I've been wondering about these for a while... #1: I've looked through about 15 boxes of pennies so far, and maybe 5 have been Brinks and the rest CWI. In the Brinks boxes, I rarely find more than 3 wheat cents, but in the CWI boxes I often more than 7 or 8. Why is this? Is it just coincidence, or is there a reason? #2: Does anyone know where I can find a list of foreign coins made from more than 40% silver (just old issues, not modern commemoratives). I've found a list of Canadian silver, and I know the U.S. silver, but I can't find a list of world silver anywhere. Thanks!
Go the the library and consult the Standard Catalog of World Coins. As you go through each volume, from the 17th-20th Centuries, jot down the ID information for each silver coin. Start with the 1031AH (1620-21 Gregorian) Armenian Dirhem of Mustafa I, KM#10, in the 17th Century edition; and just keep going until you complete your list with the 2000 Zambian 20,000 Kwacha, KM#93, in the 20th Century edition. (Of course you can elect to stop at any year you choose.) With 120,000+ different coins pictured, compiling the list shouldn't take more than a decade or two.
Hmmm... maybe I should just stick to U.S. and Canadian junk silver! I didn't know there were that many. That book sounds nice though. How much does it cost to actually purchase the book?
eBay has them for various prices, the one from 1900 to 2000 is currently up for bid around $12, several are listed. There are also many that are listed for far more.
Each volume, there are 5 now, cost between $50 - $70 each if you buy them new. Used, older editions can be purchased usually for $20 each or so.
There is also the DVD version of the 19th, 20th and 21st century books. I just picked it up for a very good price. (Less than the publishers price, or the special price they had on one of the staffs blogs. I got it for $75 and the dealer still has a few more copies. And no it is NOT a pirated edition. And I have no financial interest in this information. The DVD version is pretty good but there are some things that could make it better. One advantage is that so far the pictures on the DVD ARE better than the ones in the book, and they can be enlarged about 300% without degrading the image.)
the number of coins in a box is about the same for the same vinders in nickels (brinks) there is usually 1 or 2 silver nickels and the rest that i kee3p usually only veries 3 or 4 a box
