Want To Fix A Childhood Mistake, Please Don't Cringe.

I think completed or starter sets are the way to go. The starter sets may be better, gives him something to do (filling the remaining holes).

I'm taking it by the "buy complete or starter sets" comments from most that y'all don't take this as the easy/un sentimental way out ?

I do not. That you are doing anything at all is commendable.

The starter sets would be preferable if he has any interest. Then your three generations can work together to fill the remaining holes. Just a thought.

I take it as the only realistic way you will locate enough coins to make it look like you aren't giving him three mostly empty albums. Silver dimes, nickels before say 1960 or wheat cents, especially before 1940 are pretty scarce. Short of getting thousands of dollars of boxes at the bank and going through them all, you are not going to find a lot of these. And even then you will still have many holes.

I think buying sets is your only real option unless you can find a dealer who will "load" a bag of wheaties for you as GR says (that is a really nice thing for a dealer to do by the way - that's a dealer who also loves coins).

I'm on my way to the USA now, so if you hear a little cringe about 36.000ft above you, it's me. Oh well, I've also had my moments when I was young, I guess, like we all have. Those should be the calculated risks for potential parents when starting a family, I guess, so don't feel too bad about it.

Just a few questions that come to mind:

First, hasn't your dad tried to collect those mints again in the last 30 years? If he really cared that much about coins, he probably would have done so and kept it a secret for your and your sis (with good reason ). Maybe try to find out first if he's still collecting and if so, what. Or was there another reason why he got emotional over it? Furthermore, if he actually already updated his collection of cents, dimes and nickels in solitude, would it perhaps be an idea to go to quarters or so? Also, would it be an idea to add all the coins since 1984 to date? That shouldn't be a big challenge and it 'adds' to the collection, I guess.

And finally: in case you can't complete the albums, why not invite your dad to fill them together as a nice project for the two of you? You seem to get along fine from what you wrote, so a nice join project that will last maybe a few years might be nice for 'quality time', as we call it here in Norway.

Now, there's nothing wrong with getting the coins (partially) from ebay or similar sites, if it helps. Also check some local coin shops, as they may sell such coins by the bulk. Or go coin roll hunting: it literally costs you nothing, except the time invested.

And I really like the idea to let the albums be accompanied by some ice cream! Pro tip: don't put that under the Christmas tree the night before already...

Consider sharing time with your Father and make it a join effort. The time shared and the memories gained are the real treasure.

And I would love to make it a joint project as some have suggested, but unfortunately in a week my father is moving from about 3 miles from me to about 3 hours away.

And GR58, I'm getting there slowly but surely. I don't post to other people's posts too much because I have nothing to offer yet.
I even wanted to reply on a want list early because I have a stack of the sacs someone has on their list and I have to wait. #128515;