look what I got for $30

they get away with it for a time, then word gets around and they go belly up. That's the crap that leads to legislation like that adopted in MN for bullion transactions. That legislation led to many coin dealers out of state refusing to sell to MN residents. Allowing it to continue will only lead to similar legislation in other states, following the MN model, the first of its kind all it takes is enough complaints and big enough claims to get the attention of the AG in any given state.

 

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Nice Find!! This reminds me of a couple years back. I stopped in at a 7-11 to buy some drinks. Used a 20 to buy drinks and the Indian cashier asked me if I wanted these dollar coins for change that some kid gave him a few minutes before I came in. Turned out they kid paid $20 in Silver Eagles to buy candy with(probably stole from his Dad's stash. So I gave him a $20 and he gave me the 20 in Silver Eagles. I was blown away.

 

I think I may prefer the 20 eagles for $20 vs my $30 in half dollars. Which has more silver?

 

I was just saying there are times when you come in at the right place at the right time. It's also one of the best feelings when you are a collector to have. I don't think the cashier really understood what he had. If he did he would have bought it for himself. I think the price of silver at that time was around $30 an ounce.

 

My $0.02 about the bank vs. pawn shop examples.

A bank deals in money, not bullion or collectibles. If I bring a silver eagle to a bank to exchange it for currency, I would expect nothing more than $1. The same thing goes for silver halves, but even more so since they were actually intended for circulation. If the teller was knowledgeable, I would consider it a kindness if they advised against such exchanges, but I wouldn't fault them if they didn't. Furthermore, a bank will take those silver coins and pass them on at face value. (Unless of course an employee spots them and pulls them out, depending of course on bank policy.)

Pawn shops are not banks. I fully expect them to buy at a discount and sell for profit. I don't expect that a pawn shop would ever buy a silver coin at face value, and then turn around and let it go at face value. When they realize a customer does not know the full value of their coins (or other goods) and they knowingly make a lowball offer, they lose my respect and my business. Not that I do any business with any of the pawn shops around here anyway, I'm just sayin...