How Do Coins Become a Passion?

by Steve McDaniel

Do you remember how you first became interested in coins? For many people, the strength of the recollection is probably tied to the age of the awakening of the interest. Still, I believe most people that develop a passion for coins begin when they are quite young.

My introduction was made by my grandfather. All of these wonderful coins with histories of who had them and where they had them -- passed down from one family member to the next, through the decades and even the centuries.

You may remember the waning days of silver coin circulation, where thousands of us purchased coins from the banks and went through rolls or even bags of coins with our children so we could pull out the silver dimes, half dollars, and dollars while they were still there. Every so often we got lucky and found something even more rare and valuable.

These days it is more difficult to come across a great coin than it was before, but we still look. We remember the joy of discovery. We keep the books of coins, the framed proof sets, the sheltered heirlooms.

Now, I'd like to pass that same passion down to my own grandchildren. Perhaps you are looking to do the same. Let's do it together.