PROSPECTING for 90% SILVER!!!

[newmisty]

Amazing. And somewhere a grandma has a purse full of fresh $1 bills.

[PhucilliJerry]

Just had the most amazing dime box ever. Have been hitting 2/box for the past week or so (which is good), so I continue. Last night when I dumped I stocked up on some more- 6 boxes, did a few last night- still 2 or 3/. Tonight I openned one and see silver on the end of an obvious short roll, cool (I save those for last- something to look forward to). Anyways getting one here and there through the box, then I got 7 in one roll (awesome), then back to one here and there, then I got 9 in a roll- by now I'm freaking estatic, got a stack of slivers 20+ tall and I know I've got one more at least right. Last roll went over the top, not only was silver on one end but one the other end too and 2/3 of the coins in between, 33 silvers and 15 clad. Total take 56 silver Roos from one box- afraid I may be spoiled now. BTW when I dump tomarrow I will be getting more. HH all, Mark

Wow. Congrats on that box. I don't even have that many dimes this year so far....... 0 for 3 tonight too.

[samwiii]

Just had the most amazing dime box ever. Have been hitting 2/box for the past week or so (which is good), so I continue. Last night when I dumped I stocked up on some more- 6 boxes, did a few last night- still 2 or 3/. Tonight I openned one and see silver on the end of an obvious short roll, cool (I save those for last- something to look forward to). Anyways getting one here and there through the box, then I got 7 in one roll (awesome), then back to one here and there, then I got 9 in a roll- by now I'm freaking estatic, got a stack of slivers 20+ tall and I know I've got one more at least right. Last roll went over the top, not only was silver on one end but one the other end too and 2/3 of the coins in between, 33 silvers and 15 clad. Total take 56 silver Roos from one box- afraid I may be spoiled now. BTW when I dump tomarrow I will be getting more. HH all, Mark

After also consistently getting about 2/box, my last 3 boxes have been skunks. At least now I know where they all went. Congrats on the treasure!

[ME Co.]

Well I went back to the same branch and got the only 2 remaining boxes of that style but only got a few extras. Hate to think of the best box being doled out as change, maybe I will get lucky and find it this weekend. HH all, Mark

[ME Co.]

Think I made a good trade this AM, gave up 49 War Nicks and 16 40% halves for 73 silver Roos. Straight up melt for melt trade except one of the halves was a 70D and I got 4 slivers out of it. Always looking to upgrade coins to 90% at least. Also may be trading sets of silver Roos for $6fv 90%, sets hold $4.80fv. Not too distant future I plan to be divesting out of all my coin books in roughly the same way, looking for a little bigger and nicer camper to live in at mining camp this year and don't want to be bogged down with too much stuff- just show ME the metal haha.
Still plugging along in the hunt as well. HH all, Mark

[samwiii]

Never thought it would come down to a "woo hoo" for two measly 40% Kennedy's in a $500 box, but I've had such bad luck lately that I needs to take what I's can get.

[Silver Dragon]

I hear ya Samwii. I've been on a rough patch myself. I'm beginning to wonder if I haven't bled my area dry.

I rather like to think I'm saving up for the big score! *Fingers crossed*

[ME Co.]

Never thought it would come down to a "woo hoo" for two measly 40% Kennedy's in a $500 box, but I've had such bad luck lately that I needs to take what I's can get.

I hadn't found any silver in halves for weeks till Thursday, one box gave up a Ben, a '64 and (6) 40%. Talk about happy dance. The 3 other halve boxes last week didn't even tease, dimes are still plugging away though. HH all, Mark

[ME Co.]

Few days left for the month folks, better kick it up a notch. HH Mark

[Pyramid]

This low-paying, part-time job/hobby we call prospecting paid me 86 FRN's in silver this month which was a statistically insignificant uptick in productivity over the past couple of months. I was rewarded for my time with 3-90% and 7-40% out of 8 boxes of halves. Also found 3 silver Roos out of 40 rolls.

On a side note; I had a brief conversation with a branch manager who was asking some questions and was really cool. Told him I don't find much, but as long as the coins keep coming, I'll keep going. He mentioned that he was going to start "prospecting" himself, and that he felt very strongly that silver is going to continue its ascension. Not that he has any inside information (but might), but I found it very interesting that an individual in the banking industry was that candid and interested about silver prices. Food for thought anyway.

Good luck out there folks!

[Silver Dragon]

FINALLY!!!

My cold spell has been broken!

