Really don't know if this the best place for this post but here goes anyway. I have 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and standing by for my 11th great grandchild's arrival; in an attempt to pass on to this herd some interest in this hobby have had the brainstorm to start a collection of cents for each and everyone of them using pocket change and roll searching. Knowing full well, there is no way possible that I can ever afford to complete this project through a secondary market. Now here is the big question. Have heard from so many sources that these clad coins basically deteriorate from the inside out; are they really worth putting aside??? If so, is there a way to help preserve them? Thought about putting these albums in a separate area with some desiccant; but if they do go down the tube from the inside out, that would not help either. Maybe it is me, but I personally believe the newer series 09 and on, that the copper coating is getting thinner and thinner. Any input on this or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so very much.
I would think that you time and money would be better spend if you was to give a few US Commemorative to each G-child and GG-child. They are nice higher end coins that should retain some value as years go by. They bring history with them and may start a Numismatic interest better than a book full of old pennies. JMO
@Pop70 Have you considered purchasing a Mint Set or Proof Set for each birth year? At least then, if some of the children have no interest in collecting coins, they will still have a memento of sentimental value from their Gramps. Chris
A couple of things Pop - 1, trying to assemble that many sets (34 of them ?) from change and roll searching, well, to say it would be a difficult task is not quite saying enough. Even if ya defined the set as coins from 2000 on - that's still tough to do for that many. As for the idea of the "zincolns" deteriorating from the inside out, ehhhh, they don't really. Ya see, the only way zinc can deteriorate is if the zinc is exposed to the air. And if the copper plating is intact, then no air can ever get to the zinc. And if no air ever gets to the zinc, then there won't be any deterioration. That said, yes, sometimes there are bubbles formed under the plating because the zinc planchet started to corrode before it was ever plated. But once it is plated, that corrosion/deterioration stops because corrosion can't occur without air. Lastly the value aspect - are they really worth putting aside ? Simple answer - no they are not, at least not in a monetary sense. Meaning it is extremely unlikely that the coins will appreciate in value at all. Maybe the time your grandchildren and great grandchildren are your age they will, but I suspect it will take at least that long. Pop, the true value of the hobby is the hobby itself. The sheer joy of participating in the hobby is what makes it valuable, not the monetary value of the coins. And if you wish to pursue that through your children, grand and great grandchildren - that's an admirable idea. But I think the best way to do that is to try and sit down with each of them for a bit and share your collection with them - show it to them, talk about it. And if you see a spark of interest, well then pursue that interest. But the simple fact is this, not everybody is cut out to be a collector. Many simply have no interest in it. So when they get gifts like you're talking about, or commems, Proof Sets, or whatever - those coins simply sit on a shelf or in drawer someplace and gather dust. It's only the oddball child here and there that has the collector bug born into them. So if ya try and find out which ones have that bug and which ones don't - first - well then your efforts will be more greatly appreciated by those that have it. And you can concentrate your efforts there Food for thought.
I'm fond of the birth year set concept. I've got mine and have given others a few coins struck during their birth year. Proof or Mint sets from each one's birth year is another way to go.
FYI, The US MINT does sell "Birth Sets" which I think are all Proof coins for that year. So you get a Half, Quarter, Dime, Nickel and Cent in a US MINT presentation package. Usually for a hefty price around $20. I think they started that around 2012 though. Over time you can find them on eBay for a bit cheaper.
@Pop70 this is the way to go. You can't turn them into coin collectors, but you can leave them a coin related memento of their grandpa. Until one day they show up here saying, "I got these coins from my grandpa. Are they valuable? Do any of them look like errors? Should I get them graded before I sell them?" Should be the Mint's slogan.
I got a 2002 (my birth year) Proof Set my dad bought me at a coin show. Not that I really tried, but even if I wanted to, I wouldn't have the heart to sell it. Maybe the kids will have the same mindset. Great way to remember the old folks.
