Recently when I was cleaning my kids bookshelves, I was overwhelmed with all their 'collections'. With two kids with varied interests in different and multiple collections, it can really get out of hand:). Both my kids are obsessed with collecting miniature things. They 'collect' (hoard) stamps, coins and paper money from various countries, unique greeting cards and wrappers etc. But they also collect things that do not normally make it to the 'books on collecting', such as smooth pebbles, rocks of varied kinds, marbles, glass bits, odd shaped paper bits, candy wrappers, leaves of various colors and shapes, miniature 3d paper crafts (made by my dd), miniature Origami pieces, miniature books(oh the obsession my dd shows about collecting these), odd 'orphaned paper bits and pieces (collected by my ds in an 'orphan jar' that sits by his table), unique push pins, small magnets, beads, trinkets that are old and faded, miniature compasses, variety of pens(loads and loads of them), miniature pencils (pencils that have given out their lives, but ds finds it too hard to throw them out so tries to use them as supports for photo frames or as fences in our Golu arrangements), broken shells, etc etc.
Each of these collections are started out as a causal hobby of observation and fascination. And then each developed onto its own learning/collecting obsession. I have learned so much about each one of these collections from my kids. What I see as 'junk' is seen as priceless possessions by them. They 'hide' them from me so I would not throw those things out. What I merely saw as just an object, my kids had so much more to say about each of its role, evolution, usage, connection to the modern world, importance, etc etc. I do not even want to look into their 'treasure boxes' that sit on the book shelves. I find their US coins, stamps and money collections more fascinating even though their 'other' collections are equally wonderful:)
I am listing some resources on Coin collection here. I hope to post separately on Stamp Collections later. Coin collection started out as a pretty casual hobby as well. They collected dimes, quarters, pennies initially. Then they branched off to collecting only quarters from various states and years, and then onto coins from various countries (by asking friends and relatives who visited from other countries for coins. Or they collected them whenever we took trips to other countries). Now we have a sizable collection of paper money and coins of varied countries, and they still continue to collect more.
Though my kids did not start collecting coins after reading about them, it is nice to have an organized idea about coin collecting. Also, it is good to have a focus about collecting coins. My kids collected just about anything that interested them. They then narrowed their collections to specific years, or states or mints. This can be extremely addictive too. Here are a few resources to check out.
Coin Collection or Numismatics as a hobby check out information on History, articles on coin collection, how to collect coins etc
Top 50 States: Coin collecting for kids Great information on state coins program and other resources
Kids Money Store: Coin Collecting check out the cool Teachers Pages on Kids money lesson plans for grades K-12
Coin collecting books free download
Coincat the online coin catalog
Collecting Coins resources global coins information and more
Kids Coin World Excellent site filled with wonderful resources
US Coin collecting Numismatic community that shares resources
A bunch of coin resource links here
United States Mint site Collector's club, coin exchange, coin news, games etc
Coin collection resources from about.com
Directory of Coin Collection Resources Excellent list of resources; books, museums, Numismatic literature, Periodicals etc
Long List of Coin Collection resources Excellent site
Ask About Coins - Ask your coin questions and have them answered by Bill O'Rourke and other experts. Links to articles and previous answers
Q and A's for Coins - Experienced collectors answers to your coin collecting questions (origin and identification)
Coin Gallery Online - Portal for buying, selling, and trading coins. Includes coin collecting books and supplies, rare coin exhibits, and numismatic resources for the collector
Easy Coin Collecting - Coin collecting articles and information on coins and coin values
Metals Used In Coins and Medals - A list of types of metals used in coins with descriptions, atomic weights and melting points
A Dictionary of Coin Terms - Dictionary of coin collecting terms. Done with some humor
French Mint Coin Museum - Portrays the history of money in France from ancient times to the present day. Includes virtual tour, database, and hours. Located in Paris, France
Museos del Banco Central De Costa Rica - Exhibits feature collections of pre-Columbian gold and numismatic items. Includes details, panoramic photos, publications, educational programs, and a store. Located in San Jose Province
