Lincoln Memoral Cent Penny, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime - Perfect for Kids to Collect

There's nothing easier than the Lincoln Memorial Cent, the Jefferson Nickel and the Roosevelt Dime to begin to develop a child's interest in collecting.  Because the coins do not have to be in perfect condition and because they are everywhere makes it an easy teaching tool.  The very fact that you can pay face value for a "collectable" also comes in very handy.  Very little in the way of supplies is needed.  Certainly, a folder for each coin would be ideal so that kids can see their progress in what they have been able to collect as well as determine what their next step should be.  As their progress grows, so does their enthusiasm for this venue of collecting.  Children at the age of 10 are usually able to begin to handle the responsibilities that coin collecting entails.  In addition to collecting and seeing their own progress, using collecting as an educational benefit of learning history is an added bonus.  

The Lincoln Memorial Cent Penny was minted from 1959 to present day.  The obverse shows the bust of Abraham Lincoln while the reverse shows the Lincoln Memorial.  The metal composition of the Lincoln Memoral Cent Penny from 1959 to 1982 was 95% copper and 5% zinc.  Due to the rising costs of copper, a change was made in 1982 with the metal composition of 95% zinc and 5% copper.  The design remained unchanged but the metal content is about 20% lighter than their previous counterparts.  This one point alone will teach children something of value about the Lincoln Memorial Cent Penny.  Throw in the history about President Lincoln, the history of the country and why the design was changed from the wheat to the memorial, you have a perfect opportunity to teach lessons that they sure won't learn in any classroom or have near as much fun learning about!