I will be going to Canada later this year. What is the likelihood of obtaining any rolls or even loose 50 cent pieces from banks in Canada? Also what is the best way to ask for pre-1987 (pre-Loonie) dollar coins?
Forgot about that part of the question. The big question is what will you do with all of the Canadian halves after you sort them? Canadian banks won't take them unless you're a customer, and US banks usually don't take foreign change (only bills). So are you going to try to spend them all on your trip? But your other problem is Canadian halves haven't been produced for the public in 15 years (only available through the mint) so I highly doubt banks would have rolls.
Thank you for this information. My plan was to spend the duplicates, like I do in the USA. The USA has not minted halves for circulation (also available only from the mint) in 18 years, but can often get them (sometimes in rolls and sometimes loose) at banks. I even obtain some from the NIFC production years (I have even found 9 so far this year) and I am a small time CRH.
In all fairness, though, when "not intended for circulation" halves are minted in the US, they still get out there in large numbers. For instance, the 2018 Half Dollar, clad version, was produced in approximately 11 million pieces. That's why you can find them at nearly any bank. I'm doubtful the same could be said about Canadian halves, but it's worth a try, I suppose.
