Buying junk silver from Provident, JmBullion, Apmex, etc.

These sites often sell in quantities in $1 face increments. I am curious what you've gotten when buying randomly like this.

Provident mentions:
Year of Issue: Randomized, orders may include pre-1965 coins and/or 90% modern silver proofs from 1992 to today
Composition: 0.715 troy ounces of 90% silver
Face Value: $1 USD

So has anyone gotten--god forbid--silver state quarters? Has anyone gotten modern silver proofs--hurray!--which command a bigger price than just its silver content?

In these randomized lots that could be either dimes, quarters, or halves, what did you get?

JMBullion WILL NOT send modern coins, only pre 1965. However, they hint you could get old stuff. But has anyone gotten Barber coinage, for instance?

In this product listing you have the chance to purchase 90% Silver Coins from JM Bullion, available with a total face value of $1 (USD) and consisting of US 10-cent, 25-cent, and 50-cent pieces. These coins were all struck prior to 1964, the point at which the United States Mint adopted cupro-nickel and other metallic alloy combinations for circulation coinage.

There are many possible designs you could receive in these 90% silver coins. The earliest design possibilities come from the so-called Barber Coinage of the United States

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I would assume large dealers like this would not try to, say, shortchange their buyers by sending slick Barber dimes that are 20% underweight. I'd think they rely too much on their reputation and on repeat business

Modern stuff (like silver proof state quarters) will have the advantage of no weight lost to wear, but I would expect all proof items to be impaired from multiple trips through coin counters and packaging machinery.

Since coins can only lose weight in circulation, not gain weight, I try whenever possible to buy on the basis of weight, but sell on the basis of count (face value).

Specifics will have to come from folks who've bought these lots. So far, I haven't.

 

I always get quarters on the dimes, quarters or halves deal. Kind of lame but to be expected.

 

What’s wrong with silver state quarters...?

 

I buy from Provident quite often and usually end up with pre-64 quarters. I get a few from the 30s to 50s with most in the 60 s. Rarely do I get a Barber but I’ve gotten a couple. I’ve gotten one silver proof quarter. It caught me off guard when I was sorting.

I will say that I always count what I ordered from them as I’ve had a few times where I’ve been short a quarter or two. When I call they have sent it out promptly, no questions asked.

My other source for junk silver is eBay but only if I pair it with generous Ebucks. APMEX used to be cheapest but they recently raised their price by about $10 a roll for quarters. Now Coin Exchange BIN or an auction is the best bet. Without Ebucks this isn’t a good option, though.

Minimal buying from other large dealers except SD Bullion. They are pretty competitive on many items.

 

My problem with silver state quarters is they aren't very well known. It is slightly tricky to tell which ones are 90% and which ones are plated proofs. The s mint mark is easy but only weight tells you which is 90%. The average person can't just look at and say "this is silver" whereas with regular pre65 stuff we all can. I want easily resellable junk, not something that requires an explanation. I think coin shops think the same way and therefore would be less interested in a state quarter vs a regular Washington quarter.