too much for just loose change
October 3, 2011 8:34 AM Subscribe
What to do with a random collection of foreign coins?
I've recently rediscovered a collection of coins from all over the world that I amassed as a child, 15-20 years ago. There are probably about 200 coins, with no real rhyme or reason to the collection - it was just whatever I could obtain from family/friends who had been travelling. I'd like to do something with (at least some of) them, but I have no idea what. Any ideas for ways to display them, or something else interesting to do with them? "Transforming" them is ok but I'd prefer something I can do myself at home rather than something requiring outsourcing.
(Bonus: is there an easy way to figure out if any of them are valuable? I doubt it since they're not that old, but who knows...)
I've recently rediscovered a collection of coins from all over the world that I amassed as a child, 15-20 years ago. There are probably about 200 coins, with no real rhyme or reason to the collection - it was just whatever I could obtain from family/friends who had been travelling. I'd like to do something with (at least some of) them, but I have no idea what. Any ideas for ways to display them, or something else interesting to do with them? "Transforming" them is ok but I'd prefer something I can do myself at home rather than something requiring outsourcing.
(Bonus: is there an easy way to figure out if any of them are valuable? I doubt it since they're not that old, but who knows...)
One of those shadow box/frame things from the craft store, some museum putty, and you can mount them in the frame in an interesting pattern. You could also drill them for attaching to a charm bracelet or necklace.
posted by ersatzkat at 10:02 AM on October 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ersatzkat at 10:02 AM on October 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Drilling a hole and making them into neat key chains to give as gifts is a great way to recycle. If you want to get rid of some of the less valuable ones, contact your local school. I know my teacher friend was looking for foreign coins for a geography unit, and I doubt she the only one.
posted by Nickel Pickle at 10:19 AM on October 3, 2011
posted by Nickel Pickle at 10:19 AM on October 3, 2011
Best answer: I gathered mine in the appropriate container (dependent on what is needed in this area) and put in the Feng Shui area for Fortune. So for instance you may need a water element and you could put the coins in a little fountain. Of maybe you need an earth element you could put them in a clay pot for display. You probably won't want to put all of the coins in one.
posted by JXBeach at 11:47 AM on October 3, 2011
posted by JXBeach at 11:47 AM on October 3, 2011
Best answer: If you know anyone who makes jewelry, they might like them, and kids would like them. Value - look them up on the web, but keep in mind that a seller doesn't generally get that amount.
posted by theora55 at 3:14 PM on October 3, 2011
posted by theora55 at 3:14 PM on October 3, 2011
If you want to be charitable, kids in general are fascinated by and adore foreign coins. They will treasure them far beyond their value and play with them a lot.
posted by smoke at 4:26 PM on October 3, 2011
posted by smoke at 4:26 PM on October 3, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks, phunniemee, not sure how I missed that previous thread!
posted by SymphonyNumberNine at 7:31 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by SymphonyNumberNine at 7:31 PM on October 8, 2011
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posted by phunniemee at 8:37 AM on October 3, 2011