I had a day off for a change, and decided it was about time to bring my 4 year old daughter to my favorite local coin dealer. I just wanted to see her reaction and if she showed much interest. I had her pick out ten foreign coins and try to decide which ones she liked most. She did it. But quite honestly, and sort of to my dismay, she took more interest in the postage stamps on display. Does anyone have a similar story? I'm hoping she is just a bit young, and more attracted to colors. She did mention she wanted a pink coin. Thanks in advance for any insight you may have.
Keep her away from them! (Almost) Nobody here knows about them As far as a story of the sort, Saturday March 3, I took my 14 year old cousin to a coin show. He probably didn't want to come very much, but he did not have anything better to do. He came prepared to learn about coins. I took him to a bundle of dealers who helped me educate him about why some coins are worth more than others and the such. He to this day is astonished I spent $23 on a penny.
My son is ten now and I know from when he was that age that they have a very short attention span. They'll be into one thing and five minutes later it's on to something else. His first experience in coin collecting began when he was about 4 1/2. I got him a state quarter map and he went through my change looking to fill the holes. At first he asked almost every day if I had any quarters and then as time went on he kind of dropped it for longer time periods. I just saved the change because when he remembered or saw his map and was reminded of it, he would ask me for my change to look through. He eventually filled his map and then when the ATB quarters started he asked for a map for them and is currently working on it. At that age just try and encourage and help them at whatever they decide to do. Don't ever show dissapointment in them for what they decide. Remember they are an individual with their own likes and dislikes.
Try either a Palau coin, or a large silver one they can touch. I find kids like big, colorful coins, and like to touch. Showing them dark, small coins in plastic is a sure way to turn them off. My nephew was bored with coins, but he like ASE's he could handle. Palau coins are the colorized ones, I haven't given them away but I would imagine the colorized coins would be more popular with kids.
My granddaughter, who by the way is also 4, shows an interest in collecting coins. Or, she shows an interest being with me while I collect them. Shes been doing this for the past year or so. Either way, she behaves well (during these times), knows how to handle them, put them in a 2x2, etc, although it is funny watching her use a loupe. I hope her interests continue, but either way, it's fun while it lasts.
Thanks for the advice. I actually forgot to mention that we do have a state quarter map, and she enjoys the heck out of looking at it. My original intentions were for her to learn the states as well as presidents with other coins. It actually worked pretty well. Maybe an ATB map would be a wise and logical next move.
I'm going to check the bay for some colorized coins from Palau, or who knows what else may come up. If she doesn't spike her interest, we'll at least have some interesting pieces to put on display.
My almost 5 year old son has gotten the bug to collect "like his daddy". He's so excited about it that when my FIL came yesterday for a short visit, my son pulled him to his room to show his grandpa his small collection (which pretty much consists of random wheats and nickels placed randomly within a couple whitman folders). He seems to be very interested and I hope he continues his interest as he gets older.
Well good luck to you and your son in your collecting adventures. I think I'm going to try the Whitman folder thing for pennies. Just the motion of filling the holes may be exciting. Heck, it worked for me!!!
My son is 9 now almost 10. He liked to roll search and go to coin shows with me between the ages of 4 to about 7 or so and then lost interest. Karate, baseball, basketball, legos, video games, etc., etc. took over. I still coach/play sports with him and even play some video games with him. I think it is the time spent together that is the attraction. Don't get me wrong...he knows he will be getting the collection someday as a gift and is on board with that but just does not want to collect. I respect that. For those of you with younger kids, go ahead and introduce them to coins but remember to enjoy the time spent together. I did and really enjoyed it. :smile. TC
Its good to start kids off on collecting when they're young. They may not collect the same things you do but exposing her to coins will leave her with something to think about in the future. When she gets older she may either keep a small collection or get into the hobby completely. And there is nothing wrong with postage stamps. Stamps are also very historical and in some way very similar to coins. They are issued in almost all countries and even have errors too. Some are very valuable.
BUY THE CHILD A PINK TONED SATIN TYPE PROOF LINCOLN!!!!!:hail::hail::hail::thumb::thumb::thumb: Or you could get her one of the many Lincoln on the log cents that are turning Lincoln pink and purple. Take the coin and put it in an airtite so they think they are touching it but do not look back in disgust that they destroyed it. This is coming from a kid, but I never really wanted a pink coin...
Thanks for all the great comments, suggestions, and advice. I am in no way going to force her into coin collecting, but I will definitely give her the opportunity. As for stamps, I will support her in whatever she picks as a hobby. I just don't think I'll be able to give her the advice I could with numismatics.
maybe this doesn't count so much as a numismatic , but how about ordering her the Canadian Tooth Fairy coin? It may not be pink, but i just bet she'd love it! Fairies...second best to pink! Let her put it into a flip, and look at it through her loupe, etc.. As a little girl, I was quite content looking through a magnifying glass at coins, simply because it was what my grampa was doing. I had no idea what I was really looking for, s's and such.. and it seemed to satisfy us both. Oh, another thought...coins with animals! You could use those to help, too! She might be intrigued by that! Lucy
