When I first started collecting coins in the early 1990s, there was very little designed with the young coin collector in mind.
I read plenty of educational and helpful books and magazines. And I did check out a few good coin collecting videos — all geared toward the adult collector.
Looking back, I know that I would have enjoyed anything designed for the young coin collector just entering the hobby.
Fast forward to the present day, and you can see how things have changed. Along with the presence of the World Wide Web, there is also an abundance of websites built with young coin collectors in mind.
One of the best is H.I.P Pocket Change on the United States Mint‘s website.
It’s one of my favorite places to direct the young coin collectors — and the parents of new, young collectors.
Designed just for kids, the site is full of interactive, educational, and interesting games, activities, and informational tidbits that will spark the imagination and curiosity of young, budding numismatists.
What’s The H.I.P. Pocket Change Site Like?
So, what can young people and their parents expect to find on H.I.P. Pocket Change?
Plenty of wonderful and engaging things to keep young minds busy.
The Toons section includes short and entertaining cartoons about topics such as the making of coins and Time Machines to special moments in American and coinage history.
The Coins and Medals section introduces young coin collectors to the many types of coins the U.S. Mint produces, including regular circulation strikes, Presidential $1 Coins, 2009 Bicentennial Lincoln cents and more. There’s even a section which explains all about Europe’s Euro!
The H.I.P. Pocket Change Games section lets young numismatists (and older ones, too!) play interactive and stimulating games which include identifying presidents on U.S. coins, solving coin crossword puzzles, coloring designs from the 50 States Quarters Program, and much more.
The Mint History area allows kids to explore the history of the U.S. Mint, test their U.S. Mint trivia knowledge, and look at a timeline of the United States Mint’s past.
The Collector’s Club is a special place on the H.I.P. Pocket Change site designed to get young kids actively involved in the hobby of coin collecting. This area includes a coin collecting library, a coin collecting glossary, and 10 Facts Coin Kids Should Know. Ever wonder who the first coin collector was? Curious how many coins the U.S. Mint makes every year? Check out that 10 Facts page! It is a place I think even many older coin collectors will want to investigate, as well.
And don’t forget to check out the H.I.P. Pocket Change Coin News section for all the latest buzz from the U.S. Mint!
