PROSPECTING for 90% SILVER!!!

[AGRO]

Someone else really should start this thread.

I hope (if this is not a joke) MECO and SLV>GLD, & all the other
90% Hunters continue to post their findings here.

Luck to all!
AGRO-

[AGRO]

BTW I just scored a nice buy of assorted 90% soon to be on the chopping block....

Sort of prospecting -but - not really...

[ME Co.]

Don't look at ME. I was a dumba$$ and searched 5 quarter boxes yesterday and got one sliver to show for it. Had to try to find that sister box, dreamt last night I was watching a vendor hand out silver quarters in change- was terrible I tell ya. HH all, Mark

[Herban_Guerilla]

Don't look at ME. ... clip .... dreamt last night I was watching a vendor hand out silver quarters in change- was terrible I tell ya. HH all, Mark

LOL. You're not alone Mark. Now in my mid 50's, I recall an often recurring dream I had as a child where I would walk up to use a vending machine, and suddenly the coin return would begin puking out silver coins out into my hands, in an endless stream.

I took that often drempt dream from many years ago as sort of a guide...and as it turns out, I made my living using machines.

However, I have never had the chance to handle as large a volume of 90% as I do these days.

[K_Flynn]

So how much Ag do you pull from your machines? What kind are they-- soda, candy, ...?

LOL. You're not alone Mark. Now in my mid 50's, I recall an often recurring dream I had as a child where I would walk up to use a vending machine, and suddenly the coin return would begin puking out silver coins out into my hands, in an endless stream.

I took that often drempt dream from many years ago as sort of a guide...and as it turns out, I made my living using machines.

However, I have never had the chance to handle as large a volume of 90% as I do these days.

[Herban_Guerilla]

Oops...sorry if I wasn't clear.

I didn't make my way reaping coins from vending machines. The only way I could have my childhood dreams make any sense was an automobile towing business (making money with machines), that later evolved into a 6000 hour career as a commercial pilot. (Turbine aircraft = machines)

I was also an active skydiver and BASE jumper for 30/20 years respectively, and managed to beat myself up rather badly, and am paying for it now with huge amounts of super morphine each day, and PMs to keep me distracted.

[wiper]

1st post, been dying to register for months now..

at my local coin shop wednesday, owner asked me 'how many mercs would you buy if i was selling at .80?'

uhhhh, 50?

as i'm sure my stories will tell in the near future, i just started about 6 months ago, but have a nicely growing stash. i try to get to the coin shop twice a month, and usually drop $100-200, depending on how much turkish gold i bought on ebay.

[wiper]

as far as legit prospecting, i haven't found anything ever. though i usually just get $5 rolls at grocery/corner stores whenever i get a 5 dollar bill back as change.

sort've embarrassing to say, but i've been sorting pennies for a while now. had probably $200 worth, and i'll sit for an hour every now and then to separate the coppers and wheaties from the post 82's.

*shrug*

i know there's a melt ban, and it's not worth my time, but it calms me down. my dad likes puzzles, i like looking at 1,000 pennies. lol

[goldie40]

as far as legit prospecting, i haven't found anything ever. though i usually just get $5 rolls at grocery/corner stores whenever i get a 5 dollar bill back as change.

sort've embarrassing to say, but i've been sorting pennies for a while now. had probably $200 worth, and i'll sit for an hour every now and then to separate the coppers and wheaties from the post 82's.

*shrug*
i know there's a melt ban, and it's not worth my time, but it calms me down. my dad likes puzzles, i like looking at 1,000 pennies. lol

Hi, first post also, don't sell your self short for sorting pennies, you may be one of the few to show a profit in the long run, the coppers are worth about 2.5 cents, the wheats are up around a nickle to collectors. and you can sell the zincs back to the bank for more pennies to sort. It could be a profitable hobby although i wouldn't quit my day job, but you really can't lose. I don't even miss the few hundred that i pack away in pennies every month, but if i put 3-4 one hundred dollars bills up, they wouldn't be there very long. til silver goes down a few bucks an oz, i'll stick with copper.JMO

[BMartin9000]

as far as legit prospecting, i haven't found anything ever. though i usually just get $5 rolls at grocery/corner stores whenever i get a 5 dollar bill back as change.

sort've embarrassing to say, but i've been sorting pennies for a while now. had probably $200 worth, and i'll sit for an hour every now and then to separate the coppers and wheaties from the post 82's.

*shrug*

i know there's a melt ban, and it's not worth my time, but it calms me down. my dad likes puzzles, i like looking at 1,000 pennies. lol

Nothing wrong with sorting pennies -- copper is also valuable and I believe it will increase in value. Everything isn't about gold and silver, I recognize all value in my shop. Good hunting!

