Coin buyer- I see what you are trying to say, but, picking money up off the ground when there is no one in sight who could have possibly lost it is not abnormal. Numerous times I have seen people in checkout lines in front of me drop a note or credit card, and I bring this to their attention. But, if you see a lone $20 note on the sidewalk, it would be pretty stupid to bring it to the attention of law enforcement. A wallet- you would probably be able to return to the owner yourself, and something like a camera you would probably have to turn in to LE. And, paddyman, congratulations on your find! I hope that you find an interesting mint error to use the funds on.
I have been on the other side of the spectrum a couple times. One time the teller told me that I did not count out enough money for the box of halves I was buying. I thought I had given it to them but I figured I probably left 100 dollars at the house. Needless to say when I realized what happened I sped right to the bank just in time before closing.
About 30 years ago I stopped at the local tavern on Friday about 5. Mostly local businessmen and tradesmen. Bellied up to the bar, looked down at a wad of bills. $2500! Asked the local realtor/County Executive next to me if he dropped some money. Nope. Asked up and down the bar. A couple guys said yes, $10-20 guesses. So I did a count right on the bar. Still trying to figure out what to do when a local farmer comes running in the front door. He’s obviously in major distress. The bartender listens to him tell his tale of lost cash. We nod at each other and I asked him how much. Winner! He bought the bar a round, gave me $50 and left a happier man. Camden,NY Good Life Tavern. Realtor was John D Plumley. RIP. We were friends till he died and he told this story many times
Small town life. I was the insurance agent for the tavern & several of the patrons. Mr Plumley always took my calls and no subject was off the table.
This will probably be considered cheating/hedging one's chances, but use to moonlight as a doorman at a Irish Bar in my hometown, which was always packed to capacity on weekends due to having live entertainment/cover bands. Almost needless to say, "happy" customers were always dropping coins and cash, etc... My personal "all-time record" took place on one especially crowded Saturday night (which also happened to have a large wedding party in attendance). As I was making my rounds, I happened to spot a pile of ten $20 dollar bills near the bar. Fortunately for me, nobody had yet spotted the bills, thanks in part to the capacity of the crowd and the lights being down low the moment I happened to be strolling by
Back in 1981 I saw what I thought was a dollar bill in the cellafaine of a cigarette pack in the ground. It was only half a dollar, which I kept. Since I've watched for any bits of bills. Here's the collection so far.