Yesterday I went to one of the banks I usually deal with and asked for rolls of halves. Right away the teller said wouldn't you rather have the new dollar coins. No, I said, just halves. She said your the first person that has asked for them in years. She had to have someone go to a vault to get some for me. I ended up getting 10 rolls of them. Again, asked are you sure you don't want any of the new dollars. I asked why are they pushing those things. She said no big response like they were told and now have tons of them. I went home and ran through all 10 rolls of halves. Every one looked like someone dragged it behind his car for several miles. Practically all were in the 70's and as usual, numerous Bicentennials. I use them as tips in restaurants, pay to get in flea markets, etc. Most stores don't want them. Conductors on our commuter trains don't want them. Can't find vending machines that will take them. Lots of dirty looks from people when trying to use them. I've been doing this for many years and now it's time to give up. No more halves from the banks for me. Anyone else having fun with halves like me?
I used one at Burger King, and didn't get much of a reaction. I'll need to spend more I guess. Getting more is the problem, lol. My bank hardly gets them. Phoenix
They are quite hard to spend, because they are big....but you should have seen the reaction I got from trying to spend some commerative GB 5 pounds a couple of days ago !
I dont find it too difficult to spend them ,usually only spend $2 or less at at a time. Yes some cashiers do a double take because they get them so rarely but i havn't experianced any real hostility or annoyence.
Any Federal Reserve Banks in your area? Try them for rolls of any denomination you are interested in. Clinker
I have a Fed res bank within 5-6 mi's from my home. The building is huge and intimidating, with those concrete car bomb barriers surrounding it. Clinker, are you saying anyone can just go inside (like a regular bank) and ask for half dollar rolls? I'm going to try doing that next time I’m in that part of town and will post the results.
I also no longer get rolls from the bank. First, they don't normally have any and won't order them. Second, it seems that in the last couple of years, all of them have already been picked clean of any interesting coins. Third, they are difficult to get rid of. The bank doesn't want them back and most cashiers seem to make a fuss. They are still good for tips and the Church collection, but that's about all. It's a shame because it's a great design and a nice large coin.
I also have cut way down on trying to get rolls of half dollars from banks. Every once in a great while the mood strikes me and I attempt a purchase. But 99% of the time the answer is no.
Can't get the new dollars here. I've done rolls of halfs for years and never had a problem spending them. I usually use them for small purchases and tips and try not to overdue it. In general no more than three to any store at one time.
