A fun project for coin enthusiasts is to assemble a birth year type coin set — or a conception year type coin set.
What is that?
Essentially, it’s a collection of coins that were struck during the year of one’s birth or the year of one’s conception.
Coin sets by year can range in size and scope. There are no rules.
Let’s start with birth year coin sets…
For a birth year set, the idea is to pick out of pocket change an example of each coin you find that was struck the year you were born.
Or… for new parents (or as a baby gift for new parents), you select one of each coin from the year the baby is born!
By the way, here’s a list of coins in pocket change that are worth more than face value.
How To Assemble Birth Year Coin Sets
First, find one of each of the following coins from a specific year:
- a penny
- a nickel
- a dime
- a quarter
- a half-dollar
- a dollar coin
Then, save those coins — or display them in a way that is meaningful to you:
- Framed and placed on a coffee table
- Hung on the wall (another example here)
- Saved in a unique display box
- Organized in knick-knack display boxes
If desired, you could elaborate on birth year coin sets even further. For example, you could also purchase a mint coin set, a proof coin set, and any other coin item from the year of your birth and put this together as a birth year coin collection. Proof sets, mint sets, commemorative coins, and any other pieces you may need for making birth year coin sets can be found at most coin dealers’ stores.
How To Assemble Conception Year Coin Sets
Another similar idea is a clever twist on the birth year coin sets called a conception year coin set.
This is a fun coin display to make for yourself or a loved one — a nostalgic way to retain a piece of the past that is uniquely meaningful.
It’s also great:
- if you’re expecting a baby
- to give as a shower gift for expecting parents
- as a DIY project for a child that you’re trying to get interested in coin collecting
For those of us who were conceived in one year but born in the following calendar year, this can be an exciting (albeit unique) approach to coin collecting!
Basically, a conception year coin set consists of the same type of coins as a birth year coin set (mentioned above) — at least one example of each denomination made the year of the child’s conception — including a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar, and dollar coin.
TIP: As long as you were conceived in the last few decades, a conception year coin set shouldn’t cost you more than $5 to $10 to complete — if you have to buy the coins from a coin dealer. You can also look for the coins in your pocket change.
A conception year coin set makes a great gift idea for somebody special in your life!
How I Put Together My Birth Year Set
I was born in 1981.
For starters, I purchased a 1981 proof set and 1981 mint set.
Then, because I wanted a complete representation of the kinds of coins “made” in 1981, I included an example of the 1982 George Washington half dollar.
Why is that coin included in my 1981 birth year set?
Because Public Law 97-104, which authorized the coin’s production, was passed in 1981. Therefore, the George Washington half dollar has certain “roots” to 1981 and I thought that would make it an interesting and appropriate addition to my birth year collection.
Something else I include in my 1981 birth year set is a copy of the 1981 edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman. Why? Because a vintage copy of “the red book” from the year of your birth is a neat addition to such a collection. Plus, it gives you a chance to see what coin prices were like way back when. Many coin dealers stock old copies of “A Guide Book of United States Coins.” Old copies can also be found on eBay.
Here is a video tour of my 1981 birth year coin set:
The Bottom Line…
One of the great things about coin collecting is you get to decide what you want to collect! And only you can determine what should (or should not) be included in your own special year coin sets.
Have fun!
