 Coin Collection
This Merit Badge requires 1 session to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Coin Collection merit badge are: 6, 7, 9, 10
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Coin Collection Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
NOTE: Note from counselor: The purpose of the coin collecting session is to see if you have fulfill the requirements listed in the Boy Scout Merit Badge Requirement Book. This is not a lecture session. Bring a type set of U. S. Coins. A type set is one penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and half-dollar for a particular year. Have at least one coin from each mint. Read your merit badge book and see what you will be tested for. |
1. |
Understand how coins are made, and where the active U.S. Mint facilities are located. |
2. |
Explain these collecting terms: |
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. |
| 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 current 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. |
| 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, a Bureau of Engraving and Printing facility, a Federal Reserve bank, or a numismatic museum or exhibit, 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 Website of the
U.S. Mint or a coin dealer, and report what you
learned. |
| c. |
Give a talk about coin collecting to a group such
as your troop, a Cub Scout pack, or your class at
school. |
| d. |
Do drawings of five Colonial-era U.S. coins. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2024"
Download the workbook for the
Coin Collection Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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