I gave a presentation for groups of children at one of the Whitman Expos in Atlanta a few years ago, centered on the designs of ancient coins and the question "What would YOU put on a coin if you wanted people in 2,000 years to know about you?" I used Milestone Coins as a launch pad for the discussion, and to show the kids examples of the messages and themes on ancient coins. They were fascinated.

I half-jokingly told one group, "I might show a beagle on my coin, because I have two beagles and I think they're the greatest dogs in the world." One little girl's eyes lit up and she could barely contain her enthusiasm --- she looked like I just told her Santa Claus was on his way with a sleigh full of candy and toys. "I love beagles!" she said in an excited whisper. "I would put my beagle on a coin, too!"

What a great reaction! It was such a heart-on-your-sleeves exclamation. . . . I really felt like I'd gotten her thinking about how cool coins are, and how they communicate to us --- they're more than just pieces of metal.