The next time you give your child an allowance, be sure to tell them to pay special attention to any change they get when they spend it. They might find a special coin the next time they go with you to the gas station, mall, or train station.
The Great American Coin Hunt for 2019 began April 21st through the 27th to coincide with National Coin Week.
Coins as early as the 1800’s to freshly minted pieces were hiding in plain sight, from buffalo nickels to Ike dollars, to silver certificates. The idea went viral just a few days after coin experts gathered together with the idea, and they couldn’t have been more excited. Young coin enthusiasts who participated would’ve gone on the treasure hunt of their lives.
Not only that, in true Willy Wonky style, the organizers had five “Golden Tickets” and 250 specially marked holographic medallions which could be exchanged for numismatic rarities that were valued as high as $1,000 each.
With so many treasures to be found, it’s no wonder the organizers were so excited to kick it off. Their biggest goal was to encourage more young Americans to take up the hobby and visit more Mom and Pop stores that sell and trade rare coins.
The history of National Coin Week began in 1924 with the American Numismatic Association (ANA) in order “to attract the general public to our hobby and consequently increase our membership, and aid in our science.”
And if you and your child didn’t get a chance to participate this year, don’t worry. There’s still 2020 to look forward to! You can follow updates with the hashtag #GreatAmericanCoinHunt on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.