National Numismatic Collection - One of the largest numismatic collections in the world and the largest in North America. Located in Washington, DC
The Numismatic Museum of Aruba - Established November 13, 1981 as the first numismatic museum in Aruba. The museum contains over 35,000 pieces from over 400 countries
CoinCollector.org - Coin collecting FAQs, news and a discussion forum. Includes information and photos on US 20th century minted coins
Wooden Nickel Historical Museum - Dedicated to making the general public more aware of the history of wooden nickels and their many different uses. Located in San Antonia, Texas
Alwin C. Carus Coin Collection - Digital images and descriptions of ancient, world, and U.S. coins presented by Hillsdale College
Ask About Coins - Ask your coin questions and have them answered by Bill O'Rourke and other experts. Links to articles and previous answers
Bullion Coin Collectors - Information and statistics for collectors of gold, platinum, and silver bullion coins
The Coin Alley - Coin collecting information, including grading, handling and storage
Coin Collecting FAQ - Frequently asked questions about coin collecting
Coin Collecting for Beginners - This site offers information and tips about coin collecting for beginners of all ages
Coin Collecting Guide For Beginners - Information on getting started in coin collecting as a hobby. Learn about the history of coins, how to grade them, and where to locate mint
Coin Collecting Terms - A glossary of coin collecting terms and meanings
Coin Community Forums - Educational coin collecting forum. Free registration required to post
Coin Galaxy - Coin and currency information, grading and supplies
Coin Gallery Online - Portal for buying, selling, and trading coins. Includes coin collecting books and supplies, rare coin exhibits, and numismatic resources for the collector
Some more list of resources here in addition to above
Coin Collecting Den website with excellent links and resources
Coin Collection resources in a PDF Merit Badge requirement resources
Kids. Gov Money pages, government sites and links
Coin collecting for kids Teach History and math with pennies, nickels, quarters and dollars
Kids Online Resources History of coins and bank notes
The Coin Page list of coin collection resources
Coins and Other Currency: A Kid's Guide to Coin Collecting by Tamra Orr
Coin Collecting for Kids: With Slots to Collect 50 Statehood Quarters and Other Coins by Steve
The New York Times Guide to Coin Collecting: Do's, Don'ts, Facts, Myths, and a Wealth of History by Ed Reiter and Scott Travers
Coin Collecting For Dummies by Neil S. Berman and Ron Guth
Everything There Is To Know About Coin Collecting by Dannie Elwins
Those Amazing Coins: A kids guide to coin collecting by R. Volpe and K. Flynn
The Complete Book of United States Coin Collecting by Norman M. Davis
The Instant Coin Collector by Arlyn G. Sieber
The Kid's Guide to Collecting Statehood Quarters and Other Cool Coins! by Kevin Flynn
The World Encyclopedia of Coins and Coin Collecting: The definitive illustrated reference to the world's greatest coins and a professional guide to building ... featuring over 3000 colour images by James Mackay
The Whitman Coin Guide to Coin Collecting
Those Amazing Coins: A kids guide to coin collecting by R. Volpe and K. Flynn
The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins 2009 by R. S. Yeoman
The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards of United States Coins (Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins) by Kenneth Bressett
Each of these collections are started out as a causal hobby of observation and fascination. And then each developed onto its own learning/collecting obsession. I have learned so much about each one of these collections from my kids. What I see as 'junk' is seen as priceless possessions by them. They 'hide' them from me so I would not throw those things out. What I merely saw as just an object, my kids had so much more to say about each of its role, evolution, usage, connection to the modern world, importance, etc etc. I do not even want to look into their 'treasure boxes' that sit on the book shelves. I find their US coins, stamps and money collections more fascinating even though their 'other' collections are equally wonderful:)
I am listing some resources on Coin collection here. I hope to post separately on Stamp Collections later. Coin collection started out as a pretty casual hobby as well. They collected dimes, quarters, pennies initially. Then they branched off to collecting only quarters from various states and years, and then onto coins from various countries (by asking friends and relatives who visited from other countries for coins. Or they collected them whenever we took trips to other countries). Now we have a sizable collection of paper money and coins of varied countries, and they still continue to collect more.
