Silver Eagles Or Proof Sets?

If you go proof sets get the silver versions. The ASE's are nice as they are large and have a classic design. As I collect both each option is a nice introduction to a child.

Agree with Muddler...silver PF sets or a nice PF ASE...not helping your decision but either one is fine

that birth year sets are great, but again it depends on their age for their appreciation of what's been given them. Younger kids are going to want to open them [annual set x2], teens might not think they're "cool"...[go silver proof].

I got my own daughters the Silver Premier sets for their birth years (mid-1990s), and gave them to them when they were late teens. They were like, "Um, cool Dad; I will definitely find a place for these."

Are you going for a Keepsake or the beginning of a set or something to display? Again, it depends on how old they are. My grandfather gave me a circulated Peace dollar on my birthday every year, so I have 13 of them that I was able to handle & stack when I was a little younger (I didn't get hands on until I was old enough to appreciate what they were) and then reflect on after he died.

Thank you everyone for your input. My grandchildren are 9 and 7. I got my grandson (the 9 year old) a roll of halves for his birthday and after thank you he said "grammy, I'm not as addicted to coins as you are." That's when I decided I needed to change that and make them WANT to collect coins. Unfortunately there was nothing good in that roll. I've since planted wheats in rolls for them to "find", pre 60's and a War Nickel here and there and an occasional 40% or 90% half. I started putting together Kennedy half books for them because kids love big money. This has become an obsession for me. Their eyes will be the size of half dollars when they open the books for Christmas. I've found some really beautiful coins.

My grandfather bought us proof and mint sets when both were available from the year we were born until his death, then my parents continued. I much prefer the sets that contain silver. He also gave us Morgan and Peace dollars for our birthdays. I cherish those to this day and I want my grandchildren to do the same.

Whatever I do decide to do will be from the years of their birth and I'll add to them for birthdays and Christmas.

Andrew99, I like the idea of putting a birth year set together but I think that's something I would like them to help me with so they are more involved.

Beidercoins, I love the magnifying glass idea.

So where would be the best place for me to look for 2007 and 2009 silver proof sets or ASE? As I said, I've never paid more than face for a coin and really don't know where to go. And I still don't know which way to go.

Thank you all for your help with this.

Oh and a big

I think if I had grandchildren I'd go for the ASE but BOTH are excellent choices.

ASE. Who wouldn't love a big, lustrous silver dollar from their birth year.

Back in 2013, before my daughter was born, I went into the LCS (my first visit, actually) to ask about a mint or proof set to honor her birth. The guy recommended a Silver Eagle instead. I'm glad he did.

I think many of us have trouble getting their kids and grandkids
involved in collecting. And I think many of us are taking the
the same path. Proof sets and ASE's.

I have proof sets for everyone in my family, silver if there
is one clad if that is the only one available.

I also put together blank ASE Dansco albums for each grandkid.
Each grandkid has a album with their named labeled and dates
starting the year they were born. So each year I fill another
hole for three grandkid. I do have 4 sets going for myself,
so that is a good amount of eagles to buy each year.



I have one daughter that ended up having a interest in coins.
When she was getting ready to leave the house, go out on her
own, I gave her a 1885 $5.00 gold Liberty coin. It is 100 years
older than her. I think that coin has helped keep her interest
in coin collecting. One year, for Christmas, I gave my daughter and son in law, NGC MS 64 Morgan's that were
100 years older than each of them. Now my son in law
likes Morgan dollars.

The biggest thing I am doing to get my grandkids interested
in coins is putting together a treasure chest. When they are
all teenagers I plan to let them go on a treasure hunt.
With maps and clues .. and let them all share in the treasure.