A few months back, we got a flyer from a family up the street advertising a house-watching service. Their two children (a pre-school girl and a kindergarten- or elementary-school boy) will come around daily to collect mail, papers, and packages, and even roll your trash out to the curb and back, for a dollar or two a day. Mom is the "office manager". We engaged their services last month for a weekend trip. The total came to $3, but I found that I didn't have any ones. I did have a stack of SBAs on my desk, and we always have quarters. So, when Mom and boy came to collect, I offered him twelve quarters or the three SBAs. He was very polite and said either would be fine, but when I insisted it was his choice, he shyly asked for the SBAs. We hired them again this past weekend. I asked Mom whether the boy was interested in more "unusual money", and she said yes, he was already saving the three SBAs. So... what should it be this time? I'm thinking an Ike, and maybe a nice standard Kennedy and one bicentennial Kennedy. And maybe a regular single, because I want him to feel free to spend some of the money. Or I could do an Ike and a $2 bill, I guess. Or maybe smaller change, I have an awful lot of low-grade Buffs and even V-nickels. I'd even consider throwing in some silver. But I don't want to overwhelm him, and I'm thinking a slow drip is probably better than a dump of novelties. Thoughts?
Ike's would be a big winner.... And don't discount the golden dollars either. I love what you are doing and I don't think you can overwhelm a young mind!
The more variety the better . . . hook'em with the lower grade and unusual first. Dateless buffs, scratched, even cleaned . . . they're still rewarding to the youngsters, and those coins will provide a good basis for better distinguishing between ordinary and nicer coins as time passes. I also think the slow drip is a healthier approach for them, as they will likely end up feeling less entitled.
I’d go with an Ike and Kennedy’s. I think he’d also like a few Buffalo Nickels and Wheat Ear and Memorial Cents. He’s so young he only knows shield cents. Maybe throw in a Whitman’s so he can plug holes.
I'd go with Ikes. He may have already seen a JFK before but perhaps not an Ike. Throw in an inexpensive world coin as bonus.
You could offer him a variety and let him pick 3 or 4. Maybe talk about each and have a teaching moment. Find out where his interest lies then feed the interest(s). Just my opinion!!
The boys (probably 5 & 7)next door to us set up a lemonade stand last year, and we plied them with Kennedys and we watched them go up and ask their mom if they were "real" money and she let them know that yes, they were and that you don't see them around too much, and they were just enamored with them. I'd probably stick with those and the Ikes, but maybe after a while, offer to 'trade' one of their payment coins (one of the Ikes or such) for somewhat equivalent change (buffs, V nicks, wheaties, etc.) with the explanation on how some of the older coins really aren't "spent" but are collected, etc. See what their reaction is. Kind of let the fever develop on it's own.
On the money (no pun intended), the best option, imo. You won’t overwhelm them, you’ll feed the interest yet still get them some spending money for hot wheels cars or transformers…Spark
Jeff, I'm quasi envious of your situation. I love patronizing kids enterprising businesses. I love teaching moments. I love tendering more than they expect. My envious position stems from living in a more rural suburban area where I have zero neighbors. Don't live in a neighborhood. So those 'loving' moments are far and few between. Make no mistake about it. I really love living in a rural area. Hence my 'quasi envious' statement. Your approach to payment for the kids services rendered is awesome. Keep up the pay it forward mentality. You're making lifelong impressions on the kids. They'll benefit, and remember you forever.
Very small and very young children. The larger the coin the easier and safer to handle and admire and identify. No dimes or cents. As to the Mr. Corgi idea, I did not know there was a 3 Dollar Bill. (you left me an opening-I previously mentioned don't leave me an opening. So.....next time remember.)
Good point -- but the boy, at least, gives me the impression of being mature enough to deal with cents and dimes. I'll continue back-channel communication with Mom to get feedback.
