For those of us who roll search, we usually look for coins that are 50+ years old. Can you imagine that in 50 or 60 years that people will be roll searching for coins of today that are common in circulation? They will be looking for pre-99 quarters, Lincoln Memorial cents and pre-04 nickels. Its hard to believe.....
When I returned to roll after a long haitus, I found that once I pulled 10 or so as near MS cents as I could find of the 2000's, 90's, 80's, that I was hoarding copper. But there are some recent varieties that I actively search for. The 92 D CAM, the 97-00 WAMs and of course the 88 reverse 89 as well as whatever errors I might happen across. Nickles, I stop at about 1964, although it should probably end up being 58 after I finish sorting the latest box. Dimes I just look fopr errors or upgrades for a circulated set as I have yet to find any silver since I came back into it. Quarters, I don't even bother. The state set is available in uncirculated condition for not a lot of money and again, not finding silver. Halves are nearly impossible for me to get. It is a lot of trouble to order a box and then the rolls may be marked or whatever, indicating that someone has already been through them. My idea of searching is to try and look where others may not have, hoping to find something good. gary
The coin collecting thing, especially in America may be a thing that will fade as there is no longer a middle class that has the leisure and the income to collect coins. As bullion rises coins tend to lose numismatic premiums. for a 32-s quarter to lose its numismatic premium silver would have to rise to about 500 an ounce. That may sound preposterous right now, but the price of silver had at one time increased almost 50 fold with 16 years.
With the hobby as strong as it is today, I'd say there's hope for the future. The percentage of the middle class may shrink, but the population is growing. A smaller percentage of a larger number will still mean quite a few middle class left. Just a lot more who are in the lower class. Many of whom very likely wouldn't collect if they all won the lottery and were all in the upper class anyway. As for silver hitting 500 some day, I agree it will happen eventually. If it happened tomorrow, what would people do? Do you collect because you like coins and want to take care of them for future generations? Or do you live for money? I have bills too. But if all I was worried about was owning fiat currency and paying bills, I guess I wouldn't collect anything. I agree with you that many will go to the melting pots. Making the ones that are saved that much more rare. To the OP, I have to ask what people in 50 years will be searching for out of today's change? I can barely understand roll searching to find that rare silver coin that's been thrown back into circulation. What's circulating now that couldn't be purchased for almost face value in 50 years? Keep in mind the mintages are not in the hundred thousands anymore. They're in the hundred billions! Big difference. It will be too easy to buy the quarter you're looking for, for 0.50 on ebay.
Agreed. Kind of like now - you get worn nickel, hope it is something good(or even in the 50's) and it seems like it is always 1964. The will probably thing the same thing.
Also factor in all the Baby boomer retiring on fixed income. I am one of these, still many years till retirement, but now that the kids are out of college and married I have discretionary income. When I retire on a fixed income will I plop down $100+ for a coin(s)? Who knows, depends on my financial situation at the time. That's one of the reasons I want to get some of the more expensive purchases out of the way before I retire.
