Okay, I found a LCS recently and poked around. I noticed, and was tempted by, the junk coin boxes. I didn't go through them, but I might next time. My question is, is it worth it? I already have my own bunch of junk coins, why would I need more?
I really don't know how to answer this question. I can't read your mind and I'm not you, so why would I (or anyone else) know whether or not you need more junk coins? If the bin interests you, take a look.
I firmly believe that dealers junk boxes are the best value in numismatics. Where else can you hold history in your hands for pocket change?
Junk boxes also have hidden treasures. I have found many coins in junk boxes that I paid a quarter for and the coin ends up being worth 15 plus dollars. You never know what you can find in there and the coins are not always junk.
Like Victor said, you never know what you'll find. Bu it really depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for world coins to fill out a low grade "one from every country" set, for example, you should be rewarded. If you're looking for hidden treasure, though, you're likely to be disappointed. You're unlikely to cherry pick any quality finds among US coins. You might in world coins — some dealers give short shrift to world coins, and will sometimes unintentionally dump nice coins into their junk boxes. I've found a few keepers that way (a 1965 Canadian half in prooflike BU comes to mind). But don't expect many like that.
When I was younger, I used to search junque boxes regularly (I prefer the classier spelling ). I loved pulling out different stuff, taking it home, and trying to look it up. Turns out it was a cheap way to learn. And the more you learn, the better you'll be at finding valuable stuff in them. I have a nice collection of Pre-1850 European minors that I got primarily in junque boxes. Not always the best condition, but I learned a heck of a lot of about German States and European History. It also got me started on collecting Canadian Pre-Confederation (Breton) tokens. My best finds were a 1746 George II LIMA sixpence, a couple 18th century contemporary counterfeit half pennies and a rare Canadian Blacksmith token that I traded for a Massachusetts Half Cent. But the real value was the knowledge I gained by researching all of the stuff.
The point I was making is, what makes it worth my time to even look. I have junk coins already, so do junk coin boxes just have more of the same, or might I find something good? I'm not expecting to strike it rich.
A person I know found an 42 over 41 dime in a dealers junk box, so it could be worth your while to explore junkers. I do, but I ain't found anything substantial (like I mentioned above) but I have had some really nice silver dollars and quarters for reasonable prices. Coins with good honest wear and original skin are fun to collect. Almost makes me feel like a kid again, when I used to pick stuff like this out of the change.......
I have to admit that I am a junk box junkie. "Wow, I've never seen one of these before", "Wow, I've never seen a coin from this country/island/city", "Wow that is neet". That being said, I've seen dealers with boxes of 10/$1, 5/$1 even $1 each with little difference in the coins. OTOH I have seen $5 and $10 boxes with some really interesting stuff.
