| Author |
 Replies: 17 / Views: 2,921 |
|
Valued Member
United States
309 Posts |
I have decided to put together a type set for my middle school classroom, mostly to use as supplemental material during history lessons. Seems like a good way to connect the past with today. I was thinking of using a 7070 album because of the logical chronological order and groupings. I realize how expensive one of these sets can be to put together and I have seen some really beautiful sets that folks have posted on this site. I'm thinking about including the least expensive versions of coins I can assemble but that still have the devices necessary to gain the kids attention. For example, large cents that may have been harshly cleaned and lost almost all collectible value but have good enough images for the kids to easily distinguish what they are and the differences between coins of that time period and today. I may also have a few loose coins so that they can pass some around and allow me not to worry about them being damaged. I just wanted to get some suggestions from the people who are on this site about this type of project. To me, this has a totally different feel than the way I would usually look for coins (nicest example I can afford). It also seems counterintuitive to buying coins with the hope that they will increase in value in the future. The value I expect to get has nothing to do with the value of the coins but the interest that kids get from relating them to history. I've thought about using a binder and mylar flips with the 2x2 pages but I like the presentation value that a regular coin album would provide. Wouldn't necesarily have to be a 7070 either. Any of them would do.
So...what do y'all think about something like this? I have a passion for collecting and an even bigger passion for educating my students and would like to share one passion to encourage the other. Any thoughts?
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
For "pass around-ability" you can't go wrong with TPG slabbed coins! The fingerprints left behind would not diminish their value.  Edited by oih82w8
03/23/2012 1:12 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2120 Posts |
Depending on how complete you want it to be, and the grade of coin you want, this can still be a very expensive set. I currently have 2 type sets, One is custom with High grade coins. The other is using a 7070, with all low grade/problem coins (still attractive IMO). The low grade set is 2 coins from completion and I have currently spent a hair under $1,000. Though, it is worth mentioning that about $450 of it, is from 7 of the 74 coins in the set. So you could build a very near complete set for probably around $500. The hard part is finding the right coin at a good price. I did this set entirely for fun with no hopes of increase in value. If you choose to go this route, I do have an extra "less than pretty" Holed Trade dollar. Hmmm random thought. Most of us here love the idea of getting kids interested... I know your post count is low, but you have been a member for quite some time. Perhaps if it's ok with the Admins, and you provide them proof of being a teacher, you could hold a "Donate to the Kids" drive, where members could donate a spare coin for this set. I'm sure there are many of us who have inexpensive pieces that have been upgraded, cleaned, etc that could fit the criteria and would love to help if it meant getting a couple kids interested in Numismatics. I know have a couple. ;) Thoughts? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7191 Posts |
I have a twentieth century type set in a capitol holder. A set such as this would be easier to assemble and is still impressive. With my experience with kids they like to hold the coins. Having inexpensive but old and even heavy coins could spark their interest. holding a Morgan or Peace dollar with comparison to the modern brass bucks they may be able to appreciate the past coinage more. Also I find photographs of high grade coins impressive. maybe a slide show of some gold or Seated coins for additional stimulation. |
|
Valued Member
 United States
309 Posts |
I'm really excited about putting together something for these guys. I've got quite a few that are working on quarter sets (both ATB and State Quarters). I know a lot of collectors didn't like those but I think they have been great for learning. My goals aren't about getting kids into coinage or collecting, it is all about engaging them in historical/relevant events, landmarks, time periods. Those that take away coin collecting as an interest...well, that's great too. I almost wish I was a stamp collector for this very reason, last thing I need is another hobby though. @oih82w8 - TPG coins would be great for "pass around-ability". I may bring in some for that. I definitely want to have some ungraded, un-slabbed, problem coins just for the tactile sensation of handling some old stuff. I also like the idea of an album or something to keep up with them in. I'm not worried about the kids stealing them, just being misplaced. @namachieli - That's a great idea. Thanks for that. I have no idea how I would put together a "coin drive"...but that's something to think about for sure. Also...holed coins, that's exactly what I'm getting at. Damaged stuff that people don't have any emotional/sentimental attachment with or not much investment in but that make great learning tools. I know what you mean about the expense of a 7070. That part is still in the air. The only reason I am even considering an album as opposed to a custom or just a three ring binder, is for presentation. As a matter of fact, the binder keeps sounding better just so I can add to it over time and have more than one coin of each type. @muddler - I'll look into the capitol holders for sure. 20th century doesn't go back far enough though. I know I want some 1800 coins, maybe even late 1700's. I do like the idea of a slide show, especially for gold coins. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
The Seated dollars seem like they would be the biggest obstacle. Maybe you could start with just quarters or dimes or halves and then expand? That way, you can get a wide range of dates without having to hit up on some of the real high price stuff until later. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Not sure of the age groups you are discussing but for economy purposes and a flexible method, I'd try using those 20 slot plastic sheets for 2x2's. Then putting them in a large 3 ringed binder. Doing this you could leave spaces for future additions. If all coins were in a 2x2 flip, you could write something on them and/or just put a number on them. Then add a sheet of cardboard or heavy paper in front of each one of those plastic 20 slotted pages for informatioin. With a number on the 2x2, such as 244 and the date, then on that sheet in front of that you could have a item number with all sorts of information about that coin.
