I just got back from the local B&M, where I picked up four coins (plus a sterling silver ring for my girlfriend.) Paid silver melt for everything, which got me to thinking: What are the coins that I will ALWAYS buy at silver melt? These are coins that might not have much numismatic value over silver right now, but I feel SHOULD at some point down the road. Something that is also readily available in the "junk silver" drawers... It might be a particular year/mintmark combo (in the case of the 1955D and 1937S Washington Quarters listed below) or it might be a particular series in a particular grade. Feel free to list other stuff you will ALWAYS buy when you see it! Hoping this will lead to an interesting list... What I buy: AU/BU Walking Liberty Halves that don't look cleaned (picked up two 1941 D today) Barber coins in Fine or above (still can usually find these hiding around) 1955D and 1937S Washington Quarters (I always find some of these hiding in the junk trays) 1945 S Micro S Mercury Dimes (have almost a full roll of them by now) BU/Toned silver Roosevelt Dimes AU/BU Silver Jefferson Nickels
I know what you mean, I cannot seem to pass up commemoratives if I find them in the junk bin, I have some real basket case booker t's carvers, and columbians.
I forgot to mention that I picked up two BU 1955D Washington Quarters as well as the WL Halves...plus, there were probably two more rolls of BU quarters that I might have gotten for melt if I had the money...mostly 30s/40s... Oh well, can't buy them all. That's why I have to pare it down to just a few dates/mints...
And I don't ever see many commemoratives (early) in the junk bin here, but perhaps I might back in Salt Lake City. I'd probably get them, too, if they were selling at melt! I REALLY want a Vermont and a Connecticut...lol...but THOSE aren't going for melt any time soon...
I buy Walkers and Barbers.... lately Ive been able to pick up both (VG) for about 20% under melt. Of course, I'll add a few higher grades along with the "junk."
So you only buy Maple Leafs? This is in the coin chat sub-forum, not the bullion investing sub-forum.
15 years ago, your could find AG Seated liberty stuff, AU Booker T's, VF Columbians, 1909-O 25c, 1913-15 50c and other semi-key barbers in the melt bins (at 3.5 x face mind you). As recently three years ago, you could buy genuine China Fatman and Junk dollars at melt or slightly above (When silver was $13), Now a nice XF is and easy $100 coin. I do foreign now, but Germany, Austria and Swiss is strictly for the melt pile. For US, even semi-key stuff is drying up. All in all, you've got a pretty good working theory going.....