@Pop70, I think it is a fine goal. Low cost, but the fact that you personally pulled them together for them will be the lasting value of the sets for them. Doug makes a good point most people simply do not have the bug, but I think the personal aspect of this will be the real prize here. I wish my grandfather would have done something similar for me whether I enjoyed coins or not. Good luck though with 2009 issues. I hear its nearly impossible to find a 2009 dated dime in circulation.
Thank you so very much so far; Have gotten 2 of them guys to sit down with me and go through coin after coin putting things aside and replacing better finds for lesser eye appeal. The one was awarded an annual membership to coneca due to his interest by the club; the other is looking for rarities and errors per the dollar value. The first has the biggest smile on his face when he finds something to add to "his collection", loves to explain to others the how and why of the hobby, the other pursues his searches hoping to find that big dollar item. As to the plating issues, thank you, takes the worry out of the back of my mind.
Remind the kids that telling too many people about their collections can result in robbery or theft. That "so-called" friend could be a thief or they might tell someone who is a thief. It happens all of the time. Chris
I inherited 2 collections from a Grandfather who I never met, and a Great Uncle. One of the collections came in 3 WWI & WWII vintage Japanese puzzle boxes that I played with at a very young age, i'm 63 now and I've had these for many years and 2 years ago I started to seriously study numismatics. I was told not to collect for anyone but to be sure to document your collection and the values for your relatives in the event of your demise. I didn't have a clue about what to do with the collections even though I got my first Morgan at 8 years old and kept collecting. If I hadn't became disabled I doubt that I would have ever taken this hobby seriously and would've sold the collections for nowhere near their value. I did buy my 2 great nieces birthday sets and they're welcome to any of my collection at the sole discretion of my wife. I have many nieces and nephews and not even 1 is interested in the hobby.
I talked about the source of my coin collections earlier. I wasn't really interested until my father was killed in an automobile collision. He was my age when he was killed. My mother did not know that much about my father's collection, until she read my father's will. His coin collection was left to me and my brother. She was not interested in his hobby, but would not distribute his coin collection and many other things he had until she died about 10 years later. My sister had been very good at caring for her and when she passed, she told me to divide it equitably. I had no idea of the value and importance until it was thrust into my hands. My brother was even worse. He was only interested in building model cars, so he asked me to divvy it up. It was then that I had a great appreciation for my father and his hobby. He was in the Navy serving in a submarine in the South Pacific as "doc" (corpsman?). Since then, I have surfed the 'net and found out a lot of what my father's hobby meant to him. I have a coin that I still can't figure out what it is. I'll get to it later. I like many other grandfathers, I have 11 grandchildren, not interested. (By the way, I'm looking for cheap Indian head cents.. 1971, 1972 and 1977) Thank you young people (youth is under 70 now). Keep "our" hobby goind.
Go for the proof sets for the birth years. They’ll always know they came from you. Besides, coin collectors have been triggered by much less.
Thank you for a great story, I'd love to see the coin you can't figure out, I have many pieces as well. I have thousands of coins and never sold 1.
What you suggest is pretty much how we all started. Lincolns in Whitman folders. And, there are quite a few easily filled slots. But, this also applies to Jeff nickles too. Nickles have not changed since 1938. Their composition is the same. There are no outrageous rarities. You can find most dates in circulation. I even found a 50D Eventually, you might have to put out a few bucks for a war nickle set. Another idea is mint/proof sets in their birth year. And ASE's in those years. They have likely never seen an ASE or Kennedy half. Although these may not inspire them to collect, it is something in us that it appeals to.
To member Chuck_A - I feel just like you. I've been collecting for about 60yrs now and have amassed quite a collection. Only this year I have begun simplifying my collection hoping to pass it on to the Gkids and none of them are interested in building on it. Each have boldly said that if they had my collection, they would sell it in a heartbeat or just spend it. It breaks my heart So I began selling it off.
I'll probably end up with my Dad's collection someday. I'll merge his with mine and return some of it into the marketplace where it will find a home in others collections.
