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 Replies: 16 / Views: 3,333 |
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Valued Member
United States
54 Posts |
My son's class is doing a unit on money. It is just a what coin is what?, how much money do I have? Can I make change? kind of a study. He asked me if I would bring some of my old coins to his class and let the kids see some history. I have enough interesting examples in closed cases that knowing what to take is not a problem. I would like to print little handouts for all the kids. Do any of you have experience with this? What type of junior coin collector stuff would you print or take? Also, I think taking some coins to give to the kids could make it more fun. There's only like 20 of them, so maybe 100 wheat pennies and 20 common Buffalo nickels? Any thoughts on what would be the right combination of interesting and inexpensive? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
How about some old coin magazines and books , an old magnifying glass , and some old flips or small envelopes to put their Wheaties in .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
917 Posts |
Bring in a 2 dollar bill. That's something they wouldn't know about. The wheats and buffalos are a great idea. Coins that are older than grandma and grandpa are always cool.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
A 2nd grader would not be able to understand any technical material. History and dates would be beyond their comprehension.
Stick to the old, "show and tell" or show and awe. Bring a steel cent put it in a pile with regular cents and stick a magnet in the pile.
Show a new $10, $20 or higher and explain what to look for to see it is real, ie. magnet strip, hologram.
If you do give out coins make sure you have a sealable envelope. As mentioned above. Second graders loose things fast.
Keep it simple. Retired K-8 teacher.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3469 Posts |
Many, if not most, of these children have not been exposed to cash or coins other than a holiday/birthday card with "money" in it. bpoc1 has provided a great list and many great suggestions. I'm sure your presentation will be a hit with the kids, Coconice. Get ready for the many, many questions you're going to get.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1963 Posts |
A steel cents in a pile of Wheaties and bring in a Morgan dollar. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Bring a selection of modern coins and ask them why they think they are as big as they are. Then show them a full array of classic silvers, Half Dime through dollar. They might not comprehend the history, but seeing the size of the coins will stick with them. Another fun hands-on activity: Pass arond a few Ike dollars and tell them about how nobody wanted to carry a pocket full of those. Show them a SBA dollar next and ask what is wrong with it. Then, fill a small bucket with quarters, and mix in one SBA and one Sac. Pick a couple volunteers and challenge them to find both dollar coins as quickly as possible. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4591 Posts |
Junior Achievement has a wonderful program for kids, which includes money (although that's the 3rd grade class) https://www.juniorachievement.org/w.../ja-programsPoint being that showing actual money would be a wonderful adjunct. Bring some inexpensive world coins to leave behind. That will be treasure to some of the kids. Especially if they are countries they can relate to. -----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Valued Member
 United States
54 Posts |
This thread is very helpful, and I really appreciate it.
I think I'd have just let them all grab a wheatie and then lose it. I think I'll put some coins in 2x2s or even tiny zip lock bags.
Their teacher suggested cookies decorated like a coin, too. Gotta haz snacks.
I think, with some rational prep work, I can have something brief and fun and maybe plant a seed for a future collector.
Thanks all!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Your getting a lot of good ideas, sounds like it will be fun.
Just to add some ideas.
Mint and proof sets from the year they are born.
Then maybe some coins that are 100 or 200 years older.
Some Spanish Reales to show coins that were used in early America.
Shipwreck coins.
Maybe coins or currency that has a connection to your area.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12819 Posts |
Great ideas, all. This sounds like fun. Let us know how it goes!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Quote:
Mint and proof sets from the year they are born. You mean a 2009 proof set? Feeling old in 3...2...1... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4469 Posts |
I would bring a Half Cent, large cent, Two Cent and a Three Cent. If you bring a Morgan, make sure it is raw and something they can handle. The weight of the Morgan is impressive compared to today's coins. Excellent idea to give away some buffalo's and wheat's. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Consider working with your local B&M. I know I've gotten hundreds of coins from him for under 10 cents apiece. The cheap foreign coins have lots of images of animals and ships. A class of 30 would cost $3, and you might talk him into a deal for 30 coin envelopes (that have his return address or store logo.) ANA may have suitable booklets for just such a project. A pretty assistant named Penny Nichols is optional. Good luck and have fun. |
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Valued Member
United States
79 Posts |
This is a very cool thread, Coconice. I'm sure you have inspired several others to watch for an opportunity like this.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1963 Posts |
I think buying that many 2009 Proof sets will run your bankrupt pretty fast.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 3,333 |
Posted 02/23/2017 11:24 am
