Coins for My Children

So, when my first son was born 2 years ago...I wanted to purchase some kind of coin related item, tied to the year of his birth that I could save and give him when he was older. Originally, I wanted to purchase something of significant value...my plan was a Proof 1oz Gold Eagle. Unfortunately, at the time (this was summer of 2014)...I was still in my first year or business and we had yet to turn a profit. The money simply wasn't available. But, I wanted to do something.

Being extremely budget limited, I thought something simple like a proof set would be good. Nice proof examples of all the circulation coins minted during the year of his birth. But, that alone seemed a too weak. I wanted something with a little more inherent value...and I wanted something I could easily purchase again if we had more children (which we were planning on having).

So, I ultimately decided to purchase him two items. I liked the idea of the proof set...because he would have an example of each coin from the year of his birth. But, I decided to go for the silver proof set. I also bought him a proof ASE. I figured a full silver ounce would be a nice addition to the silver proof set and together those items wouldn't break the bank. So, I purchased a 2014 Silver Proof Set and a 2014 Proof ASE for my son Owen.

Well, fast forward almost two years later and we had a second son this last April...Oliver. Well, Oliver got the same thing. I order a 2016 Silver Proof Set and a 2016 Proof ASE. I think they will be nice keepsakes for them once they get older.

 

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That's awesome! I like the idea of including the ASE, and IMO silver is definitely the way to go for an heirloom. I got started collecting with my dad when I was around 12. It's definitely been an integral part of our relationship, and I hope to do that if I ever have children myself!

 

OK, gotta' tell you my "birth year" story. A gentleman who lives two doors down was born in 1920. For his birthday one year, I gave him a 1920 walking liberty half. A couple of years later, he confessed to me that he couldn't find it. I got him another one, but got to thinking that he had three children, so I got him another one so that each child could have one to remember their father.

 

That's basically what happened with me. My dad got me into it and although he doesn't actively collect anymore (hasn't for years)...it's still something we have in common. For my 30th birthday he gave me a 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent.

 

Actually, it's kinda funny. My two year old (Owen) lately has been flipping through some of my coin albums (rather aggressively I might add) because he likes to look at the coins. So, I got a variety of random coins (just circulated current coins, dateless Buffalo nickel, Ike, ect.) and put them in 2x2s. I appropriated a denture box from work (because 2x2s fit quite nicely in them) and gave it to him...he was happy as can be and likes to "play" with them regularly.

So, the other night I was looking at some of my coins at my desk and he walks up to me and wants to look too. I happened to be looking at my St. Gaudens Double Eagle. I said "Owen, do you want to see a gold coin?" He nodded with a big grin...so I handed him the coin (it's in a slab...so I figured it was safe for him to hold). So, he holds it and looks at it...then looks at me, points at the coin and says "gold coin!" Then, after a brief pause, he says "Owen keep it" and he started to walk off. It was funny...but now I have to keep an eye on the gold.

 

That's cool I did the same thing for my son (born in May). I am also contemplating getting a commemorative of some kind. My dad bought us each a 3 coin Civil War commemorative set and told us the stories of our two great-great-great grandfathers that fought in that war.

 

Those are very cool idea's. One that I like that compliments the birth year set is a 100 years before you were born set. When they get older, they can look at both set's and get a bit of a history lesson. Oliver's will be a little different as 1916 was a transition year for coin designs, but the Barber version of the Quarter will be much easier to acquire than the Standing Liberty Version.

 

That's not a bad idea. Perhaps a birthday present when they get a little older if they start to get interested in the hobby.

I have considering doing something like that for the me...100 years before I was born. Trouble is that 1885 Nickel is a bit pricy.

 

That's cool stuff. I assembled a 1950 and 54 proof sets for the birth years of me and my wife.

My daughter -- born in 1982 -- saw them and opined (correctly) that her birth year coins are those "cheap ones they make now"

Well, I got an '82 proof set for a few bucks. Going to stick it in her stocking. I think she'll get a kick out of it.

 

The first proof set I ever bought was from my birth year...1985. I think I paid $5 for it. I still have it. I got it when I was a kid, it has a small mark on the case over the quarter. I remember as a kid thinking it made it look like something was hanging out of Washington's nose...haha. It's the little things you remember.

 

82 is my wife's year. You know she has a 1982 proof set!!

 

I feel cheated for my birth year set. My 1975 Mint set comes with a 1976 Dated Dollar, Half and Quarter leaving only a Dime, Nickel and Cent with 1975.

 

I feel like the only realistic way to deal with this tragedy is to go online and buy a 1975 Krugerrand.

 

I think this is a brilliant idea. Sir, you are a genius.

 

Thank you. it doesn't happen often.

 

Hahahahahaha.

Actually, it sorta makes me think. The year I was born was 1985. The started producing the ASE and the AGE in 1986...so I missed it one lousy year. They even skipped it with the commemoratives. Perhaps I should add a 1985 Krugerrand to my list. I feel like that's sorta the classic international gold bullion coin...probably the best option.

 

That would be cool. Because I think in 1975 it was illegal to own a Krugerrand because of it being a South African coin.

 

Only one of my kids, the youngest, still collects. She will probably lose interest soon.

 

It was not legal to own gold in the USA until around that time. K-rands didn't become illegal to import until ca. 1982 or so.

 

I would love to do that, but 1945 proof sets are a wee bit over my budget.