After being skunked on 9 boxes of halves and 6 boxes of dimes I finally turned up 10 40% halves and 1 Roosevelt in the boxes I picked up today! That was such a long cold spell I was about to loose my mind!

[ME Co.]

Well time to lay down the cards. February gave ME 186 dimes, 4) 90% halves, 8) 40% halves and ten War Nickels.
On a more positive note I made about $45 last night at the coin club meeting in the auction- I sell things (clad) I find that I don't want like 7 Buffalo Nickels that went for $12 cause one was a '16S, another Buff had about 8% die rotation and went for $3. 3 mint rolls of halves I took off my tellers hands garnered $15 each. Lots of clad proofs went away at profit. I don't sell any silva but I trade the war nicks melt for melt in dimes. Got 2 sets of silver Roos may be trading for $6 in 90% (profit of $1.20 silva), and another set I'd like to trade the same way. Three sets of Franklins need to bring home some silva profit. Walker, Washington, and Merc folders would make someone nice starter sets. May would have to sell the Kennedy book for cash as its got too much clad in it but its the best I've seen for FV hunting. But now I'm ranting.
HH all, Mark

[dozer99]

Never really tried the prospecting thing.....BUT. I went into a small gas station the other afternoon to buy a bottle of water. Handed the girl behind the counter two $1 bills and she started to give me change. I asked her if she had any half dollars and she said "I have one". So she handed me the half, a quarter, a nickle and three pennies. There in my hand smiling up at me was a 1948 Franklin! Made my day just a little bit better. Cheapest bottle of water I ever bought!

[dozer99]

Ok, just got the fever (from that Franklin) and went to the bank at lunch. Bought three rolls and found 2 40%. This might be fun.

[valediction]

Ok, just got the fever (from that Franklin) and went to the bank at lunch. Bought three rolls and found 2 40%. This might be fun.

Nice, I've picked up $200 worth of rolls at my bank and the closest I got was a 1971 and only one was that old

[dozer99]

I don't know if this makes a difference but the three rolls I picked up where not the tight packed rolls you get from brinks or Loomis. They looked like they where home rolled. I think I will be going back to that bank tomorrow at lunch.

[Pyramid]

Ok, just got the fever (from that Franklin) and went to the bank at lunch. Bought three rolls and found 2 40%. This might be fun.

Nice little hot streak you are on. With luck like that, you might want to buy a lottery ticket while your at it.

[Numismatist28]

I don't know how you guys do it. I keep reading about everyone pulling out silver out of these boxes like it's nothing, but I haven't been able to come even close to replicating any of it.

In fact until last night when I finally found one measly 40% Kennedy, I've been on a skunk streak to start the year. Now I'm at a stellar 1 40% out of 10 freaking boxes in 2012!

All in all I have gone through 20 boxes of halves so far. I have found only one 90% during that time - a 1964 Kennedy. How freaking sad is that? Pretty close to giving up...

[PhucilliJerry]

I don't know how you guys do it. I keep reading about everyone pulling out silver out of these boxes like it's nothing, but I haven't been able to come even close to replicating any of it.

In fact until last night when I finally found one measly 40% Kennedy, I've been on a skunk streak to start the year. Now I'm at a stellar 1 40% out of 10 freaking boxes in 2012!

All in all I have gone through 20 boxes of halves so far. I have found only one 90% during that time - a 1964 Kennedy. How freaking sad is that? Pretty close to giving up...

Sounds like a hot streak from my perspective. Been doing this for 13 months, with probably the last 10 months sorting no less than 1 box a week. I have (5) 40%ers and (1) 90%er to show for my efforts.
My success rate with dimes is better but falling off a cliff, started out at around 1.5 - 2 p/box, down to 1 in Oct/Nov/Dec, now I'm lucky if it is 0.5 p/box. 12 dimes in my last 21 boxes. Ugh.
Once had 17 straight skunk dime boxes. Almost quit, but glad I didn't.

Happy Hunting.

[dozer99]

Well, Skunked today. 4 rolls and nothing but brand new (1999 & newer) halves. But, and this is a big but (no pun intended) this is free money!!!! It just costs a little of my time.

My problem today was getting the coins right out of the box in the Brinks marked wrappers. Tomorrow, I will be at another bank and see what they have in customer wrapped rolls (this worked once, so until I get smacked in the face with a shovel, I'll keep doing it again and again).

