Coin collecting is a fun hobby and can also be an educational experience. Whether one collects US coins, world coins or paper money, the collection of these items can help reinforce math skills like counting and comparisons of amount. In addition, it can also be a fun way to introduce kids to history and geography by looking at the different countries or themes represented on their currency.
For a scout who is new to coin collecting, a great place to start is by gathering a date set of Lincoln pennies. These can easily be purchased for a reasonable price at a local coin shop or online. This type of collection will allow the scout to learn the basics of coin collecting and to get familiar with coin terms like mint mark, grading and preservation.
As a scout gets more comfortable with his or her collection, it may be time to explore other areas of the hobby. Some scouts will find that they enjoy the challenge of building a circulating type set of United States coins. This can be a difficult task but the reward of being able to look at a coin that is a part of a series can be very satisfying.
Another popular method of collecting is by using flips. These are 2×2 plastic holders that have a pocket for a coin and a pocket for a paper insert with more information about the coin. These are available in a variety of sizes to hold circulating coins or even larger collector’s pieces.