Coins Make Great Collectible Gift Ideas

Are you like me and always struggling to find gifts for those teenage nephews, nieces, cousins and other young adults? I usually revert to giving cash, gift cards or some other type of gift that can easily be exchanged, returned or used to allow them to purchase what they want. I decided this year that for all those hard to buy for people on my Christmas list, I'll be giving them collectible coins. I know it doesn't sound like giving coins as a gift is much different than giving cash but in reality it really is. Giving a young adult or teenager a Silver American Eagle dollar or a 2008 Silver Proof gives them the opportunity to start their own coin collection. Giving coins as a gift isn't much different than buying bonds for kids. I know plenty of people that get kids U.S. Savings bonds every Christmas or birthday. I've decided instead of giving them bonds I'll give them a gold or silver coin that can both act as an investment and allow them to get something quite unique under the tree. Even getting them a proofset for their birth year might be a good idea. It will allow them to have something different to remember you buy. State quarters are quite popular as well. Now that the Hawaii State Quarter has been release all 50 state quaters are available to choose from. I'm not saying to go out and buy an overly expensive rare coin but a fairly current proof set, mint set , silver round or commemerative coins is well with in the price range for most people's Chrismas budget. You can check out a full list of coins produced at the US Mint. If you would like ot start introducing your kids or perhaps start colleting coins for yourself you might find some good information about coin collecting for beginners here.

Grandpa's Old Pocket Watch

Many of us have been blessed by receiving an old pocket watch from or Grandpa or perhaps from our father. These beautiful antique time pieces don't have much demand as a time keeper in today's world but the do still have both sentimental value and value as a collectible. Many antique pocket watches were made with very high quality precious metals and gems. Some of the most popular and most commonly found pocket watches found today were made by Elgin. Elgin watches very greatly in price from fairly inexpensive to outrageouly priced. Depending on the amount of jewels, the metal the casing is made from, how decorative the face is will determine much of its monetary worth.

Silver and Gold are probably the most common metals used to make the watch case and chains found on antique pocket watches. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other precious gems can also be found on some of the most ornate of these pocket watches.

Like any collectible antique there is a large quantity of these pocket watches avialable through garage sales, online auctions and local thrift stores, so keep your eyes peeled as you are out and about. With the price of gold and silver doing particularly well in the market today you might be suprised at the price you will have to pay for a Gold Antique Pocket Watch