On a brighter note, asked for any halves the cashier had at the grocery store tonight, and she didn't have any but asked the next isle over and they had 4 (one 67 40%). I've got to remember to do this everywhere.

Good luck and good hunting.

[Numismatist28]

Sounds like a hot streak from my perspective. Been doing this for 13 months, with probably the last 10 months sorting no less than 1 box a week. I have (5) 40%ers and (1) 90%er to show for my efforts.
My success rate with dimes is better but falling off a cliff, started out at around 1.5 - 2 p/box, down to 1 in Oct/Nov/Dec, now I'm lucky if it is 0.5 p/box. 12 dimes in my last 21 boxes. Ugh.
Once had 17 straight skunk dime boxes. Almost quit, but glad I didn't.

Happy Hunting.

How do you find it in you to keep going with such low ROI?

[PhucilliJerry]

How do you find it in you to keep going with such low ROI?

It isn't easy but I've got everything setup now where it requires minimal effort to acquire more than I can sort. At most a box takes me 20 mins with distractions, usually about 12 without, so time investment is minor. Plus, I'm not looking at this with current value, I'm working under the assumption my finds with be worth much more in the future, perhaps near future. At least that is what I tell myself.

[samwiii]

I figured it out...the time to prospect is when silver is in freefall! Got a box of halves and box of dimes today: got 4 Rosie's and a Merc from the dimes and 2 '64 Kennedy's, a Franklin, and 6 40% from the halves. It's days like these that keep me prospecting (and feeling better after purchasing a half-roll of ASE's after Friday's close.)

To address the low ROI, if you pick up 1 box of dimes a week and only find 1 silver dime per box, that represents an annual return of 41.6% at $28/ozt. A single 40% in a box of halves each week would represent a 43.10% annual return, and a single 90% half each week would be a 104.1% return. Those averages are quite easy to achieve, and of course, higher silver prices and/or better finds would represent higher returns. I used $28/ozt because that represents 20x face which is easier to calculate and represents a solid floor. Who wouldn't want an account with that kind of a return? Heck, my bank runs a 1% APY special and people come running for it! Add the "fun" factor of treasure hunting, killing time while relaxing and watching TV (Pawn Stars is on now) then how can you lose?

[sjlund]

I picked up my first $500 bag of halfs today. Not an amazing score, but at least I found something! I'll be headed back Wednesday to pick up the other $200 worth of halfs they had on-hand, plus a $500 bag of dimes!

[AguA]

I picked up my first $500 bag of halfs today. Not an amazing score, but at least I found something! I'll be headed back Wednesday to pick up the other $200 worth of halfs they had on-hand, plus a $500 bag of dimes!

Not trying to be funny or nothing, but what is special about a 1967 Kennedy half-dollar? I genuinely don't know.

[Merlin]

Not trying to be funny or nothing, but what is special about a 1967 Kennedy half-dollar? I genuinely don't know.

It's 40% silver, right?

check out this web site: http://www.coinflation.com/silver_coin_values.html

[sjlund]

Not trying to be funny or nothing, but what is special about a 1967 Kennedy half-dollar? I genuinely don't know.

http://www.coinflation.com/coins/196...lar-Value.html

[samwiii]

It's 40% silver, right?

Yes, 40% silver with an ASW of .1478 ozt. Per Coinflation, it has a current silver value of $5.02. If you find the 1970 version, it carries a numismatic value above the silver value since it was never released for general circulation (and yes, they do pop up from time to time.)

[AguA]

I get the dunce hat for today.

I'm so used to thinking in terms of 90%, that it didn't even register just then that even 40% is a plus when prospecting.

Thanks for the re-cage.

[sjlund]

I get the dunce hat for today.

I'm so used to thinking in terms of 90%, that it didn't even register just then that even 40% is a plus when prospecting.

Thanks for the re-cage.

Heh, like I said, not an amazing score but better than nothing!

[dozer99]

Haha! I must own every 1971 Kennedy on the planet after today! Big ol' Skunk. Oh well, there is always tomorrow. Now for the great dump ex- I'm sure the bank where I dump at really doesn't like me.

[sjlund]

I know all about the 1971's myself... the 1776-1976's too. The only years I was missing from my bag were 1975 and 1987.

[Merlin]

There are no dunces here. We're all learning. A $0.50 40% silver coin is worth more than 50 cents, though. I'd be very happy to find one in my pocket change I have not yet asked for boxes of coins at the bank. Have to tell you, though, that silver in my pocket change is a truly rare event -- maybe once a year on average -- and that nickels and pre-1982 pennies are the motherload for me. Isn't that sad?

