It’s been awhile since I’ve talked about my kids’ (and especially Seth’s) love for coin roll hunting. Rolled coins are easily obtained and can keep kids (old enough to keep them out of their mouths!) entertained for hours. Seth hunts through rolled pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, but he’ll tell you that nickels are his favorite with so many different types to look for: buffaloes, war nickels, and the dates to fill a basic nickel album. Recently, being a sometimes good big brother, he started an album of America the Beautiful state quarters with Silas. Silas loves hunting through the rolls with Seth. The combination of attention from his usually pre-occupied older brother, and actually being able to spot the quarters they are hunting for makes Silas really happy.
Over the past four years, since Seth first became interested in hunting through rolled coins for those of value, he has not only maintained an interest in coin hunting, and coin collecting, but he wrote an illustrated guide! He spent many months working on it, and even learned to use my camera and macro lens to photograph the coins. He cropped and edited, with minimal instruction from me. I’m incredibly proud of him for seeing the project through, despite his frustrations with me for not having time for final edits when he would have liked me to. The guide will tell you what to look for in each of the major denominations of U.S. Coins, with photo examples of all.
Seth turned sixteen in September. One of his gifts from me, was my help setting up an Etsy shop for him so he would have a place to sell his guide along with coins, fossils, and other artifacts. Being a lover of Latin, he named it Res Antiquae, which means “old things.” He’s at an age that he is starting to long for bigger and better things…a part-time job, a car eventually. He’s pretty responsible, and I am hoping that he will save his money with those goals in mind.
If you’re looking for a unique birthday or Christmas gift for your kids or grandkids, printing out Seth’s pdf guide along with some rolled coins would be a really fun and educational gift! It’s like treasure hunting without leaving home. Perfect for cold winter days! Also, check out his mixed fossil grab bags! They would make nice stocking stuffers. π
p.s. If you tried to buy the coin roll hunting guide, but it was sold out, it is there now. Seth and I were confused about how to make it renew each time it’s sold!
Samantha Mccarty says
Hoping to download the guide , but it says itβs not available. Is it possible to order the PDF version? If not, might Seth have a suggestion for other books to purchase? Thanks!
Mommastinkyface says
The boards that he keeps the coins in, where do you get those? Or does he cover that in the book? Fabulous idea!
Ginny says
You can get them at a hobby store such as Hobby Lobby, or online at Amazon. They are pretty common. And yes, he does cover that in the book! π
Anne Marie says
I think I am going to do this for my boys for Christmas.
Ellen says
But missed your porcelain lids! Boo hoo.
Ellen says
This is just wonderful, Seth and Ginny! π What ingenuity at work. I showed my boys, hoping that they would try becoming entrepreneurs via Etsy as well (not with coins but something else)… I have to follow that dream of mine too. Just bought the coin roll hunting book – thank you!
Nicole says
What a great idea! I think my 9 year old will love this.
karen says
I hope Seth makes oodles of money to buy a car! I cannot believe you are in the car driving stage of parenting….
Laura G says
My kids loved coins when they were younger (they are adults now)! What a great gift idea… if I find I need a Christmas gift for a kid the right age, this will be first on my list!
Kym says
So cool! I would have LOVED this as a kid — as I spent many a happy hour digging through pennies and nickels. What a wonderful project.
Caroline says
What a great hobby and now small business. Congratulations Seth. There is a tutorial on turning silver coins into rings and I would love to make one!
Wendy says
What a a great project–so inspiring to see older kids take an interest and turn it into a business. Love the shop name, too!
Pat says
Lovely. I’ve just ordered fossils and shark teeth for my adult boys who just happen to own a marine fish and coral import business. It’s very smart to start them in business young if they are interested. Mine are 22 and 23 now and have owned their business for 2 years.
Deborah Kramb says
What a great idea! I was looking for a unique gift idea for my 14 year old grandson – and coin searching is perfect. I ordered the booklet = will I get the download by email?
Deborah Kramb says
What a great idea!! I was looking for a unique gift idea for my 14 year old grandson! Coin searching is perfect! I ordered it – will it come in email?
Deborah Kramb says
OH WOW!! What great ideas!! I was looking for something special to gift my 14 year old grandson and the coin rolling is the trick! Will the booklet be emailed to me?
Michele says
This may be a silly question, but do you get rolled coins from the bank? Or other sources? (Maybe other people may have a bunch of these lying around, but we don’t!)
Ginny says
Yes, we get them from the bank! And Seth covers all of that in his guide π
Michele says
Thanks! π
GretchenJoanna says
I ordered some fossils for my grandson π What a great business idea!
Melissa Lessard says
Placed an order for Miocene shark teeth fossils; my girls (& I!) will love them!
Beth J. Beal says
Great Etsy Shop and thanks for sharing!
Jeannie Gray says
Congratulations to Seth for starting his own business. My ‘day job’ is serving as Cash Management Supervisor at a local theme park. I ‘play’ with money daily and it amazes me the number of times we find valuable coins.
Peg says
What a wonderful project and gift idea. Perfect timing too. I just purchased Seth’s coin guide for my nephews.
Thank you Seth. Well done!!
Lynn says
I’m afraid the guide isn’t available (despite the fix you mentioned). I’d love to purchase for my son & for a gift!
Ginny says
I know! We thought we fixed it, but didn’t. It really is there now!!
Sally says
Just tried to order the coin hunting guide, but it says sold. Will it be available later again since it is a printable? I have an 11 year old nephew that might latch on to this hobby. Also ordered some coins for my coin collector father. He loves wheat backed pennies!
Thanks!
Ginny says
Hi Sally! I’m so glad you commented. He thought he had that set up to automatically renew, but he didn’t. It’s fixed now and available in the shop again!
Rain says
I just ordered some shark teeth for my 5 year old stocking. Great work Seth!