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Message:: [QUOTE="CoinGal07, post: 388029, member: 8843"]Go in with your parents and get to know the dealer. I know two dealers who do allow YN's to volunteer if the parents can validate they've had an interest in coins for a reasonable time so that it doesn't look like they suddenly just want to play with the coins.  However, before you envision being handed the keys to the vault or handling mountains of gold coins, be prepared if they 'do' - they'll probably start you at a table sorting pennies.  They call it the penny test to see how interested volunteers truly are with coins and learning.  If you can sit and sort pennies by year and mint mark all day ~ w/o pocketing the few semi key dates they toss in there just to test you ~ they let you come back the next day and sort some more.  If you make it a week on the pennies, they let you start sorting nickels... and so on. While it may sound like a game - it's done that way for a reason.  One, it takes patience. Two, it gives you an opportunity to pass thousands and thousands of pennies through your hands and suddenly you start understanding the difference in a VG to an XF or MS. And three, because it's pennies, it limits the risk the dealer takes while establishing the ability to trust you.  And don't think it's because your 16. They do it with every person who asks to volunteer regardless of age. And many have failed by slipping the semi key dates into their pockets rather than into a 2x2 and labeled. You'll likely be in the front of the shop or within earshot so you'll have an opportunity to learn a lot.  However, don't expect the dealer to spend all day as your private coin tutor.   Good luck![/QUOTE]

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