2026-01-14
Giving Coins While Alive vs. Dead (The Warm Hand Rule)
Why wait until you are gone? Giving silver while you are alive allows you to see the joy (and teach the lesson).
There is an old saying in estate planning: "Give with a warm hand, not a frozen one."
The Benefits of Living Gifts
- Tax Efficiency: You can give $18,000 per person, per year, tax-free (Annual Gift Exclusion).
- Education: You can explain the coin as you give it. "This is a Peace Dollar. It was made after WWI."
- Joy: You get to see their face light up.
The Strategy: The Birthday Protocol
Instead of writing a $50 check for your grandson's birthday (which he will spend on video games), give him a 1oz Silver Eagle.
- Age 10: He thinks it's a cool pirate coin.
- Age 18: He realizes he has a tube of 10 Eagles worth $400.
- Age 25: He realizes you taught him how to save.
You are not just transferring wealth; you are transferring values.
Gift Guide
Which years are best for birthdays? We list the 'Key Dates' for every birth year from 1950 to 2024.