million years expected.

RedTiger · January 19, 2007 2:16PM

I echo RYK's comments. One coin per kid is plenty. Perhaps let them choose one, or pick one from some baskets that are passed around. Kindergarten age kids will probably lose many of the coins before they get home or a few days after.

Another idea is a shiny proof coin in a 2x2. Most kids like shiny, shiny, and most have never seen a proof. 1970 and 80 era proofs are about the same cost or less than what you listed. You might write something such as "keep me and have good luck," on the holder, so the parents will squirrel them away once they get home.

A third idea is a mix of foreign coins, perhaps with topical designs. Again for little kids this is usually more interesting than something old and can compare to what their neighbor got.

pharmer · January 19, 2007 2:20PM

You should be able to pick up what you need fairly inexpensively at a coin shop.

RickMilauskas · January 19, 2007 3:59PM

I agree...one coin is plenty.

In my experience, many kids want to add the coin to their "piggy bank" with the other coins no matter how different you tell them it is.

clackamas · January 19, 2007 4:41PM

Kind of OT but sorta related. When you have those office Cristmas party gift exchanges that have to e under $20. SAE's go wild with eveyone stealing from everyone else. Loads of fun

BlindedByEgo · January 20, 2007 4:28AM

Check your PM, I would be willing to help.

MrBreeze · January 20, 2007 4:38AM

RYK

"My dad knows about that because he is a doctor." The friend retorted, "He's not a doctor, he's a...a...a...coin guy."

Be careful using doctor and coin guy in the same sentence.

Help Needed ... Rec.'s for bulk/roll decent coins.

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