# Coin Collecting Merit Badge Requirements

- Eagle-required: No
- Category: Hobbies
- Official requirements: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/coin-collecting/
- Pamphlet: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Pamphlets/Coin%20Collecting.pdf
- Last synced from scouting.org: 2026-03-29
- Overview: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/coin-collecting/index.md
- Digital Resource Guide: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/coin-collecting/guide/index.md

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** *How Coins Are Made* Understand how coins are made and where the active U.S. Mint facilities are located.
- **2** *Coin Terminology* Explain the following terms: obverse, reverse, reeding, clad, type set, and date set.
- **3** *Storing Your Collection* Describe three different ways to store a collection, and the benefits, drawbacks, and cost of each method.
- **4** (Do all) Do the following and explain to your counselor the design features, designer name, designer initials, and where to find them for each item:
  - **4.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.
  - **4.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.
  - **4.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.
  - **4.e** *The Half Dollar* Collect a half dollar coin from 1965-present.
  - **4.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** *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** *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** *Expanding Your Horizons* (Choose 1) Do ONE of the following:
  - **7.a** 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.
  - **7.b** 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.
  - **7.c** Collect and identify for your counselor 20 different tokens and/or medals. Identify the issuer and use of each.
  - **7.d** (Choose 1) Complete one of the following and report to your counselor what you experienced:
    - **7.d.1** Attend a coin show.
    - **7.d.2** Attend a coin club meeting.
    - **7.d.3** Tour a U.S. Mint facility or museum.
    - **7.d.4** Tour a virtual exhibit (with your parent or guardian's permission) approved by your counselor.