I throw my "non-numismatic" coins (change) in a nightstand drawer, after I've looked through them, of course. the other day, I decided to count them, just to clear them out. I figured there must be at least 30 bucks' worth in there. It came out to almost $74.00 , and that's not counting the pennies! Surprised me, I had no idea there was that much in there ( It's a deep drawer ). Time to hit the coinstar machine, and then figure out what to do with it. Sometimes it's good to forget about your change. It can be nice surprise when you add it up. Recommended only for those times when you have nothing better to do
I have a 5 gallon water jug that both the wife and I throw our change in. Every once in a while we will cash it all in and use it for a car payment. It is so nice to have a month off of that payment. We have also used it for a weekend get away with the family to a waterpark resort.
I've been throwing my change into a jar since high school (about 5 years now). I'm thinking its at around a hundred bucks or so right now. One of these days I plan on trading in all these coins for a nice single coin that I can add to my collection.
I have a gallon pickle jar that I throw my change into every afternoon. When full, it holds about $300-$400 worth of coins. My "Mad Money". This is why I can do things like go out and pick up a 14D Lincoln cent on a whim (needed it, got a good deal, so now it sits in my collection. 2 more to go) without my wife giving me the cold shoulder for a couple days.
Man, calling coins Non-numismatic without a thorough prior search can be a BIG mistake ! Recently an AU58+ 1992 CAM cent found in pocket change sold for $12,500. I happen to search my change and use those that are only worth face value to trade for other coins to search. But I have been really lucky when searching and I urge everyone to take really good looks at all their coins before selling them.
I take a vacation every few years on the change that I accumulate. Recently one of my best friends bought a new truck with his change. He had apparently been saving all of his change for over twenty years.
The wife and I save all of our change. On 10/1/01 we started a 5 gallon water jug and on 5/2/09 we traded it in for $2938.14 and went on a family vacation to DisneyWorld. We are working on the next jug currently.
