Gifts for the kids

[Sir Edward]

I like Sir Brian's idea of giving a small gold coin to some of the kids at the faire. I'm going to have to steal this idea, I think.

These are coins that I already have gotten before, to use as trading items for geocaching, and are about 50 cents each:

http://www.greatamericancoincompany.com/c5/Shiny-Gold-Doubloon-Replicas-You-Choose-Quantity-p184.html

They're out of period, of course. But it's hard to get cost effective replica coins otherwise. I found some from a variety of centuries, that are more in the $10-$20 range each, rather than about 50 cents:

http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/Coins.html

Though they have some medieval coins that are a little cheaper, but at $2.40 each it would still add up:

http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/Medieval_Coins_Groat_10_Pieces_1310-1346_GH1097.html

But this is kinda cool too... gemstones, about $1 each:

http://www.greatamericancoincompany.com/c5/Beautiful-Lot-Of-Natural-Mixed-Jewels-Gems-p230.html

Interesting selection here:

http://www.greatamericancoincompany.com/Pirate-Coins-and-Doubloons-c5.html

[Sir Edward]

More interesting coins:

http://www.fetteredcockpewters.com/page_coins.htm

[Sir Edward]

And an interesting article on the rise of gold coinage in Edward III's reign: http://www.coinlink.com/Articles/world-coins/rise-of-the-gold-standard-in-14th-century-england/#more-113

[Sir Brian]

Those are all great sites and a lot of cool coinage. 

I like giving the actual gold dollars out just in case the kid happens to be like me when I was a kid
and I couldn't hold onto even a quarter for longer than a day! 

[Das Bill]

Gotta say, I love this idea. I think the gold dubloons would be awesome, particularly at only fifty cents a piece. I know I would have LOVED that as a kid. The gemstones would also be really awesome, particularly if you had a whole pouch full of them when you pulled one out.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, I think this is all a fantastic idea. If when I was a kid, a knight had knelt down to speak to me and give me a gold coin, I'd probably still have it to this day.

The gold dollars are great because they're real money. The doubloons have the virtue of looking a little more period and being slightly cheaper. I think both ways are great.

[Sir Brian]

Well regardless if we give out real or replica coins we should ALWAYS make them earn it! 

[Sir Edward]

Absolutely.

"Here, hold this for a while, kid."  

[Sir Wolf]

theres always the fake plastic pirate money get a bag of them from party stores etc.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, but metal coins are cool!

[Sir Brian]

Yeah that is what the pirate wannabes hand out!
...Besides you don't want to get me on that Pirate vs Knight rant again! 

[Sir Edward]

Well, you know... those pirates are a cheap lot, with their plastic money!

[Sir Brian]

Oh btw I noticed the one cast member, the pirate queen...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12789726@N00/296526266/

was closely scrutinizing our group when we were relaxing on the tree bench close to the Moresca store,
especially when we were interacting with the kids...not sure if it meant anything or not, I just thought
it was a bit peculiar. 

[Sir Edward]

Probably didn't mean anything. She's been with the faire forever in a variety of roles (including Anne Boleyn). She probably was just keeping an eye out with this particularly strange lot hanging out.

[Sir Brian]

Strange? What makes you think our group was strange?