Coin show exhibit ideas

I'm thinking about doing a coin exhibit in the YN category for the winter FUN show. Might get some recgonigtion in numismatics and maybe even a prize. You guys have any ideas for a good exhibit subject? Keep in mind I'm not made of money as I'm just a kid, so coins under $100 is a good idea, unless I'm able to get some more exspensive ones as a loan. (I am doing coins, not paper money or exonumia)


BTW, getting ideas isn't cheating is it?

 

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You wouldnt have to really display coins in your exhibit would you? Although some things are pretty common knowledge you could set up a display showing the minting process or just information and pictures about the different United States Mints, whether they may already know about these things or not it would still make for an interesting display. You could also place a coin from each mint with the descriptions. You could set up a display showing pictures and information pertaining to different coin designers and display the coins they designed with each one. Your exhibit certainly doesnt have to be elaborate, just interesting and original, just by adding your own personal touches. Good luck and I hope this helps somewhat.

 

How about tracing symbolic elements of our coinage as far back as you can, and making a display that visually relates these connections? Answer things like:
Why's Liberty always a chick?
What's with the bundle o' sticks on the back of dimes?
What's a "liberty cap" got to do with liberty?

You could get risky and take on questions like:
How did contemporary Americans justify putting indians all over coin designs while consistently destroying the tribes in America's path?

But you better do your homework, and the arguments will wander..

Just use posters or print outs of coins to make your case. Investments not required.

 

That was the Roman symbol for peace.
I've always wondered that, what with the stupid hat?

Good idea, I'm not much into symbolism, but I do like the idea about explaining designs. maybe I'll do it on the sujects for the indian and buffalo on the buffalo nickel.

And as far as coins go, I rather use coins instead of printouts.

 

Then it's just like homework!!!

Doing the mints is a good idea, but I was hoping to do something a little more advanced.

 

One thing that might help you is knowing what they are going to judge you on....if it is how the coins are shown, then I can't suggest photos or no coins at all.....

I would suggest doing something about errors. Errors seem to be HOT right now and you might get some extra points from it. You could take one type of coin---lets say Cents, and show as many different errors as you could. Along with the error you could put a place card with a write up on how that type of error happens, and appx. value. Some errors aren't that pricey and you would be able to pick up many different types for under $100! You might also be able to get a few friends to let you borrow some of their errors for showing.

If this is an idea you think you might like let me know as I might be able to point you in the direction of some error guys that would be glad to help.

Speedy

 

Here is the listing of what they look for and judge the exhibit on...

Speedy

TITLE and SCOPE - 5 points
The title should be obvious. If necessary, there should be an explanation of what the exhibitor intends to show.

BASIC NUMISMATIC INFORMATION - 15 points
The numismatic specifications of the exhibited items should be described to the extent needed by the exhibit's scope to answer the questions of another numismatist. Examples: mint and mintage, composition, dimensions, designer, engraver, variety identification.

SPECIAL NUMISMATIC INFORMATION - 15 points
Enough additional information should be given to answer the questions of a general viewer. Examples: historic, biographic, geographic, economic, and artistic information.

CREATIVITY and ORIGINALITY - 10 points
The exhibit should be novel and imaginative.

ATTRACTIVENESS - 10 points
The exhibit should be neat, well-designed, and eye-catching. The color scheme should be pleasing and effective. The title and text should be easy to read and not faded or dingy from repeated display.

BALANCE - 10 points
The numismatic items, the information, and related materials in the exhibit should be balanced and related to the exhibit's scope.

COMPLETENESS - 5 points
The exhibit should present all of the numismatic material necessary to support the title and the statement of scope. Allowances should be made for lack of material that is not generally available to collectors or for which there is insufficient exhibit space.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY - 10 points
The exhibit should show dedication to collection, in that the numismatic material or the related information was difficult to assemble or to present. Examples: multiple rare pieces, new research, a collection that took years to assemble.

CONDITION - 10 points
The numismatic material should be the best that is reasonably available to the exhibitor, who may make a statement about availability for the benefit of viewers or judges.

RARITY - 10 points
Rarity is judged by the number of like pieces believed to exist, not by the value of individual pieces.

 

Does the competition explictly say that you MUST have coins for display? You can have images of it and perhaps print it out if costs of some coins go quite high although it might be quite lame.

Who knows, maybe as a youth, it might be interesting to bring up points of modern world coins, i.e comparison of US minted coins with the rest of the world. World coins can be bought pretty cheap.

 

No it doesn't say you can't....but I bet you would get more points if there wern't any photos....

Speedy

 

I chuckle every time someone mentions a bundle of sticks...

 

I suppose it depends upon whether the judges prefer to reward innovation and effort, or mere possession. Winning because you own the right coins doesn't seem within the spirit of YN. Good pertinent enlargements of the subject matter should be more important than the actual coins.

If you go the error route, you might still consider taking good pictures of them and having someplace like mpix.com make nice prints for your station.

 

not exactly:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasces

 

You too? I thought I was the only one who knew the name of a bundle of sticks, lol.

 

So it's errors and Buffolo nickels models. I'll see if some more people have some good ideas and if I can think of some. I'm not even sure if I can enter yet becuase you might have to go to the show for several days and I live 2 hours away.

 

LMAO!
By the way, where is this show going to be?

 

It's in Orlando Florida, and is quite possibly the largest coin show of the whole year.

 

I thought of another one, comparing different reflectivites of morgans. Normal, semi-pl, pl, dmpl, and udpl. I'de have to have a pic for the udpl, and I'd have to buy the semi-pl, pl ,and dmpl.

 

No, it is not cheating.
And good luck.

 

Thalia (with some help from her dad) put together a modest exhibit of coins with Queen Elizabeth on them with some images to help illustrate her life.

There are any number of inexpensive coins with QEII on them and there have been several different designs of her portrait as well.

It wasn't a "prize winner" (and we weren't really trying for that) but a way to share something in numismatics that she's enthusiastic about. We took the same general exhibit to her elementary school where it was on display for a few weeks along with some books on her life. We think we made more children aware of the hobby.

 

Whatever you decide to do, use the KISS principle (keep it simple). That means don´t put too many coins out, and keep the written part short with plenty of visual and large text faunt size. You´re a YN no one expects you to have big $$ coins, I wouldn´t let that intimidate you. Good luck, make sure we all get to see what you did.