What do you think about Canadian Tokens? I like to find them because they don't cost much, are big and are really interesting. Here's one from New Brunswick from 1843: and These are from PEI.
I think a young collector would do well with these, since you can find them and put together a collection. They are earlier than Civil War tokens, and you can put together a whole page of them for less than $100!
Very nice tokens!! Sold or gave away most of mine several years ago to pursue other hobby interests. Still have a few 'sentimental' ones however.