So....now that you know where to get your coins, how do you know what coins to get? What do you start with. It all depends on what you're looking for. Most beginning coin roll hunters start with a few rolls or even a box of pennies, and search for 'Wheaties' or the wheat backed Lincoln cents. A lot of hunters also have dated coin albums that they need specific dates for. If you're looking for FREE SILVER, and if you have access to them, the half dollars may be your best bet for finding FREE SILVER! (But the half dollars can be really hard to get a hold of).
Most banks have the following on hand, and you usually just have to ask them if you can buy the coins from them:
- Pennies: Full boxes are $25 (look for 'wheaties' and pre 1982 pennies - anything minted before 1982 is 95% copper and worth more than face value. Also keep your eye out for 'steelies' or steel pennies!)
- Nickels: Full boxes are $100 (watch for silver nickels that were minted from 1942-1945! A lot of people also collect pre 1960 nickels)
- Dimes: Full boxes are $250 (look for anything 1964 and earlier - these are 90% SILVER!)
- Quarters: Full boxes are $500 (same goes for quarters - look for anything 1964 and earlier...they will be 90% SILVER!)
- Half Dollars: Full boxes are $500 (look for anything 1970 and earlier. Prior to 1965 all half dollars were 90% SILVER. After 1965 to 1970 they were 40% SILVER!)
We realize that this list isn't comprehensive. There are COUNTLESS variations and key dates of virtually every coin, along with minting errors that can be valuable. Ultimately, if you want learn the nitty gritty of all the stuff you COULD potentially look for when coin roll hunting, there is a lot of information online, in forums, and we would HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting a current coin value book.
