In 2018, I was excited to get 14 coins from fellow Local Guides during Connect Live event in San Francisco. It rejuvenated my interest in numismatics. I ordered for a Coin Album with 250 holders. It was for a long term project but that was not to be.
Caption: 14 Coins collated at Connective Live 2018
A year later, after being selected to attend Connect Live 2019, I requested fellow attendees to “Bring One Coin” in exchange for mine. There was a massive interest by Local Guides to bring some coins for me and others too. This resulted to the collection of over 170 coins! The collection album was 98% filled and of course heavy. I recall that @KarenVChin asked how I was able to carry the coins back to Nigeria. Well, I brought the album with me to California
Some of the coins had some special stories around them. Stella touched my soul. She brought her entire collection of over 20years to San Jose. She shared her collection experience over the years and how nobody around her was ready to inherit the invaluable coins. She felt she should gift it to a passionate collector- me. I was previledged to select coins of my choice while the rest where given to other LGs. I am not selfish. No way. Greece has my love
Ameyali, my dear Friend from Mexico, ensured she brought some rare Mexican coins. A few days ago, she enquired if I liked them, I told her I loved the coins.
Thushy gifted me a rare ceylon coin from Sri Lanka which he had kept for a while. I saw the passion in his eyes, as he told me about the rare coin. He believes I’ll keep and cherish it and I really do.
Caption: Ceylon coin from Sri Lanka courtesy of Illankovan
My collection included precious mints from Argentina, Brazil, Canada,Greece, Mexico, Poland, Singapore , United States including stamps and mini flags. Each coin had a special story.
Beyond the coins, we had opportunity to interact and connect before and after Connect Live. Here are some extracts from a few of them:
“I am sure you will collect even more than 20 countries! There will be a lot of stories you will have later on of your friends.” ~ @TsekoV
“Hello! I was able to get a US dollar coin for you at the bank. I will have it the event. Please reach out to me while there so I can give to you. On the welcome night I’ll be in a southern belle dress (like the move ‘Gone with the Wind’).”~ Denise
“Hi Emeka! I’ve prepared these coins for you.
On the left coins from Poland,on the right one Turkish, one from Danmark.” ~ Ania
“Hello! Are you at the lounge? I have coins for you 
There are 8 sides to the coin so it’s an auspicious lucky number so whoever holds it will be lucky :)” ~ @CrystalKoh
“Great idea, count me in. I also like to collect coins, but I have few so far. It will be great exchange coins with you and others” ~ @AlexandreCampbell
" I got coin from you last year and I will bring some coin from my country for you."
~ @sejuta_pelangi
“I will give you a very old (Ceylon) Sri Lanka coin to you. It’s very old, and these days we can not find this coin in Sri Lanka, this is one of my favorite coin from the collection” ~ @IlankovanT
“Do you have any Euro coins from Portugal? Do you need any special Euro coin from other european country? You can count on me!” ~ @Patriciapraca
“Hey, I have your coins with me here at breakfast” ~ @Jesi
At some point during Connect Live 2019, some LGs were asking for the “Coin Guy.” @TraciC also had to tell me there were LGs who had coins for me at the inquiry desk. I was really amazed by the passion of Local Guides to support my collection
This Coin Album has been donated to a mini library in my village to enable chidren in rural areas learn about other countries. I believe this will inspire them to become global volunteers in the future just like Local Guides. See the coins album
Caption: Photo showing Nigerian coins for Local Guides and Googles in San Jose
On accessibility, I want to state that some of these coins are made in such a way that PwDs can also identify them. Coin Embossing and engraving at the edges helps them to recognize denominations. Look out for them. i.e India and Kenya coins.
Numismatics can be fun. You’d probably see same coin but they aren’t quite the same. It could be mints from different years and commemorations.
Collecting such number of currencies from various countries courtesy of LG camaraderie is a dream come true.I am unable to tag everyone.
Thank you Local Guides