P.S., I save the 1982 pennies, too, in a separate jar. For the day when I feel like weighing them <grin>

[arminius]

Isn't that sad?

Nope, it's thrifty since you are ahead, if barely, so keep on.

P.S., I save the 1982 pennies, too, in a separate jar. For the day when I feel like weighing them <grin>

As do I, pennies as well as nickels.

Just curious if any of you folks frequent other businesses other than banks for rolls? For example would a walgreens in a middle class neighborhood be a better prospect than a walgreens in a wealthy neighborhood?

[Silver Dragon]

I know all about the 1971's myself... the 1776-1976's too. The only years I was missing from my bag were 1975 and 1987.

There are no 1975 Quarters, Halves or Dollar coins. In 1975 they began releasing the 1776-1976 Bicentennial Coins. If I remember correctly, you can only tell the difference in the 1776-1976 Eisenhower Dollar. There are two varieties of this coin: the variety 1 is designed in low relief with bold lettering on the reverse and the variety 2 is designed in a sharper design with delicate lettering on the reverse. I believe the variety 1 was released in 1975 while the variety 2 was released in 1976.

As for 1987, these halves were only released in the mint sets and never for circulation. However, I've still come across a few in my prospecting. I usually tuck them away for my collection. No silver, but since their not really suppose to be in circulation, I hold on to them when they pop up.

[PhucilliJerry]

There are no dunces here. We're all learning. A $0.50 40% silver coin is worth more than 50 cents, though. I'd be very happy to find one in my pocket change I have not yet asked for boxes of coins at the bank. Have to tell you, though, that silver in my pocket change is a truly rare event -- maybe once a year on average -- and that nickels and pre-1982 pennies are the motherload for me. Isn't that sad?

P.S., I save the 1982 pennies, too, in a separate jar. For the day when I feel like weighing them <grin>

Don't waste your time weighing those. Just do the drop/bounce test. Take a known copper penny and a known zincoln and drop them each on edge, on a desk or floor or whatever. I use my wood pull out keyboard tray at my desk, works great. Once you get the sound down, you'll tear through that jar in no time, especially compared to weighing each one.

I tried to find a video but none of them do the sound justice. There is a "ring" to the copper pennies and flatness to the zincs. Unless your hearing isn't that great you should be able to pick it up quickly........

[samwiii]

I get the dunce hat for today.

I'm so used to thinking in terms of 90%, that it didn't even register just then that even 40% is a plus when prospecting.

Thanks for the re-cage.

There's yet a third way to make money prospecting for halves that most don't either know about or bother doing, Halves stopped being made for general circulation after 2001. If you edge-search like I do, generally halves from 2000 onward have bright, shiny edges vs the generally dull edges on the older clad garbage. When roll searching, I also check the dates on the bright and shiny edged halves. So far, I've put together several 2000-2011 sets with both P&D mints. Those sets have all sold on eBay for 2-3 times their face value because they simply don't "exist" in circulated condition unless put together in this manner. I've also found several "s" proof coins as a bonus. Just some food for thought if you want to maximize your profits from this activity.

[sjlund]

There are no 1975 Quarters, Halves or Dollar coins. In 1975 they began releasing the 1776-1976 Bicentennial Coins. If I remember correctly, you can only tell the difference in the 1776-1976 Eisenhower Dollar. There are two varieties of this coin: the variety 1 is designed in low relief with bold lettering on the reverse and the variety 2 is designed in a sharper design with delicate lettering on the reverse. I believe the variety 1 was released in 1975 while the variety 2 was released in 1976.

As for 1987, these halves were only released in the mint sets and never for circulation. However, I've still come across a few in my prospecting. I usually tuck them away for my collection. No silver, but since their not really suppose to be in circulation, I hold on to them when they pop up.

Interesting, thanks for the info!

[sjlund]

Grabbed a small bag of halfs yesterday ($200), nothing worthwhile. I have a $500 bag of dimes from the bank's public coin counter coming tomorrow though!

[sjlund]

Stopped in at a different bank over my lunch hour to see what they had - asked for halfs and they said they had about $250 worth but it was all loose in one bag. I picked up $30 worth, suspecting the whole time that the tellers go through their halfs and then dump the clad in the bag - she smirked a bit when she asked what I was looking for. Sure enough, no silver. I did get a decent looking 2003 though.

