Coin Collecting

Coin Collecting requirements

1. Understand how coins are made, and where the active U.S. Mint facilities are located.
2. Explain these collecting terms:

   a. Obverse

   b. Reverse

   c. Reeding

   d. Clad

   e. Type set

   f. Date set

3. Explain the grading terms Uncirculated, Extremely Fine, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, and Poor. Show five different grade examples of the same coin type. Explain the term proof and why it is not a grade. Tell what encapsulated coins are.
4. Know three different ways to store a collection, and describe the benefits, drawbacks, and expenses of each method. Pick one to use when completing requirements.
5. Do the following:

   a. Demonstrate to your counselor that you know how to use two U.S. or world coin reference catalogs.

   b. Read a numismatic magazine or newspaper and tell your counselor about what you learned.

6. Describe the 1999–2008 50 State Quarters® program or the America the Beautiful Quarters® program. Collect and show your counselor five different quarters from circulation you have acquired from one of these programs.
7. Collect from circulation a set of currently circulating U.S. coins. Include one coin of each denomination (cent, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar, dollar). For each coin, locate the mint marks, if any, and the designer’s initials, if any.
8. Do the following:

   a. Identify the people depicted on the following denominations of current U.S. paper money: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

   b. Explain “legal tender.”

   c. Describe the role the Federal Reserve System plays in the distribution of currency.

9. Do ONE of the following:

   a. Collect and identify 50 foreign coins from at least 10 different countries.

   b. Collect and identify 20 bank notes from at least five different countries.

   c. Collect and identify 15 different tokens or medals.

   d. For each year since the year of your birth, collect a date set of a single type of coin.

10. Do ONE of the following:

    a. Tour a U.S. Mint facility, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, or a Federal Reserve bank, and describe what you learned to your counselor.

    b. With your parent’s permission, attend a coin show or coin club meeting, or view the Web site of the U.S. Mint or a coin dealer, and report what you learned.

    c. Give a talk about coin collecting to your troop or class at school.

    d. Do drawings of five Colonial-era U.S. coins.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2014 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #637685)

A FREE workbook for Coin Collecting is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Coin Collecting requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)