My boss, the owner of the business I work for is responsible for getting me into this exciting new field that is coin collecting, or in my case, silver hunting. I just recently (with in the the last 4 months.) started looking at coins, and learning what is of value. 1909 SVDB, etc etc. I also found out that 1964 and earlier quarters, dimes and halves have a 90% silver content. Finding that out really fueled my fire because the boss is always looking at the gold and silver market to see what an ounce is going for etc etc. When I first started working for him a couple years ago I remember seeing silver as low as about $9 an ounce. Then all the sudden it was $15, then 20, now damn near $30 and ounce! That is when I decided to get into this silver hunting stuff. The boss told me how to spot silver coins...mostly by date but the edges are a dead give-away. relatively shortly after that I found my first coin. A 1961 washington quarter. I couldn't believe it! I bought the coin with one of my own and started my collection. That day when I got home I googled the value and chances of finding silver quarters and I came across your website and a neat thread that had people talking about what they've pulled out of circulation and what not. The general concencus was that quarters were the hardest to find...it kinda bummed me out, but I kept on truckin'. Then today I get a roll of quarters for my laundry, I crack the roll and right away I see it. A bright, shining silver edge, I turn it over and it is a 1964! Now I've got two pieces. Quarters none the less and, and both within a 6 month period! Wow! The thread I read had people saying they had been looking for YEARS and maybe found one or two! I am considering myself lucky for sure! Especialy since I have yet to come across a silver dime or war nickel, and I doubt anyone will give me a half dollar, but it could happen. Also, I don't work anywhere like a gas station when there is a high volume of customers. I figure those gas station clerks have it pretty nice, considering that gas pretty much a necesity and people will spend those silver quarters to get to work or school or what not. Whereas with me, a 5/8-11 bolt isn't going to make or break their employment status. Now for the dark, and gloomy part of this whole thing...I'm 24 years old. Means I've got a lot of collecting ahead of me, but also, since I just got turned on to silver coinage about 6 months ago I've been spending these coins, unknowingly for I'd say 15 years atleast...obilivious to what they were or how much they could be worth. It's scary, really. How many of these dimes and quarters have I spent in the last 6 years, let alone my life!?! If only I could go back and educate myself, you know? I know this has been long winded and all, but I can't sleep and it is (no pun inteded) a quarter after midnight here...I guess I'll get going. Thanks for bearing with me! --R.
Sounds like you have it bad. The good part of it is there is no cure. Before you get excited and go out and buy a bunch of coins or, heaven forbid, order coins from Home Shopping Network, slow down and educate yourself about coins in general and specifically the coins you are considering buying. You have to realize that many coins are available in abundance so you don't have to buy the first one you see. And just because a coin is old that does not mean it is valuable. Good luck with your new obsession. And welcome to CoinTalk.
Welcome! You are among friends here, that's for sure. I love to hear, especially a new collector, vocalize their passion for collecting. Really cool. Well, don't be shy, ask questions and you'll get answers. They may not be correct answers, but they're free! Ha Ha! One of the biggest keys here when asking about a particular coin is posting photos. Familiarize yourself with that process and all will be good. In fact, I'm sure we'd all love to see your Quarter finds. This is a safe place for all of us coin crazy people to gather, enjoy our little asylum. Welcom to CoinTalk!!!
If you go to liquor stores and ask them for halves you might get lucky. I have picked up two 90% and a 40% from a liquor store , and my friend recently went to one that had morgan dollars ,walking liberty halves along with .999 silver ounces ! People are desperate to catch a buzz I guess lol, Have fun!
Thanks for the warm welcome! I will try and get the pictures up as soon as possible! I don't have a digital camera and my cell phone camera is not the highest of quality, but I will see what I can do! Hobo, don't worry about me buying a ton of coins (HSN or otherwise), I'm 24 years old and living paycheck to paycheck. I rely on what I can find. Cash register, laundry quarters, etc etc. My boss, and coin mentor already briefed me to NEVER buy coins from TV. He also says if you want a coin graded use PCGS. Fish, I will try the liquor store tactic! I already tried my bank for halves and they said they don't order them, they do have them but there isn't any silver. The lady I talked to I guess knows what to look for. Maybe she doesn't know about the 40%ers. Who knows. Anyways, I must be off to work now! Wish me luck! ---R.
I believe finding silver is all a matter of luck. A person could find a silver piece in every box or so, but then another person could get a roll of solid silver even though he/she got only 2 or 3 rolls at the bank. I personally, have not found any silver in circulation however, I have only been roll searching for only a month. I'm sure I'll eventually find silver and I'm sure you will find more.
Welcome to the forum! Great find on the quarter - been years since I have found a silver quarter or half(even a dime).