- Some cool sites loaded with tons of information and resources on coin collections
Coin Collection or Numismatics as a hobby check out information on History, articles on coin collection, how to collect coins etc
Top 50 States: Coin collecting for kids Great information on state coins program and other resources
Kids Money Store: Coin Collecting check out the cool Teachers Pages on Kids money lesson plans for grades K-12
Coin collecting books free download
Coincat the online coin catalog
Collecting Coins resources global coins information and more
Kids Coin World Excellent site filled with wonderful resources
US Coin collecting Numismatic community that shares resources
A bunch of coin resource links here
United States Mint site Collector's club, coin exchange, coin news, games etc
Coin collection resources from about.com
Directory of Coin Collection Resources Excellent list of resources; books, museums, Numismatic literature, Periodicals etc
Long List of Coin Collection resources Excellent site
- Musuems and more
Money Museum - A virtual money museum
Money Museum - A history of money including maps, images detailed information and tutorials
American Numismatic Association Money Museum - Collects and exhibits coins, paper money, medals and related itemsMoney Museum - A history of money including maps, images detailed information and tutorials
Ask About Coins - Ask your coin questions and have them answered by Bill O'Rourke and other experts. Links to articles and previous answers
Q and A's for Coins - Experienced collectors answers to your coin collecting questions (origin and identification)
Coin Gallery Online - Portal for buying, selling, and trading coins. Includes coin collecting books and supplies, rare coin exhibits, and numismatic resources for the collector
Easy Coin Collecting - Coin collecting articles and information on coins and coin values
Metals Used In Coins and Medals - A list of types of metals used in coins with descriptions, atomic weights and melting points
A Dictionary of Coin Terms - Dictionary of coin collecting terms. Done with some humor
French Mint Coin Museum - Portrays the history of money in France from ancient times to the present day. Includes virtual tour, database, and hours. Located in Paris, France
Museos del Banco Central De Costa Rica - Exhibits feature collections of pre-Columbian gold and numismatic items. Includes details, panoramic photos, publications, educational programs, and a store. Located in San Jose Province
National Numismatic Collection - One of the largest numismatic collections in the world and the largest in North America. Located in Washington, DC
The Numismatic Museum of Aruba - Established November 13, 1981 as the first numismatic museum in Aruba. The museum contains over 35,000 pieces from over 400 countries
CoinCollector.org - Coin collecting FAQs, news and a discussion forum. Includes information and photos on US 20th century minted coins
Wooden Nickel Historical Museum - Dedicated to making the general public more aware of the history of wooden nickels and their many different uses. Located in San Antonia, Texas
Alwin C. Carus Coin Collection - Digital images and descriptions of ancient, world, and U.S. coins presented by Hillsdale College
Ask About Coins - Ask your coin questions and have them answered by Bill O'Rourke and other experts. Links to articles and previous answers
Bullion Coin Collectors - Information and statistics for collectors of gold, platinum, and silver bullion coins
The Coin Alley - Coin collecting information, including grading, handling and storage
Coin Collecting FAQ - Frequently asked questions about coin collecting
Coin Collecting for Beginners - This site offers information and tips about coin collecting for beginners of all ages
Coin Collecting Guide For Beginners - Information on getting started in coin collecting as a hobby. Learn about the history of coins, how to grade them, and where to locate mint
Coin Collecting Terms - A glossary of coin collecting terms and meanings
Coin Community Forums - Educational coin collecting forum. Free registration required to post
Coin Galaxy - Coin and currency information, grading and supplies
Coin Gallery Online - Portal for buying, selling, and trading coins. Includes coin collecting books and supplies, rare coin exhibits, and numismatic resources for the collector
Some more list of resources here in addition to above
Coin Collecting Den website with excellent links and resources
