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Director of Collections Chris Carron takes us behind the scenes to talk about how you can start your own collection with piggy banks and coins.
Here's more information about the items Chris just showed you.
- Mechanical banks were patented in 1869 as a way for adults to encourage children to save money for the future.
- The oldest piggy banks date to the Middle Ages in Asia and Europe. Th plastic piggy bank in this video dates from the 1990s. It's from Chris's own desk.
- The first penny circulated in America is known as the Franklin cent, minted under the direction of Congress in 1787.
- Before the American Revolution, all the American colonies printed their own paper money. This five dollar Continental bill was produced in 1776 to be used during the Revolutionary War by the united colonies.
- The Spanish treasure galleon was part of a fleet of ships that sank in a hurricane off the Florida coast in 1622. It carried silver coins like this one on board, which were discovered in 1969.
You might not have treasures like these, but you might be surprised at what you can find around your house. Ask your grown-ups if you can look at the coins they have. Try to find out when and where they were made. You'll be on your way to having a coin collection of your very own!
Share your collection!
Once you've started your coin collection, share it with us by using the hashtag #TCMatHome on social media. We can't wait to see what you've found!
