Coin Collecting Merit Badge Workbook
This Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook is based off the current Scouts BSA Requirements.
Type your work on this page or download the Coin Collecting Workbook PDF.
Consider also using the Coin Collecting merit badge class preparation page for clarification and expections when participating in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge opportunity (online or in-person).
Scout's Name:
Requirement 1: Understand how coins are made and where the active U.S. Mint facilities are located.
How coins are made
List all U.S. Mint facilities
Requirement 2: Explain these collecting terms:
a. Obverse
b. Reverse
c. Reeding
d. Clad
e. Type set
f. Date set
Requirement 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.
Uncirculated
Extremely Fine
Very Fine
Fine
Very Good
Good
Poor
Show five different grade examples of the same coin type
Grade and notes | Example |
Grade and notes | Example |
Grade and notes | Example |
Grade and notes | Example |
Grade and notes | Example |
Explain the term proof and why it is not a grade
What encapsulated coins are
Requirement 4: Know three different ways to store a collection, and describe the benefits, drawbacks, and expense of each method. Pick one to use when completing requirements.
First way to store a collection
Name and description | Expense |
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Second way to store a collection
Name and description | Expense |
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Third way to store a collection
Name and description | Expense |
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Requirement 5: Do ONE of the following:
Requirement 5 a: Demonstrate to your counselor that you know how to use two U.S. or world coin reference catalogs.
| Completed |
Requirement 5 b: Read a numismatic magazine or newspaper and tell your counselor about what you learned.
Requirement 6: Describe the 1999–2008 50 State Quarters® program or the 2010-2021 America the Beautiful Quarters® program. Collect and show your counselor five different quarters from circulation you have acquired from one of these programs.
Description of either program
| Collected five different quarters from circulation you have acquired from one of these programs |
Requirement 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.
Coin demonination | Mint mark | Designer's initials |
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Requirement 8: Do the following:
Requirement 8 a: Identify the people depicted on the following denominations of current U.S. paper money: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.
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Just for fun
These denominations are no longer printed but still are considered legal tender when circulated.
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Requirement 8 b: Explain “legal tender.”
Requirement 8 c: Describe the role the Federal Reserve System plays in the distribution of currency.
Requirement 9: Do ONE of the following:
Requirement 9 a: Collect and identify 50 foreign coins from at least 10 different countries.
| Completed |
Requirement 9 b: Collect and identify 20 bank notes from at least five different countries.
| Completed |
Requirement 9 c: Collect and identify 15 different tokens or medals.
| Completed |
Requirement 9 d: For each year since the year of your birth, collect a date set of a single type of coin.
| Completed |
Requirement 10: Do ONE of the following:
Requirement 10 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.
Requirement 10 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.
Requirement 10 c: Give a talk about coin collecting to a group such as your troop, a Cub Scout pack, or your class at school.
| Completed |
Requirement 10 d: Do drawings of five Colonial-era U.S. coins.
