This is a fantastic idea! I'm not really a "World" coin collector but I have a suggestion... You can find ancient Greek coins that feature Homer on the reverse. No they're not very large but several examples are currently for sale on Vcoins, one on FORVM Ancient Coins...likely more out there. I just checked those two websites really quick. They're from the second century BC so perhaps in order to keep it in the time period an artifact would be best. Very cool Vonnegut is on the list! My favorite author.
Great advice on the Homer coin. I'll look into it for sure! As for Vonnegut, he's one of my favorites as well. I'm fortunate to have lots of freedom in what I teach my AP seniors, so he always makes the list.
That's looking great. Your students might only have a fraction of the enthusiasm you have, but tangible historical artifacts in the classroom are way more interesting than posters and illustrations and such. I expect they'll be more compelled to see these things than they would have been otherwise. Hope you will keep the coins secure, obviously.
Are you suggesting that teenagers have a proclivity toward poor decision making and might inadvertently find themselves in possession of things which are not lawfully theirs??? Oh, they’ll be secured alright.
George Orwell's "1984": I'm sorry that I don't have more modern farthing. By the way, they stopped minting the lovely farthing in 1956. You can get some circulated farthings for mere pennies $US.) Then, there's always Charles Dicken's "Christmas Carol"
Well here in Kentucky we are a bit more strapped for cash. I'm not complaining though. I am coming off a pretty righteous 80 day weekend.
You are among the realm of the 'true teacher'. The ones I respect. So few of those here on the 'island'. Money grubbing sods that put children's needs on the back burner with regard to their own selfish, greedy, monetary needs........
That’s a lovely farthing you have pictured. The dystopian works (1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale) cause problems because they lack a definitive era. While 1984 is set in 1984 Airstip One —-formerly London—-, it’s not reeeeeeally 1984. The Handmaids Tale would technically be set in the early 1990s Boston area, but again, not really. I do have a fresh addition to the collection to share later today...
Couple things to update on. Thing #1: I shared the Anglo Saxon brooch with my junior English classes today in advance of our study of Beowulf and the Anglo Saxon era. They were pretty dumbfounded. It was awesome. Thing #2: Here's my newest addition. It is an Italy/Venice Grosso from 1312-1328. A time during which Dante was the guest of Giovanni Soranzo who is the Doge pictured on the coin next to St. Mark. Jesus is on the obverse...I assume that's the obverse...he's Jesus after all.
Just added an Edward III Groat (1350-1360) to the classroom collection for our upcoming study of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. I feel like I got a pretty good deal on it as it is in decent shape. These are seller's photos.
UPDATE: I constructed a display case on top of an old drafting table I had rescued from the dumpster at school during a recent remodel of the mechanical drawing /CAD lab for display of the entire Coins in the Classroom collection. It turned out pretty well, and the kids made a beeline to the back of the classroom when they walked in today. Still have some holes to fill but I'm very happy that these coins will be on permanent display rather than just being brought out from time to time.