Learn about coin minting, numismatic terminology, and collection storage methods. Explore U.S. Mint facilities and preservation techniques to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. 1. The U.S. Mint

    How Coins Are Made

    Understand how coins are made and where the active U.S. Mint facilities are located.

  2. 2. Coin Anatomy

    Coin Terminology

    Explain the following terms: obverse, reverse, reeding, clad, type set, and date set.

  3. 3. Caring for Your Collection

    Storing Your Collection

    Describe three different ways to store a collection, and the benefits, drawbacks, and cost of each method.

  4. 4. Building Your Collection

    Do the following and explain to your counselor the design features, designer name, designer initials, and where to find them for each item:

    Do all
    1. a.

      The One-Cent Coin

      Collect a one-cent coin from the year group: 1959-2008 (that is, dated between 1959 and 2008) and a one-cent coin from the year group 2010-present. Explain how and why the one-cent coins issued in 2009 were different from either of the other two year groups.
    2. b.

      The Five-Cent Coin

      Collect two five-cent coins, one from each of these year groups: 1959-2003 and 2006-present. Explain how and why the five-cent coins issued in 2004-2005 were different from either of the other two year groups.
    3. c.

      The Ten-Cent Coin

      Collect a ten-cent coin from 1965-present.
    4. d.

      The Quarter

      Collect a twenty-five-cent coin from 1965-1998, two examples from the 50-State Quarter® /territories Program 1999-2009, two designs from the America the Beautiful® program 2010-2021 and two designs from the American Woman Quarter® program (2022-2024). Explain the purpose of each of those programs.
    5. e.

      The Half Dollar

      Collect a half dollar coin from 1965-present.
    6. f.

      The Dollar Coin

      Collect a dollar coin from the following design groups: Susan B. Anthony 1979-1981, 1999, Sacagawea 2000-2008, U.S. Presidents 2007-2016, 2020.

  5. 5. Commemorative Coins

    Bicentennial Coins

    Describe and discuss with your counselor the special reverse designs of the quarters, half dollar and dollar coin struck in 1975-1976 to honor the U.S. Bicentennial.

  6. 6. Paper Money

    U.S. Currency

    Identify for your counselor the people depicted on current currency: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes. Explain where United States currency is printed.

  7. 7. Going Global

    Expanding Your Horizons

    Choose 1
    Do ONE of the following:
    1. Collect and identify for your counselor 20 different world coins from at least seven different countries. Identify the country, major design elements, and denomination of each.
    2. Collect and identify for your counselor 20 different world paper money from at least 7 different countries. Identify the country, major design elements, and denomination of each.
    3. Collect and identify for your counselor 20 different tokens and/or medals. Identify the issuer and use of each.

    4. Complete one of the following and report to your counselor what you experienced:

      Choose 1

      1. Attend a coin show.

      2. Attend a coin club meeting.

      3. S. Mint facility or museum.

      4. Tour a virtual exhibit (with your parent or guardian’s permission) approved by your counselor.