BMartin
goldbuyerok.com

[Mr Paradise]

With my wheats I buy silver, with my silver I buy gold, with my gold I buy...

[samwiii]

With my wheats I buy silver, with my silver I buy gold, with my gold I buy...

...hookers and blow?

[wiper]

oh you're right...thing is, i enjoy doing it. probably a little OCD, but hey, it's not hurting anybody else!

actually taking probably $50 or $60 worth of zincs over to my dad's in a little bit and trading him for unsorted. problem is, my jar of coppers is completely full so i'll have to find another..

[Pyramid]

Haven't posted any results in a while. Had a brief, decent run about a month ago where 4 boxes yielded (3) 90% Kens and (23) 40%. The last 3 weeks have been awful, with me stinking up the joint with a heavy dose of Fragrance By Skunk. Feast or famine, mostly the latter with an occasional score that makes it worth the effort.

[Bocephus]

I've got a Walgreens by me than every so often, I notice silver halfs in the drawer and buy them all. I have probably gotten 30 like this in the last year. I'll try to post some pictures this weekend from home.

[Cajuncoin]

Got 2 Silver 40% today. One coin at time, hoard increasing.

[gilmoujr]

Went through a grand yesterday with one box a skunk and only one 40%er out of the rest of the "bank" rolls. Not a good day at all but at least I got one right? Went to an auction later in the eve and got a bit of junk silver for less than spot - it all evens out in the end.

Also bought a box of cents. Haven't made a full count, but it looks like about 30% so far.

[ME Co.]

Lightning strikes a second time in a week. Got another quarter box some vendor won't be handing out silver change, gonna continue on while the vein holds out. Got 33 silver Washingtons out of one box and none from the other. Post a pic later. Happy Easter all, Mark

[newmisty]

Nice one Mark.

Today was the day I picked up my 3rd box in this area, 4th ever.....




21 - 40%
1 - 90%

Looks like I'm onto something so far here. The results in my first box from this area was also 21 40%'s and just two more 90's than this time, though one was a Franklin.

Needless to say I had a great time breaking those rolls open. Was really expecting a skunk after the first few rolls...then it was a steady stream of one's, two's and even 3 per roll at one point. One roll had two 40%'s right next to each other, boy don't they stand out like a sore thumb!

Thanks for sharing in my glory!

[JOE SIXPACK]

today's results:
2 $500 boxes cwi wrapped yielded 1 1964, 1 1968, and 1 1976 clad proof half dollars.
first box stunk, second box saved me from a trip to skunkytown.

J6P

[JOE SIXPACK]

today's results:
2 $500 boxes cwi wrapped yielded 1 1964, 1 1968, and 1 1976 clad proof half dollars.
first box stunk, second box saved me from a trip to skunkytown.

J6P

just for laughs, i put the 1976 half into some tarn-x, it responded by getting very shiny. the formerly clad-looking edge is now looking like a 40% or 90%. there is no mint mark on this coin. what is it's composition? i thought it was just a normal clad proof? it "rings" differently than a 90% or 40% too, the tone is higher than both 40% or 90%.

tia,
J6P

[Pyramid]

April was not overly generous to me. In like a lamb, out like a lamb, with a few productive boxes in between. Here are the stats:
Boxes: 11
40%: 12
90% Kens: 2
Mephitis mephitis (S. Skunk): 5

[newmisty]

Bought $10 worth of nickels and pulled two war nickels out!

Every little bit helps.

[77shovelhead]

Cashed a check at Sun Trust and asked for a roll of halves. Said she only had one half in her drawer and asked if I still want it. I told her I'll take everything they had. A passing teller said she had a new box in the vault and I said SOLD.

That is my first full $500.00 box, I usually only get a few rolls. 1- 40% in the whole box. This box had the only 2000 and later halves I can remember getting and a ****load of shiny 1997s and 98s.

I got this box from Sun Trust, but it was marked Wachovia and Brinks in black marker.


CC

[newmisty]

So is that box different from the Loomis string and sons boxes? Similar to the closed Brinks boxes? It was just written in marker? Glad you at least got 40% for your troubles.

Just stopped by a (new to me) bank to get a few mixed rolls of coins. Spotted three inches worth of halves stacked up in the tellers tray. Boy I could spot the silver one a mile away.

After she sold me the rolls, I asked about the halves and she pulled an envelope out of the drawer. She asked if there were any in particular that I wanted so I said yeah, anything 70 and older. There were nothing but 71 and newer in there. At the same time the other teller went through the halves in her tray and pulled out the 65 for me.