[dozer99]

This stuff is still out there!!!! Just had my most amazing Haul yet. Went to "a" bank at lunch and in a hurry. Asked the usual question and the very kind lady tells me that she doesn't have any half's but she will ask the other tellers. An even kinder teller at the end of the line comes over with 3 rolls and 19 loose. Asks me if I want them all and of course I say yes. As she is counting out the loose ones, I can see 66's and 65's. I keep my poker face on and she puts them in an envelope for me. Hurry back to work and tear into them. Total haul: (24) 40% and (1) 90% Kennedy halfs.

"stinkin banana got in the way".

[samwiii]

This stuff is still out there!!!! Just had my most amazing Haul yet. Went to "a" bank at lunch and in a hurry. Asked the usual question and the very kind lady tells me that she doesn't have any half's but she will ask the other tellers. An even kinder teller at the end of the line comes over with 3 rolls and 19 loose. Asks me if I want them all and of course I say yes. As she is counting out the loose ones, I can see 66's and 65's. I keep my poker face on and she puts them in an envelope for me. Hurry back to work and tear into them. Total haul: (24) 40% and (1) 90% Kennedy halfs.

"stinkin banana got in the way".

You are dead on! One of my employees was all excited today - 89 silver coins in the bag he just picked up with 57 of them 90%. Needless to say, I was jealous as heck but happy for him.

[sjlund]

Picked up my $500 dime bag this afternoon. Came up with 2 roosies...


...and 20 decoy Canadians.

[Heads_Up]

Hang onto those Canadians. I hear they're actually worth something now.

[larphillips]

Picked up a $500 box of half dollars from the bank... shotgun, bank rolled all nice and neat. Absolutely NOTHING in it. Not even any 40% or a stray proof. Nothing.

Now I've gotta buy a bunch of new tubes and reroll all of these. Bleh.

[samwiii]

Picked up a $500 box of half dollars from the bank... shotgun, bank rolled all nice and neat. Absolutely NOTHING in it. Not even any 40% or a stray proof. Nothing.

Now I've gotta buy a bunch of new tubes and reroll all of these. Bleh.

You sure you need to reroll them? All of my dump banks have coin counters and don't want them rolled; they even break them open if they are. Save yourself some time and money and just bring them in loose.

[voodoo1951]

I gave up prospecting thru bank rolls about a year ago, when I was informed that a majority of bank boxes come from Brinks and you can bet your bippy they have been pre sorted at the facility...even more so now that the price of Ag is hovering in the mid $30 range...just think about it for a minute. Why would a company as large as Brinks not invest in a sorting machine? They make em' for sorting 90% & 40% Ag too and I'm sure that they pay for themselves in a week or two. The only luck I have ever had is right at the tellers window or a mom and pop store where a kid raided grammy's coffee can and bought a candy bar or a soda with the coins she has been saving for 40+ years...been skunked too many times to even bother with full bank boxes anymore but I still ask the tellers to scan thru their racks, (ok now, get your mind out of the gutter) or if they have any hand rolled Halves or Dimes in their cash drawer. No hand rolled stuff, pass. I really think Brinks is using a Ryedale on pennies these days too, as the percentage in my area is way down from a couple of years ago. I like free money as much as the next guy but it just ain't happening for me these days. Perhaps if you live out in the sticks you might get lucky. Otherwise, forget-about -it...

[sjlund]

Had a nice day today! After work I stopped off at a small branch bank and asked for any loose halfs they had - they only had $4.50 worth, but I grabbed them anyway. As the teller slid them into a bank envelope I could hear silver. They turned out to be 2 40%'ers. As long as I was there I picked up the balance of my $100 bill in dime rolls. These were not so good - every end had a 2011-D showing. I took them with a smile anyway, not wanting to cause the teller any more work than necessary, and besides, she had already walked around the whole branch and collected me the halfs which included silver.

I decided to stop at another bank on the way home to trade the dime rolls. I told the teller straight up that I collected coins and that my bank gave me a 19 brand new rolls of dimes - not good for collectors! I asked to trade them in for the oldest looking rolls she had in the vault. The 19 rolls she gave me turned out 2 nice roosies!

[shyestsparks]

Well, I did my first 16 rolls of halves, I got 1 40% kennedy.

[Lawrence]

I've had poor luck in general searching teller trays and CWRs. Two 40% over the course of 3+ months. But I did get an ASE from my local bank for $1 a month ago.