Re: the 1000-coin bags from the Mint. Is it actually just 1000 coins loose in a bag? Won't the coins get banged around a lot?
Yes, the coins are loose. Yes, they will "bang around" somewhat, but it's not as bad as you think. Coins do go from MS-70 to MS-63/65 pretty fast, but there are usually plenty of gem coins still to be found in bags; even those bags that have been around for decades. The worst coins will make MS-60, but these are rare in my experience.
That's why we have the term "baggy" indicating MS coins that have digs and gouges in them from banging against each other. And of course the more the bags are moved, the worse it is for the coins.
I've bought a few bags of State Quarters, not long after I 1st got into collecting and then thoguht/wondered the same thing.. But I thought it was cool to have a "Whole Bag" of coins from the U.S. Mint Unopened... I'd still like to have an orignal bag that Silver Dollars came in... 500 or a 1000, not picky... Then slowly fill it with said Dollars...