Coin Collection resources in a PDF Merit Badge requirement resources
Kids. Gov Money pages, government sites and links
Coin collecting for kids Teach History and math with pennies, nickels, quarters and dollars
Kids Online Resources History of coins and bank notes
The Coin Page list of coin collection resources
- Books
United States Coinage: A Study By Type by Ron Guth
Coins and Other Currency: A Kid's Guide to Coin Collecting by Tamra Orr
Coin Collecting for Kids: With Slots to Collect 50 Statehood Quarters and Other Coins by Steve
Ultimate Guide to Collecting by Kristen R. Stephens
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Coin Collecting: How to start and build a great collection: the complete companion to world coins from antiquity to the ... cataloguing, buying and selling by Mackay
State Series Quarters Collector Map by Whitman Publishing
Coin Collecting For Dummies by Neil S. Berman and Ron Guth
Those Amazing Coins: A kids guide to coin collecting by R. Volpe and K. Flynn
The Complete Book of United States Coin Collecting by Norman M. Davis
The Instant Coin Collector by Arlyn G. Sieber
The World Encyclopedia of Coins and Coin Collecting: The definitive illustrated reference to the world's greatest coins and a professional guide to building ... featuring over 3000 colour images by James Mackay
The Whitman Coin Guide to Coin Collecting
Those Amazing Coins: A kids guide to coin collecting by R. Volpe and K. Flynn
- Magazines
The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins 2009 by R. S. Yeoman
The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards of United States Coins (Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins) by Kenneth Bressett
- Coin Collection Kits
Presidential Dollars Coin Collecting Kit by Tammi Salzano
Statehood Quarters Collecting Kit by Whitman Coin Book
Coin Collecting kits and options a store resource
Coin Collector's Starter Kits resource and kits
Hobby Learn collectable coins information
Coin Collecting kits and options a store resource
Coin Collector's Starter Kits resource and kits
Hobby Learn collectable coins information
Subadra, what a delightful post! It's so heartening to read that it's not just our house that has weird and wonderful collections (I say this as I fish the current stick collection out of B2's [boy 2] bag!).
ReplyDeleteTwo years ago we had to offload 1.5kg of pebbles in New Zealand before we got on the plane to come back to Australia. Last year it was the collection of shells and stones from Penang. There was much sadness.
Our current collections include keyrings, wooden spinning tops, foreign currency, mighty muggs, statues of Ganesh (B1) and coins, stamps, LEGO, rocks and soft toys (B2).
Your house sounds very much like ours :D
Asha
Hi Asha,
ReplyDeleteIt is always a delight to hear from you. 1.5kgs of pebbles? My gosh, that is pretty expensive for today's travel, especially if you are like us, who never travels light:)
Stick collection, I forgot to mention that one..are they dry, prickly too, with weird looking miniature structures..? My dd used to collect that too...while I tried hard to convince her to keep them all 'safe' in the garden.
My ds is *obsessed* with Ganesh idols, pictures, pendants...we have quite a lot...and yes, we have key chains ...that I collected a while ago. Thanks for the reminder. Time to go check the box in the garage to see if all my 'shell key chains' are still intact:)
Wow, our families will have quite a lot to talk/share about if we ever meet someday; and also quite a bit of exchange on how bad their mommy is (mine would definitely make a comment or two) discouraging all their 'expressive' minds and special collections..
And there is one other thing...I stopped cleaning my children's beds...they have to do it themselves..to I can remain *sane*. It is too painful to pull out all their books from their beds hidden in odd places, and not get mad. And, I often wonder how they find it comfortable to sleep with those odd bundles of varied books all around them. Under the pillows, by the side of them, near their feet, fat and fatter books, thin ones, multiple stacked....
Beats me! And don't even ask me about their bathroom and the collection of books and the time it takes for them to get out..misplaced priorities!!!!
--Subadra
I dont know how I missed this one! we are avid collectors too, collecting everything from stones, stamps, postcards, leaves, and so many more things! and this is such a detailed post about sites I had no idea about!!
ReplyDelete