Sort of a text book about coins and the history dealing with them. Also, this would allow you to even add more or less coins as time progresses. The students likes and dislikes could be discussed and such a binder of coins could be modified to agree with any such suggestions.
As an example you might hear students mention why so many Pennies and so few Nickels.
And of course you might want to mention it does not say Pennies on our Cents but that would be just ignored anyway.
The above suggestion is so much better than an Album of any type where information about the coins is just not possible. Having a page for such information on the coins, their history, quantitiy minted, where minted, etc. could be added and make each coin more interesting.
Might end up being a coin/history text book and you could end up being rich from that.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
309 Posts |
I'm sure there won't be " Seated dollars". If I can find one that is very rough around the edges then that would be enough for this purpose. |
|
Valued Member
United States
309 Posts |
@just carl - that's what I'm talking about...lesson plan ideas. Definitely convinced that the binder is the way to go now too. Absolutely right about being able to include information on the flips that I wouldn't be able to include in a pre-made album. I'm also going to use namachieli's idea about the "coin drive" and see what I can get some of the publishing companies to donate for supply stuff, maybe some more quarter folders while I'm at it, I've bought plenty...that's for sure.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
652 Posts |
Why not start by denomination? I would think a low grade nickel type set to start off with would be pretty low cost to gather.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2120 Posts |
I think you would be able to skip the the harder to find/more expensive peices, and just use a visual aid to show the design. But having a big heavy Peace or Morgan dollar, or Trade dollar in your hand speaks for its self. I would think just talking to the Admins on the best way to go about setting up the donation (if you want to go that route) would be best. I for one would love to donate a couple pieces if it means hooking a few bright eye'd youngsters. (I'm 26 btw. ;) ) |
|
CCF Sponsor
United States
702 Posts |
Personally, I LOVE this idea.
I'd stay away from the 7070 idea, but rather pic affordable, low-end coins that relate directly to the history lesson you're trying to emphasize. Look for holed, corroded or bent coins. That just makes them feel old, which is what you want.
Personally, I'd stay away from slabbed coins - the whole idea is for the kids to connect with history, so I assume you'll be passing it around the classroom. For me, the biggest connection to history is holding the coin in my hands. I understand you're tempting fate, but if they're "cheap" coins and one or two of them get lost, shouldn't be a big deal. Set up protocols such that the kids have to hold the coin with both hands in front of them and explain that the coins you are sending around are not valuable and if any turn up missing you'll cancel that type of lesson in the future.
Storing in a binder with 2"x2" is my preference, also. You could have students do reports about the coins and leave the copies of the best for each coin in the folder.
Good luck and keep us updated!
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
If you end up setting something up, that members here could donate coins .. I know I would try
and send a couple for the cause. Maybe plan to set up a sign up sheet, so you could get different
coins.
What popped into my head as I was reading was to take a Dansco Presidential albumn and put a coin into
the slots .. that were in circulation during that presidents term of office.
Of course all the selected coins would have to be the size of small dollars .. or smaller.
If you selected the P and D set/album .. you could place the correct small dollar coin
and a coin from their term of office.
The 7070 album is a good idea .. just was thinking there may be another choice that may be cheaper.
Of course I have not researched if any ...presidential terms of office had all high priced coins.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
206 Posts |
Just Take in some buffs , a Mercury dime, and some IHCs to spark their interest, and use seeing bigger, more valuable coins as a reward for good behavior. Eventually all the way up to a $1 gold. This is all from a middle schooler, it will work  Good Luck! MorganDude26 (Also, try bringing coins in from historical dates like 1876[the centennial], or 1863[emancipation proclamation]) Edited by MorganDude26
03/23/2012 7:23 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
309 Posts |
Thanks everyone.
For sure not going to use the 7070. I want to step outside of those boundaries a little and not have missing holes for ones I just can't fill. I'm going to start with the 2x2 album to make some coins available sooner rather than later. Because of justcarl's post I also want to take some large note cards, fold them over like the 2x2 flips, cut appropriately coined sized holes in them. Then figure out how to glue in my own mylar or plastic, essentially making a 3x5 flip (estimation). On the notecard/homemade flip could be notes about the coin or time period and that flip could have a holder/slot in a scrapbook that would have even more information (bigger picture kind of stuff) that relates to the lesson itself. Later, the large homemade flips could be taken out and placed in quiz groups for students to recall the bigger picture info with prompting from the coin flips themselves. Anything to help recall without flatout giving the exact information, you know? I will for sure keep some just for passing around as well. I'm really not worried about any of them being stolen from me. It is a really poor school but they are really great kids who love the kind of stuff that is different than what they normally get.
All of this will be an extended work in progress that I will definitely keep you guys posted on.
Also, that's why I love this site. I may not post often but I find myself reading someone's post almost everyday since I joined it.
Thanks
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
Very good idea I wish my teachers would have done something like this when I was in school! Check your local coins dealers and perhaps they will donate some low grade problem coins that they can't sell to the cause. Even the very early 19th century type coins can be found this way at an affordable price. Also consider some currency with fractionals or colonial currency being some interesting options. You would have to watch it very closely but you could find a well worn piece of colonial currency to pass around. A surprising number of them are signed by prominent statesman of the time and I have a 1777 4 pence from John Dunlap's print shop. They are relatively affordable for how old they are with lower grade examples possibly coming in under $100.
|
| |
Replies: 17 / Views: 2,921 |
Posted 03/23/2012 1:31 pm
