Just thought I would share this story with all of you as a reminder to keep your eyes open when standing in the teller line at the bank. At the bank that I bank with, the tellers have their change trays right up front next to the teller window. Every time I go to the teller window, I always make sure to take a peek at what is in their change tray....with extra special attention on the half dollar section. Today, I spied my second ever silver half in a tray. The first story was kinda interesting. I had been collecting rolls of half dollars so I could search through them for silver ones. After going back and forth between this bank asking for any new rolls of half dollars, a few of the tellers asked me what I was doing. I proceeded to tell them and explain to them the value of what is out there. As I was telling them my story, I stopped short and said, "For example", here is 50 cents, can I have that half dollar as I pointed one out. The teller kindly obliged and I explained to her that this was a 40% silver half dollar with a few dollars worth of silver in it. Her jaw dropped! Today there was no fancy story. I just spied this silver half and asked for a $1's worth of half dollars.....specifically the first two half dollars. I then just walked out and pocketed my prize. Always keep your eyes open, as these are very easy to spot when placed next to their copper clad counterparts. You will quickly be able to notice the difference. If you don't know the difference then find a silver half dollar, a silver clad half and a regular copper clad half and put them all together. Being able to distinguish the three types may land you a silver prize. Good luck and thanks for letting me share my story.
I don't have to go to any special lengths to get silver coins at my bank. I've been doing business with the same branch for 25 years. They all know that I collect coins, and whenever anything interesting comes in, they set it aside and give me a call. Chris
I think if they had asked me what I was doing I wouldn't have been able to resist messing with them. I might have said thats classified information or told them I was melting them down to forge parts for my spaceship I was building in the garage. Guy~
In the rare instance if I'm asked why I need so many rolls of this or that, I just tell them I use them for playing cards, that we bet with nickels or pennies. If it's halves or dollar coins I've asked for, I say they are for gifts or I just love them and save them when I can find the old ones. Nothing fancy. I don't order boxes of coins to search so I don't need any special excuse for a huge request as I don't go through that many. Congrats Joe!
I was buying twenty dollars of rolled cents at my local branch. And over time they began to think I was crazy, so I told them that I was looking for wheat backs. Once they knew that they handed me 4 rolls that said "wheaties" on them. And once I opened them all up they were all full of BU 1950's.
Man, now that is a nice haul! My bank knows I collect, and will hold things for me. Thought of asking them if they would call, but haven;t yet. Don't want to push it you know. Regards, Stan
The story isnt complete yet. you havent told how you put it in a nice envelope and sent it to your buddy spock
Good story Joe. I need to start asking my source (bank teller) for rolls of halves instead of cents. I usually bring my 8-year-old son with me, and we say the coins are for him (which is true since he will eventually get them). Congrats on the silver finds. TC
