is it silver proof set?, proof set?, mint set?, modern commems?, or american eagle series?. i think the american silver proof dollar looks good. because of that attractive box. but american silver uncirculated version might be the most popular. because it is cheap and affordable. people will like it. as for older coins. it is maybe given only by own immediate family members. like sons and daughters. by the way, merry x'mas and a happy new year to all coin collectors. p.x. tell us what you give to other on this x'mas session.
In the $40-$60 range, I'd give a nice graded Morgan Dollar. Not a rare date but perhaps a 1886 or 1885-O. Maybe graded MS-64. bone
I have 13 nieces and nephews. My wife and I have no children (unless you count cats). Typically for the past 5 years I've given each of them a proof american silver eagle (with the exception of 2004, I gave them each a proof Lewis & Clark S$) You just can't find a nicer gift for a child for $35 in my opinion. On the other hand they generally are ambivalent to them, but some day they will appreciate it
The modern commems make nice "giftware" for people who are not hard-core collectors. Some of the foreign one ounce silver coins are also great gifts, and have the added benefit of looking and sounding more exotic. It sounds impressive if you can say, "That one came from Australia!"
I myself am only a teenager but i enjoy getting older coins because of the historical value, for example you can give an older coin and say in this year so and so did this and that etc... and the kids learn stuff. I think most kids would thing it was kinda cool to get some thing from the 1800's also, becuase it seems like so long ago so i agree with bonedigger's morgans.
Every year I order 15 sets of Uncirculated and 15 proof sets from the Mint and 15 Red Books from a dealer that gets them for about 2/3 the price of what is on line. That means I give 15 people 3 items dealing with coins each year. I've been doing this for well over 15 years now. Can't even remember when I started that.
x'mas gift these few years, my relatives always ask me if i wanted anything for x'mas. they ask me to buy it for myself. o.k. because they knew i never liked what they gave me before. so i sugggested silver proof set and proof set. they agreed it. thank God. i got what i liked.
Just in case you're not sick of hearing this story, lol... This year I put together coin sets for the years my brother, father, and grandfather were born (1986, 1951, and 1924, respectively). Even non-collectors would probably enjoy such a thing, as it becomes a part of personal history. They're as fun to give as to get too, lol... I especially enjoyed personally putting the 1924 set together.
IMHO, that is a wonderful suggestion and gift for Christmas. Also, a nice MS 60+ Walking Liberty Half is a good idea.
I would suggest as nice of a two cent piece as you can find. Odd denomination, and relatively large coin. FWIW, a two cent piece was what stated me collecting coins, so I may be a bit biased. Have fun...Mike
For my young son..he has under the tree..his birth year set of Gold Ducat's (2002) Netherlands Mint, 1991 1oz AGE, his 3rd 1/4 oz 1988 AGE, and the Modern Commem Gymnastics Olympic Dollar Uncirc. What a luck kid...he is only 12 coins away from completing the AGE Uncirc Gold Set from 1986 thru 2005 in all denominations and he is only 3.4 yrs old.. RickieB :thumb:
My avatar coin was a gift to my wife last Christmas - an 1885 MS65DMPL which both pleased her, and dragged me back into coin collecting with its' beauty. As a result, it's officially the most expensive Christmas gift I've ever given. And it's still giving.
In past years I have given kids and grandkids silver proof sets. Also, just to be different, a UK specimen set. Probably will do much the same this year.
