Is Coin Roll Hunting Really Worth It?

I just love that thrill of never knowing what might be in that roll! Also when you do end up finding something whether it be silver, rare date, or even an error there is no better felling then knowing you have a piece of history and you paid nothing for it.

@socceraustin23 His question is certainly valid. While it may seem that you haven't paid anything for the rare non-wheat penny find in the rolls you buy, you actually have paid. The average roll on ebay goes for around $5-$10 largely depending on the types of coins showing on the ends of the roll. You might find some silver or the occasional flying AG-G flying eagle or the like every 3 or 5 rolls, but you still have to consider how much the rolls cost. Often times they ARE searched, no matter how many times the seller asserts they haven't been. After all, you as a coin collector should know that having a gigantic store of unsearched coin rolls that may contain potential rarities and selling them without searching through them first is practically impossible. CRH has a lot of drawbacks; in the end, it's really just about the thrill of rifling through a stack of "unsearched" old coins rather than any monetary gain that could result from finding a rarity. it's possible, but highly unlikely you'll find anything that will compensate you for the expense of many worthless rolls. That's that :|

jpsned: As someone who has similar reservations, and who has tried several boxes, not it is not worth it. Some people have a component that doesn't make CRH boring for them. Not me. Although I think it is cool when someone posts their finds.

For me, when I come across a roll of dimes or quarters with multiple silver coins in it, or even just one, its like I won the lottery. buying a ticket and getting a billion to one odds or CRH, it makes sense to me.

I find it relaxing to go through some rolls while I'm watching TV or something like that. I don't really go looking for errors, so odds are that I've let several slide by unnoticed. But that's fine with me.

I look though nickels and pull out any foreign or older (pre 1960) ones while trying to complete a 1938-present album. While I don't often add one to the album, the pre-1960 ones appear often enough that things aren't monotonous. No idea what I'm going to do with all the pre 1960 ones yet. But I try not to think about that. :)

Probably not likely to start another album from circulation after I complete this one, but maybe occasionally I'll do a few rolls for the relaxation factor.

It all depends on how you look at it while using the words "worth it."
You won't be able to quit your job doing it. The only way you could come close to making it a full time job would be to search thousands and thousands of cents a day sorting out copper with a machine sorter or several. Copper would of course would have to stay higher then the melt value of a cent and you would have to find someone to buy them which is hard because it's currently illegal to melt cents in the US.
If you are trying to fill up folders of different denominations searching can help fill up common holes pretty quickly. If your lucky enough you can due the 50 State Quarters in a box or two. Tougher dates/mint marks will come along slowly, with a very slim chance for key dates.
If you search enough boxes you will find some silver coins eventually with a rare chance to get a monster box containing lots of silver coins. This typically only happens in half dollar CRH though.
CRH can take up a good amount of time especially if searching for varieties and errors but can be worth it long term. Every time you find something that is worth more then face your making money. Volume and some luck have a lot to due in terms or how much you can profit off of CRH.
I personally love the thrill of the hunt and have found some cool coins while searching. Two days ago I found a 1943 steel cent in a roll I got from work along with two, I think British, pennies.. Found a silver dime a few days ago as well and a silver nickel about a week ago.

It is definitely the thrill of the hunt, and is lots of fun. Metal detecting is another of my hobbies, so when the ground is frozen in winter, I can still find good stuff by CRHing. It amazes me that you can still find wheaties and older nickels after all these years (I even recently received a 1920 Buffalo nickel in change.)
I started around 1968 or so, as a kid, as a great way to fill my Whitman coin folders.
I pretty much stick with cent and nickel rolls these days, obtained from different bank branches in my area (it definitely helps to have an account with them.)

If you have not tried it yet, give it a try, you might find that is a great way to constructively pass the time, instead of watching TV. WARNING: it can become addictive if you start finding good stuff.

If you enjoy the thrill of finding a coin in your change you should enjoy CRH. Many here do quick picks and move through boxes/bags of coin quickly. Others like me will take a week or more to search a box. Every box yields something. For me variety and error coins drive my enthusiasm but finding old and rare always sweetens the pot. Value also varies but I seem to find one or two coins that may have $10 value. A few weeks back I found several error coins worth around a couple hundred. For Three Cents it's a nice ROI. So, maybe you prefer to scan the shows or the shops or ebay to fill your needs scoring a good deal here or there. Terrific! You may enjoy the thrill of this hunt too.