I love metal detecting and said that I would never coin roll hunt. The problem is, it is winter here in Mass. and I can not metal detect right now. I am going off the wall with nothing to do. Stir crazy would about cover it. I am leaning towards trying a roll or two. Please point me in the direction of what would be the best to try with the hopes of finding something worth while. I just love finding coins in the ground.
well I have just about stopped myself. But back ten years ago I did pretty good in halves and cents I guess.
Rolls of quarter eagles are always good. If you're looking to occupy a lot of time while tying up minimal money, cents are probably best. If you're looking for cash profit -- hmm. I focused mostly on halves, looking for silver, but they weren't as picked-over at the time. Quarters have been dry for decades, because they circulate heavily, and much of the silver was picked out by the end of the 1980 surge. We're also drowning in State/ATB quarters at this point. Dimes will turn up some silver, but not much (maybe one coin per $100?). Nickels may be fruitful, both in older dates (even an occasional Buffalo) and silver war nickels. Then again, since I haven't been actively roll-hunting for a while, if you just read the threads here, you'll know as much as I do.
If you find yourself getting frequent headaches, stop searching rolls of any coin smaller than a quarter. Chris
I'm not "anti-cent". I just don't collect them, and I never said that others should not collect them. I merely said that people who get frequent headaches should avoid searching rolls and rolls and rolls of small coins. Chris
Definitely nickels... and if you have the resources, half dollars. If you have patience, dimes. Cents are good too, but I've found it best to sample lots of banks in search of dumped hoards, as opposed to getting boxes as I often do with nickels, and (almost always) halves. I've managed to find a complete set of Jefferson Nickels out of circulation (took me 20 months), also have found 150 Buffalos, 10 V nickels, 340 War Nickels, and 48 proofs. Nickels also afford you the opportunity to collect a couple of modern coins which are quite hard to find in circulation - the 2009-P and 2009-D. I'm fortunate to live in an area where the 2009-D coins were released, but they're very difficult to find in most of the country. The 2009-Ps seem to be universally hard to locate.
It is all trial and error. You'll find your nitch. Some people swear by cents, others dimes, others halves. Everyone has their "go to" so to speak. Universally, people seem to agree quarters are the ones to avoid.
I have been roll hunting for a couple months now. Almost entirely cents. I had quite a day recently. Had just a little extra time before work. Stopped and bought just 4 rolls. 2 were all wheat and within 1 of those were 8 indian heads from 1880 to 1904. Id never even seen one aside from pictures. Thats what really got me hooked lol.
Unfortunately i had headed to work when i found them. But the next day i was right back! Nothing quite as cool, but all in all that bank ive noticed is where i find the better rolls.