Dime Roll Searching

Proofs don't stay in circulation for 50 years. A collection is stolen, spent, and the next person that sees that "really shiny" coin pulls it out of circulation again.

A circulated proof generally has mirror surfaces with hairline scratches.

When I was 8 or so, I saved a 1972 dime because it had an S mintmark instead of the usual P or D. Only years later did I find out it was a circulated Proof coin. The only shininess I could still see on it were in the protected parts of the devices...

Even people who we wouldn't consider "collectors" will save something unusual.

I get new Canadian dimes all the time, and their regular mintage coins are as shiny as our proof coins, and they still get to me.

It seems they would be twice as likely to get picked because they are foreign, but they still circulate.

proof clad dimes are as fun for me to find as silver but thats just my opinion
and I agree with everyone else. The shine is more like a mirror shine then a glimmer from a new coin
easy to see in hand

The last 2 boxes were skunks. I didn't completly strike out though. While metal detecting Monday I pulled a 42 merc! My 1st silver while detecting.

So I haven't posted on here in a looong time. I haven't really had time to search much, and when I did it was always halves. I recently started searching dimes. Mainly because the halves have really dried up around here, although I still manage 1-2 boxes a week.

Anyway, I picked up 2 boxes of dimes today. (averaging 1-2 boxes a week and finding an average of 1 per) I got home from work, settled in to search. My fiance sitting on the couch looking at me like I was a dork. I search Brinks boxes, and cheat because they have the clear plastic wrap. I pulled two rolls that had visible silver rims from the first box, and a couple with questionable rims. As always I checked the possibles first with negative findings. Then I checked the rolls with the visible rims. I couldn't believe what I found. I found a Merc that was very dirty. I used my glass and discovered that it was a 1916. I got excited, and had to explain to her why. The back was very dirty, and I couldn't make out the mint mark if any. She then became very excited and started looking at the coin while I checked the next box. She then used water to wipe off the crud that was on the back (it did come off enough to read the mint mark). Just to torture her and myself, I finished the other box before looking at the 16 Merc. After finishing I examined the 1916, and.........it was a S mint mark. Not what I wanted, but still really cool to find a nearly 95 year old dime in circulation.

Plus it was really funny seeing the anticipation in my fiance's face. Total finds for both boxes were 5 silver. A 1916s,36s,46,57,64.
And now she wants to start helping me search. Sorry for the lengthy post.