Bloody perth mint :dodgy: I was lookin at an old mag so I've taken this from the "The Australasian COIN & BANKNOTE Magazine" sep 2008 ed (http://i40.tinypic.com/343kyvn.jpg)
Yep. Perth Mint has made these "Young Collectors" coins since 2008. Go to the Perth Mint website, click on "Base metal Coins" and scroll down to "Young collectors".
I recall considerable debate about them when they first came out. You notice the article says they're "specifically priced" for kids, but it doesn't say anywhere in this article what the price actually was. If I recall correctly, it was $12 each. They're now up to $15 each.
How many parents of kids, let alone kids, have that kind of money spare? $144 to complete a set of 12 dollar coins? When I was a kid collector (which wasn't that long ago, dang it) my annual coin budget was $50 - call it $100 in today's money. While I applaud every honest effort at getting kids into the hobby, I'm not entirely sure how successful such expensive, gimmicky items are likely to be. They're still doing it, so I assume the money's coming in for the mint to keep the programme going.
I like a lot about this story like the 3rd line 1st paragraph "snaring" are we trapped aminals now, and like you say sap who has that sort of money and especially kids and I like the bit about making them a gift. I must admit I thought of trout's granny bait after reading it again and also thought how hard they've been going with it all since then..bit sad really
Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='23478' dateline='1375262451'I like a lot about this story like the 3rd line 1st paragraph "snaring" are we trapped aminals now, and like you say sap who has that sort of money and especially kids and I like the bit about making them a gift. I must admit I thought of trout's granny bait after reading it again and also thought how hard they've been going with it all since then..bit sad really
"snaring" may not be the right word.. its more the
"fishing" for collectors like Trout, who simply
have to have every issue, that keeps such programs afloat.
If they really wanted to spark interest in young collectors, they'd be better off doing a limited edition, and giving one to every student. Like they did with those medallions years ago, but this time with actual, real dollar coins
(or even 50¢ or 20¢, as long as they're proper coins). That way, some kids would spend them or sell them, which would get them into circulation, sparking interest in the broader community. Mintage would only be 2-3 million, and demand would be high. So the price would rise, and those who spent theirs would quickly learn a valuable lesson. Do this every few years and you would soon build up a sizable pool of new collectors.
The cost of such a program would be minimal, certainly when compared to any of the huge white elephants the government have sold us over the years. The upside would be huge, not only in terms of a larger pool of potential customers for the many trinkets the souvenir factories churn out, but also because all that currency we stash away presents a sizable economic benefit, being a form of savings.
Bah, who am I kidding? They'd never go for this. Its not something either politicians or bureaucrats could get their heads around.
Young collectors will start by collecting circulating coins and try to get all the dates that's how I started
When they realise a mint set is over $30 OUCH !!!!
I hate the idea Perth Mint pursues young collectors
I remember saying at the time that they were overpriced to be for "young collectors"
Around that time I was starting to put together a complete collection of Perth mint dollar coins, as I didn't think that there would be too many sets around & it would have been a good looking set.
I personally think that the Perth mint dollar coins are far superior to the RAM coins, but size & the fact that they are not circulating coins stopped me going ahead.
I'm glad to say now I'm very happy with that decision as the amount of crap I would have had to buy would be staggering.
But if anybody is interested I have a set of "young collectors insects" (with magnifying glass) at a good price.
Quote from: 'interest' pid='23527' dateline='1375280065'But if anybody is interested I have a set of "young collectors insects" (with magnifying glass) at a good price.
How much of a discount off face value? :angel:
Some of their kids coins are $60! Circulated coins is the best way for young collectors IMO. I started off with a bag of 1c and 2c coins I found at my grandparents house and then moved onto the commemorative 50c coins.
I started my nephews collection by introducing him to circulating coins he started on the 50 and 20 and $1 dates and is now a true blue fanatic looking for every date of all denominations now.
That's a true collector he loves it :)
Quote from: 'runway' pid='23910' dateline='1375618368'I started my nephews collection by introducing him to circulating coins he started on the 50 and 20 and $1 dates and is now a true blue fanatic looking for every date of all denominations now.
That's a true collector he loves it :)
How old is he?
Nevol he is 12 yrs old