Whats a good age to give a kid a coin collection?

....a good chance if a kid is a saver instead of a spender ..a better chance if they like history and social studies. History is based upon dates which coins are a reflection of the time. Like 1964 Kennedy Halfs, 1943 steel penny, 1866 shield nickels... like why these were made ?

I always liked history so it was easy to understand coin collecting. I think they go hand in hand. At my coin club auction and at coin shows... it consistent dates being thrown out. So if a kid gets overwhelmed with dates ..its easy to understand because they are young and don't have years under their belt
so if a kid doesn't frustrated easy, likes using cash instead of plastic, is a saver instead of a spender and good in history class ... might have a good chance

now my son likes sports and competition - so he is interested in being better than the rest so he has a NGC nickel collection in the registry and likes to see what highest level he can get too

 

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Neither of my kids are interested in the collection (other than what it's worth when I'm gone). My granddaughter is moderately interested, but I'm not sure if it's really the coins, or just being with "Pappap". I have set aside mint and proof sets for each from the years they were born.

I am, however, going to try another experiment. A friend of mine has an 11 year old son with Asberger's Disease (mild autism). He's not a bad kid, but can be a handful for her as a single mother with two other children. She mentioned before Christmas that he likes to go through tokens and coins, hunts for change on floors all the time. I went through some stuff and put together a bag of extra tokens and foreign coins for him. She reported that he absolutely enjoyed himself going through that stuff. Seems the more he focuses on something, the more well-behaved he becomes. So... my next course of action is to get him a Whitman folder for Memorial Cents and some rolls from the bank. He can look through the rolls, fill the holes, and return what he didn't need for more rolls. I also invited her to bring him to my house and take a look at what I have.

Win-Win situation for me by the way. The woman works for me, and is one of the best bakers in the state. Always have something good to go with my coffee in the morning two or three times a week!

 

I like the idea of doing sets with them maybe like Lincoln's or Jeffersons. Maybe when they get older I will also start some circ sets with them. The Whitman set I started has a lot of coins I pulled from circ like the silver Washington, the merc dime, the Indian head cent, the buffalo nickel. That's kind of how it started me pulling coins I found in circulation that I thought would be fun to pass on to my kids.

 

My sister is 6 and I have her collecting - nothing prime, though. Start them out young and nourish their interest with little things, and progress as they get older.

 

Before they get hooked on video games. TC

 

If it is your collection, I think it becomes their collection at birth. After we die everything goes to our children (although I don't have children yet, but one day) assuming there is not a will that says otherwise. So, does it become theirs at birth or when you are gone? Think Schrödinger's cat. Basically, you gave it to your children at birth depending on how you look at it. All kidding aside, I think there is no exact answer. If your intent is for them to be really into coins for their numismatic value, age will not necessarily matter. They may never get into collecting. Then again, they may. As others have said, this may occur at any age. I think there are two reasons they may value and keep a collection.

A: They would value it for sentimental reasons.

B: They would value it for numismatic reasons.

I think A may occur without B, but B would be unlikely to occur without A. I know I am young and do not have children, but I am at an age that I have realized the sentimental value of items I was given as a child. Honestly, I think looking at and letting your child know it is yours and his/her collection is the best. Even if they do not get into or stay into coins, they will feel it has real sentimental value. This may be easier said than done depending on their interest in coins, but I think it would have the most impact on whether or not it is something they would sell or get rid of when they get older. As far as giving it to them to take care of, I think it just depends on their maturity level and whether or not they are at a point they can be responsible enough to. Only you can be the judge of that. Age is not always a good indicator.

 

Johntomk as far as my collection goes when I pass I think they can do with it whatever they want, if they need to pay funeral expenses or just need the cash I am ok with it being sold. You can't take it with you and if it alleviates some of the burden when you pass then it went to a good cause.

I just want to be able to pass on my knowledge and my love, when they are young they might not understand it and use it for face value that to me is the shame. If the kid is in college and needs text books and decides to sell it, its theirs and if that is what they want to do with it I'd understand. You just want them to be at an age where they understand what they have before selling it or spending it.

 

I don't think there is a certain age. When I was little from about 6-7 I loved just searching Grandma's pennies for wheat cents. Then when I was 12 and 13 I always gave the wheat cents to my father who started collecting proof sets from the mint. I always followed them and like seeing them. Then when I graduated from college and finally had some of my own money I started collecting from the mint. Then 10-12 years ago my interests really changed - now I collect older stuff and sold all my moderns. At the same time I finally completed the wheat cents that my father, brother and I started 40 years ago. So don't rush just keep the interest alive as you can - enjoy.

 

The best age to give a collection to a kid is 52.

My 52th Birthday is just around the corner.

Thanks for thinking of me! I look forward to my new Coin Collection.

Ribbit

Ps: There is no age, it is but a number. Let the kid decide when they are ready.

 

agreed.

 

I understand completely. I was just assuming it was something you wanted to stay in the family. My grandfather collected coins, and my dad did as a kid but not as an adult. I had no clue about collecting coins as a child. I didnt start collecting until pretty recently. I think that as long as they are at a point they can understand that some coins may be worth more than face value they will be less likely to sell them on a whim and get shafted.

 

I have a very worn almost slick 1818 large cent you can have for your birthday

 

Good year!

Ribbit