This year, give your trick or treaters Halloween candy alternatives they can treasure.
Rather than the same old tasteless tooth rotting candy, give the neighborhood children something of value, something they can collect and treasure. Give them unique Halloween candy alternatives. Give them AOCS copper rounds.
As more and more evidence comes out of the havoc refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and the myriad of color, texture and taste chemicals in the average candy bar can wreak on children's long term health, more and more parents are crying out for healthy alternatives to candy. They want their children to enjoy all the fun of Halloween without having to pay for it with their health.
Compassionate and forward thinking community members are looking for alternative "treats" to drop into trick or treat bags. They've sworn off candy, but they don't want to give out the cheap plastic baubles either.
AOCS copper rounds, each weighing a full ounce and having the finish of a shiny new penny, make a great alternative to candy. Each design has its own story. AOCS copper rounds remind us of the days when money actually had value and give us hope that one day soon money will again have value. Giving copper to a child is a fun and meaningful way to give her a bit of education about good old fashioned money.
As more and more evidence comes out of the havoc refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and the myriad of color, texture and taste chemicals in the average candy bar can wreak on children's long term health, more and more parents are crying out for healthy alternatives to candy. They want their children to enjoy all the fun of Halloween without having to pay for it with their health.
Compassionate and forward thinking community members are looking for alternative "treats" to drop into trick or treat bags. They've sworn off candy, but they don't want to give out the cheap plastic baubles either.
AOCS copper rounds, each weighing a full ounce and having the finish of a shiny new penny, make a great alternative to candy. Each design has its own story. AOCS copper rounds remind us of the days when money actually had value and give us hope that one day soon money will again have value. Giving copper to a child is a fun and meaningful way to give her a bit of education about good old fashioned money.
A brief history of copper and its use as money.
Copper is the first metal man is known to work with and its discovery dates back to between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago. The Sumerians and Chaldeans soon learned they could hammer it into sheets and work those sheets into shapes. The ancient Egyptians also used copper to fashion eating utensils, farm implements, dishes, trays and more. Many of these artifacts ended up buried in Egyptian tombs and have remained in good condition to this day.
The Romans used copper as money, mainly for small purchases that couldn't be easily handled by silver and gold coin. The earliest Roman copper coins called "As" were cast in stone molds. Later, they were struck using a set of dies with the impressions placed into an anvil.
Today pure copper and copper alloys are used in a wide variety of industrial processes and features of modern life (most notably electrical wires, pipes, and the Statue of Liberty).
Up until 1982 the penny was made of 95 percent copper. Copper may very well come into use again as intrinsically valuable money for small purchases. Because of its low price it is easy to acquire and accumulate. Unlike gold and silver that are considered the money of kings and rich men, copper is viewed as the money of the working man, who needs to make small investments and transactions. It can also be the money of children.
The Romans used copper as money, mainly for small purchases that couldn't be easily handled by silver and gold coin. The earliest Roman copper coins called "As" were cast in stone molds. Later, they were struck using a set of dies with the impressions placed into an anvil.
Today pure copper and copper alloys are used in a wide variety of industrial processes and features of modern life (most notably electrical wires, pipes, and the Statue of Liberty).
Up until 1982 the penny was made of 95 percent copper. Copper may very well come into use again as intrinsically valuable money for small purchases. Because of its low price it is easy to acquire and accumulate. Unlike gold and silver that are considered the money of kings and rich men, copper is viewed as the money of the working man, who needs to make small investments and transactions. It can also be the money of children.
About AOCS copper rounds
Although widespread acceptance of AOCS barter medallions is just beginning, they are beautifully minted and make for great collectors items. Many people purchase the silver and gold medallions as a precious metals investment, or more accurately, as an inflation proof store of value. What better way to introduce a child to the concept of investing in precious metals than to drop an AOCS copper round into his trick or treat bag?
There are currently five copper medallion designs available, each with its own unique story and opportunity for education. To purchase any of the AOCS copper medallions, simply click on the picture. Each medallion comes with a printable information card you can drop in the trick or treat bag along with it. To download this fun facts card, simply click on the download link in the module describing the specific AOCS copper medallion.
Go Local Buy Local
By now your city probably has a buy local movement. More and more people are realizing that the cheap prices and convenience of the out of town big box retailers often come at the price of running the community's small stores out of business and devastating the local economy and downtown character. More and more people are making the conscious decision to buy locally whenever possible.The children in your neighborhood may already be experiencing the benefits of getting locally sourced food in their school lunch through the farm to school program.