Got to love paying $.50 for a 40% half at the bank!

[77shovelhead]

So is that box different from the Loomis string and sons boxes? Similar to the closed Brinks boxes? It was just written in marker? Glad you at least got 40% for your troubles.

It was hand written in marker "Brinks" / " Wachovia". This was a unopened box and had all yellow wrapers, the kind that are rolled on the end.

[Ironpig]

Went through a box of halves. 1 2004 proof and 1 1973 proof. That's all folks.

[newmisty]

At least you ain't a virgin anymore.

What condition would you say the proofs are in? http://coinauctionshelp.com/howtogra...lfdollars.html

[charlie1023]

Here's my first post on this sub forum after following on the original GIM site for a long time. Did 2 boxes of halves today and got skunked on both, no silver, no proofs, boo hoo......

[ME Co.]

Good day today. 2 boxes dimes gave up 2 silver Roos. Got skunked on 2 boxes of quarters. But 7 boxes of halves gave up a Walker, (5) '64, and (24) 40%ers. BTW topped 300z for the year so far today. HH all, Mark

[silverwood]

Well after reading most of the posts looks like it is much to find silver coins in circulation. I don't spend much time looking in the banks anymore but years ago it was something I really enjoyed.

[dmaddox]

This is my first post. New to Precious Metals. I read this thread, and was thinking what a good idea. I called 6 banks this weekend and went by 2 to see if they had rolls or boxes of 50 cent pieces. I only found $3 worth to purchase. No silver coins. This prospecting might be more difficult than I originally thought.

Would you guys think that credit unions might be a better idea?

[Pyramid]

This is my first post. New to Precious Metals. I read this thread, and was thinking what a good idea. I called 6 banks this weekend and went by 2 to see if they had rolls or boxes of 50 cent pieces. I only found $3 worth to purchase. No silver coins. This prospecting might be more difficult than I originally thought.

Would you guys think that credit unions might be a better idea?

dmaddox:
The "cold calling" thing doesn't really work for halves, as there are very, very few banks that have them regularly due to the fact that they are virtually nonexistent in circulation. Extra legwork will probably not help much either. You pretty much have to cozy up to a friendly branch and/or teller that will order them for you every week. This is an invaluable relationship, so if you can get it going keep it that way with small gifts (e.g. leftover Halloween candy) every so often. Good luck.

[SongSungAU]

dmaddox:
The "cold calling" thing doesn't really work for halves, as there are very, very few banks that have them regularly due to the fact that they are virtually nonexistent in circulation. Extra legwork will probably not help much either. You pretty much have to cozy up to a friendly branch and/or teller that will order them for you every week. This is an invaluable relationship, so if you can get it going keep it that way with small gifts (e.g. leftover Halloween candy) every so often. Good luck.

After you have finished looking through the box of half dollars, what do you do with all the halves you don't want? Do you have to buy coin wrappers and roll them or what? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I was just wondering.

[Precious Gollum]

After you have finished looking through the box of half dollars, what do you do with all the halves you don't want? Do you have to buy coin wrappers and roll them or what? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I was just wondering.

No dumb question. Depending on the bank or credit union you use, you may need to roll the unwanted coins back up, unless the facility has a coin counting machine or service. Most banks provide coin wrappers free of charge, but from what I've gathered from others here, some banks or credit unions have limits on the number of rolls that you return (per visit), upon which they charge a modest (yet ridiculous) fee beyond their number limit. Some banks have no limit, but I think it just depends on where you live and the bank/branch you deal with. Hope that helps.

[Pyramid]

After you have finished looking through the box of half dollars, what do you do with all the halves you don't want? Do you have to buy coin wrappers and roll them or what? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I was just wondering.

As PG said above, it may depend on the banks and branches you are dealings with. However, nearly all banks have coin counters that are free of charge, if not, you need to find a new bank.

Two important rules:
1. There are SOURCE banks where you get your coins, be extremely nice and friendly b/c they are helping you. Your source bank will order for you weekly once you get a good relationship going. NEVER dump on them, ever, not even the randaom jar of change sitting on your dresser. Pick up, smile, say thank you very much and repeat next week, no more, no less.
2. There are DUMP banks where you deposit the rejects; again be friendly so they keep taking them. Generally, if a particular branch will not give up the booty, then they become a dump bank by default. Try not to bother the same dump bank more than every 3-4 weeks, they will remember you and possibly cut you off.

[charlie1023]

Just like Pyramid has responded, best way is to strike a relationship with a teller or someone at the bank who can place the order for you on a weekly basis. I found nothing by asking around but my local PNC Bank whom I have an account with will order boxes if I ask at the beginning of the week and will call me when they come in! Have to take care of my girl there to keep the relationship going....

