Nickel Roll Find

thats a good idea...but what police department, I live out in the sticks about 30 miles outside of denver, I wouldn't know where to start.

I do agree with you, these were intentionally dumped into circulation. Who knows how many more could be floating out there if I found over 80 in one box.

Incredible find. I agree, it is a dumped collection. Whether from inheritance, theft, or desperation, I do not know. I would make a few phone calls about recent thefts. I would start by calling the area coin and pawn shops, asking if anyone has reported a theft. The rightful owner may assume that the thief knows they are worth more than just change.

Sorry, but that's bad advice, and a waste of time for both the finder and the store.

Pawn shops and most other buyers have to keep records of purchases, and provide this info to LEO. They are not required to give it to anyone else, and in most cases would be prohibited from doing so (Hey, I think my wife's running around, and my class ring's missing...)

Local detectives tell me they monitor 35 buyers, in a town of 35,000. I've lived here all my life, and couldn't name more than about ten. By singling out a few to call, it would be a slap in the face (been on the receiving end). In effect, "yeah, I think these coins were stolen, and you're the first business I think of when I'd want to sell something stolen..."

Buyers are not being paid to babysit property that might be stolen, and even if they were, the finder has minimal "interest" outside of being a good citizen. A little different if they were stolen from him.

Every now and then, a victim will call and want to know if someone brought in something they had stolen from them, often claiming the police told them to check around. My first response is "which officer?", and eventually they admit it was their idea, and they claimed the police told them to sound more authoritative. If they mention a name, his superior will be having a chat with him. Then I give them this little lecture.

There are people who get paid to do this kind of work, they're called police and sheriff deputies. Buyers report to them, creating a central point, instead of checking LOK how many buyers in the Denver metro individually.

***** scenario *****

Yeah, I had some stuff stolen, and wonder if you bought it.

Sorry, we couldn't tell you if we did. Tell the police.

We did, but I think our nephew took them, because he's done this before.

Are you going to file charges if he was the thief?

We don't want to get him in trouble, we'd just like to get the stuff back.

Sorry, we don't have time to play cops and robbers so you can let your nephew learn to be a better thief next time.

*****

So to expand on my earlier comment:

A boy scout would call (1) the nearest city's police and (2)county's sheriff and tell them what you knew. Then you've done your share, and sleep well. Whoever took them in didn't worry about it, nor should you.

What? No 1983S?!?

Great find! You must have kept shaking your head as you were unrolling!

Congrats!

To say that I'm shocked is an understatement. I've only found three proof coins in circulation, and two of those were in such bad shape that I almost tossed them aside before noticing the tiny "S".

Some kid must've found daddy's special stash!

That is a score and a half. I never hit like that, but maybe someday. That is what keeps me going.
Congrats.

I'd sell it as a set, picture each coin and let people do their own grading. Be sure you airdust or camelhair brush before scanning or taking pix, because proofs show lint real bad.