The message of this AOCS copper medallion is simple: go local, buy local. Keep the wealth in your community. Next time your child needs or wants something, check out your local business district to see if you can buy it from a local business owner.
To purchase a set of Go Local Buy Local copper rounds, simply click on the picture. Go here to download a printable fun fact sheet you can include with it.
D'Anconia Copper
One of the first AOCS copper rounds to be produced, this AOCS barter medallion is named after Francisco d'Anconia, a central character in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged, a lengthy social commentary exploring the consequences of increased government control over industry and the destruction of the profit motive. The novel describes and advocates the author's core philosophy of Objectivism, which supports the role of human reason, individualism and the market economy.Francisco d'Anconia is the owner by inheritance of the world's largest copper mining empire, but he began working while still in school proving that he could have made a successful career by himself even though he was born to wealth and power. Fearing that his copper empire is going to be taken over by looters, he slowly and deliberately works to destroy it from the inside.
The economic recession of the late 2000s has boosted sales and popularity of Atlas Shrugged, making it #33 among Amazon's top selling books in early 2009.
To purchase a set of D'Anconia copper rounds, simply click on the picture. Go here to download a printable fun fact sheet you can include with it.
Atlas Shrugged
Free State Project
Can you persuade 20,000 people to move to New Hampshire and live in freedom? That is what the Free State Project has been working on since 2003. New Hampshire is known as the state with the least government interference in daily life and with the lowest crime rate in America. New Hampshire is also a place where the number of jobs is growing and it was ranked number one in child well-being for the third year in a row by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Even if we don't all move to New Hampshire, we can certainly all work to make our own states, cities, towns and schools as great a place as New Hampshire.The Free State Project Barter medallion is intended to be used as a statewide community currency.
To purchase a set of Free State Project copper rounds, simply click on the picture. Go here to download a printable fun fact sheet you can include with it.
Lakota Copper
In 2007, the Lakota Nation withdrew from all treaties with the United States in a decision to declare their sovereignty and independence. The Lakota are now implementing precious metal-based money to help restore wealth and prosperity to their people. Crazy Horse adorns this commemorative medallion as an important figure of the Lakota people who, in his lifetime, was committed to preserving the traditions and values of the Lakota way of life.To purchase a set of Lakota copper rounds, simply click on the picture. Go here to download a printable fun fact sheet you can include with it.
Crazy Horse
Republic of Texas
Texas has always viewed itself as its own country, and it is honored with this one ounce copper medallion.To purchase a set of Republic of Texas copper rounds, simply click on the picture. Go here to download a printable fun fact sheet you can include with it.
Texas
How about something for yourself?
AOCS copper rounds are a great alternative to candy for rewarding trick or treaters. But did you know AOCS also produces a wide variety of silver rounds at a competitive price? Why not treat yourself or a loved one to a shiny proof finish Lakota silver medallion, or any of the other beautiful pieces? AOCS barter medallions you can score on Ebay
About the Author
Fernanda Powers is the Executive Director of Northern Colorado Community Barter, an initiative that uses AOCS barter medallions. She is also a freelance writer, wife, and mother of three daughters, including one who does not tolerate refined sugar.
What was the best non-candy treat you or your child ever received for Halloween?
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Susan52
Oct 14, 2010 @ 8:49 am | delete
- One neighbor gave us a full-size Snicker's bar and a nickel. Some of us actually preferred the nickel! And that's when a nickel actually bought a thing or two! Blessings on this very unique and well-done lens. I learned something new here!
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tandemonimom Sep 15, 2010 @ 4:39 pm | delete
- I love this idea for alternative Halloween treats! I had never heard of AOCS and I think this is a great idea!
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rms Aug 25, 2010 @ 3:58 pm | delete
- Enjoyed your work here! The kids used to like getting money and candy. :)
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partybuzz
Aug 23, 2010 @ 9:24 am | delete
- Very interesting, never heard of these before. Featured on my Halloween Trick or Treat Alternative Idea lens. :)
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Wednesday_Elf
Aug 20, 2010 @ 9:04 am | delete
- Fascinating to learn about copper rounds. I'd not heard of them before. It would be a clever and memorable treat for a child instead of candy.
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by anmatt
Fernanda Powers is the Executive Director of Northern Colorado Community Barter, an initiative that uses AOCS barter medallions. She is also a freela... more »
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