Well as a 12 year old i can't drive or walk to the bank and back with a whole box of coins so i have to ask parents to drive me. Recently it's become a hassel to trade coins and there getting REALLY ANNOYED. They also dont think it's worth the time because of the little amount of coins that i keep. I average about only 1 35% a box and 1 40% a box. Have never found 1 silver dime or a silver quarter ...... I have been thinking about switching to bills becuase there easier to exchange and there MIGHT be more keepers. For those of you who search bills im most likely going to search 1 dollar bills. My parents can lend me up to $500, if i got that much in one dollar bills would it be worth it? Would i find anything? Also, is it as profitable as coins? I know to save anything thats a star note but dont know what year is the cut off (1964 for dimes and quarters) Also are there any one dollar gold and silver certificates still in circulation? About how much money would i have to search in order to obtain one. Would two dollars work? The person im asking is very close to my family so she wouldnt mind.
Star notes are about 1 in every 100 or 200. This is debatable, but I would say not necessarily every one is a keeper, such as those from high print runs and in bad condition. Radar notes should be about 1 in every 10,000, but in reality probably much less due to others pulling them. Silver certs can be found, but not very often, and those that are found are usually in pretty bad shape (but not always). Twos provide the best chance of getting notes that aren't FRNs (i.e. Red seal USNs), as well as low print run star notes, so I would suggest searching these if you can. In the end, it's your hobby, so it's up to you to decide what to search, how to search, and what to keep . It doesn't hurt to try a batch or two just to get a feel of if it's worth the time, or even feasible for you.
There is a shop in Portland out on McLoughlin Blvd. called "Coins On The Boulevard" that you may want to visit sometime. Owner and his wife are very nice people and are very helpful. They are always willing to answer questions and help younger collectors. Perhaps they can assist you in making a decision as to what direction would be best for you. I always stop in and see them when I'm in the Portland area and often see them at shows. They have a good selection of coins and they make coin buying fun. Check them out.:yes:
There will be a small coin show in Clackamas this Sunday the 9th where you also may find some answers to your questions. It's at Denny's Restaurant, 15815 SE 82nd DR. Clackamas, Oregon from 10:00 am. - 4:00pm. Hope this helps.
Coins and paper currency collecting is a bit different. You will find that coins are actually a bit easier to collect. But if you like a challenge feel free to try out paper money. As a starter I would suggest buying straps of dollar bills from your bank. This would be the same as coin roll hunting, what you want to look for is interesting serial numbers. Repeaters, binary, ladders and many other things. The main problem is a lot of stores as least in my experience don't deal as much in paper as much as coins. Paper bills are also more condition sensitive than coins and you will have to grade each and every one very closely. In either case enjoy which hobby you pursue.
Ask if your bank has new straps of 1's or 2's. Most tellers will be happy to give them away as they tend to stick together and make counting difficult. Also stars, radars, repeaters, etc will be crisp from a new strap. As far as circulated straps, I've found lot's of '60's and 70's notes that people had to spend due to the tough times these last few years. But that has slowed down lately. Good hunting.
Have you thought of searching through cent boxes? They are easier to get usually and knock on wood I have never had a box that didn't produce at least one wheat(the one that only had one wheat at least had a 1926). I have gotten fabulously lucky with some and found hundreds of wheats, including some 70-80 1943 steel cents that were in AU-BU condition that someone must have dumped a collection of. I have found IHC's as early as 1882, nearly every date of wheat from 1909-58. Lately I search mainly nickels and dimes - but cents are my fallback in case I cannot get the former.
currency is a lot of fun, I agree with scottishmoney, wheats are a joy, I also love foreign and US $1 and $2