[SilverCat]

I went to my bank, a Wells Fargo, just before Easter and bought some half dollar rolls so we could put some in the kids plastic eggs for their Easter egg hunt. I ended up with 17 40% halves out of the 80 in the four rolls. Those rolls looked like they'd been in the vault for 20 years or more. And no, I didn't give out any of the 40% halves. That was my own little Easter egg.

[ME Co.]

I went to my bank, a Wells Fargo, just before Easter and bought some half dollar rolls so we could put some in the kids plastic eggs for their Easter egg hunt. I ended up with 17 40% halves out of the 80 in the four rolls. Those rolls looked like they'd been in the vault for 20 years or more. And no, I didn't give out any of the 40% halves. That was my own little Easter egg.

Did you at least go back and clean out the vault?

Good night tonight. Got a Walker, (2) Bens, a '64, and (13) 40%ers out of 6 boxes. HH Mark

[HistoryStudent]

In RE. 40% silver halves:

I hope you went BACK for all the rest, right?

$5,615.00 NOW for a $1000 bag of same...

Hop to it it like free money!

Tell 'em you need the change for a benefit pancake breakfast for underpaid and underfed LIKE yourself....

[TylerDurden]

Not sure if this counts, but my grandma called me last week to come look at a stash of coins she found that were my grandpa's. He passed away several years ago but he collected so much stuff things just keep turning up. Anyway, after sorting out all the silver coins, I ended up leaving there with 42 war nickels, 9 40% halves, 31 roos/merc dimes, 1 standing liberty quarter and 3 90% halves.

[Jimmie]

Cool thread!

Going through my fathers old coin collection I found a pretty nice stash of 90% Silver coins.

Barber Dimes - 2
Mercury Head Dimes - 42
Roosevelt Head Dimes - 53
Washington Head Quarter - 59
Kennedy Head Half-Dollar - 2

Being the PM's beginner that I am, it felt as though I was given a little bit of a head start.

[newmisty]

That's an awesome start! Congrads on the inheritance. Do your father proud!!

Cool thread!

Going through my fathers old coin collection I found a pretty nice stash of 90% Silver coins.

Barber Dimes - 2
Mercury Head Dimes - 42
Roosevelt Head Dimes - 53
Washington Head Quarter - 59
Kennedy Head Half-Dollar - 2

Being the PM's beginner that I am, it felt as though I was given a little bit of a head start.

[ME Co.]

I'm in mourning today, just picked up the last 6 boxes I will get from a branch of my CU- find out Wednesday if the other branch is going to be a nix too. Excuse was their vault at Loomis isn't big enough to hold all the special coin orders, I guess if they can't help everyone they won't help anyone. I'm also pissed cause there's a newbie in town that I seen on another board pestering my CU for cents and nickels so......... Hopefully the other small branch can continue to get my 2/week as they don't go through much coin at all other than ME. HH Mark

[dmaddox]

I'm in mourning today, just picked up the last 6 boxes I will get from a branch of my CU- find out Wednesday if the other branch is going to be a nix too. Excuse was their vault at Loomis isn't big enough to hold all the special coin orders, I guess if they can't help everyone they won't help anyone. I'm also pissed cause there's a newbie in town that I seen on another board pestering my CU for cents and nickels so......... Hopefully the other small branch can continue to get my 2/week as they don't go through much coin at all other than ME. HH Mark

That sucks man. Hopefully your next box has a bunch of silver.

[Cajuncoin]

Another Cajuncoin find in South Louisiana, went to the Bank today and my teller friend has 140 dollars in halves, bought em and found 7 40% in the mess. 3.50 in silver out of 140 is not a badhaul. She had 5 silver dimes and a 1934 10 dollar note, what a haul!!

More Jingle for the silver pile.

L'argent c'est bon, non? Jean Lafitte el vie.

[bizmom48]

Many thanks to ME Co. for sending the summary sheet he uses to organize this madness. Makes the whole thing make more sense to me. Now if I can just get a coin or two be something other than the year after they stopped making them in silver. BTW I never could get the chart to come up on this website, but it came up like a charm on both my GMail and my smart phone. Go figure. Thanks again.

[ME Co.]

Glad you got it worked out now go find some silver to add to it. HH Mark

Slim pickins last two days- one 40% out of 10 boxes. Hope the tide changes soon.

[Unclad Lad]

I went to the bank, got a $10 roll of halves. One 1966 Kennedy, nineteen '64 Kennedy's!!! A $250 score! Some days are good..

[bizmom48]

OMGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!