Coin collecting or numismatics, is generally largely dominated by older men. Getting women and younger collectors interested in the hobby is essential to keep it alive and vibrant. Here are some ideas you might like to use to get kids interested in the hobby.
- Firstly you need to teach your children to identify the different types of coins in your change. Give them some change to look through and point out the different coins, colors, sizes and shapes. You will want to show them where the dates can be found on the coins.
- Let them look through your change and get them to find coins from the year of their birth.
- Let them look through your change and get them to construct year sets from circulation.
- Take a look at your country's mint (where they make the coins) and see if they have any products specifically suited to young numismatists. For example the Royal Australian Mint has a product specifically designed for young or beginning coin collectors. The US Mint has an entire section of their website devoted to kids.
- Look at purchasing them a coin album such as a Whitman album with a hole for each coins of the specific coin series they are collecting from circulation. You can challenge them to fill the holes and they'll have a goal to work toward.
- Take them to a coin show, often children who show an interest in coins will be given a small free gift from the friendly dealers in the hope that they will gain a future customer.
Above all remember to show enthusiasm for their new hobby. Children thrive on praise and people showing an interest in what they are doing. If you continue to help them with their interest they'll gain a rewarding an interesting hobby that could last a lifetime.
Posted by mnemtsas at November 1, 2008 2:23 PM
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