It Happened To Me Too...but Worse!

eaglefoot,

The coins were needed at an American Express Bank in Giessen, Germany that only served U.S. Troops (mainly Army Soldiers) stationed there! I was stationed at Kirch-Goens, (West) Germany from April 1973 to June 1975 in the 1st Brigade, 3rd Armor Division, 2nd of the 33rd (2/33) Armored Battalion but I can't remember if this happened in 1973 or 1974 since I spent so much time in the field. None of these coins were intended or accepted by German Banks, Businesses or Citizens but any and all of these would accept U.S. Paper Currency. The German Banks loved to get U.S. Paper Currency which they would use to get Gold Bullion from the U.S. Government in exchange.

You have to understand that the U.S. had around 750,000 stationed in Europe at the time with the large majority of them stationed in Germany! U.S. Coins and Currency were shipped to Germany about every three months for use in cashing Military Paychecks and for the use of the American Express. These shipments contained about 15 tons or more of U.S. Coins shipped in a CONAX (sealed) Trailer and probably several tons or more of Currency shipped the same way. Security was extremely tight and no one except the Troops, German Police (Polizei) and possibly Secret Service personnel ever knew when the shipment was actually coming in. Because of this long period between shipments, the American Express was always running low on change and especially Cents. One guy in the 3/33rd Armor actually had two foot-lockers full of Cents and he made a killing when they offered 2x face for each and every Cent turned in!


Frank

I have had a similar problem with Wachovia not allowing me to deposit cents into my account. About once a month I'll dump $100 rolled into my account and get harrassed about it everytime. They went so far as to tell me not to come back if I planned on bringing any more coins. I said fine! Pulled several thousand out of my moneymarket account and closed all my other accounts. Went accross the street to BoA and they gladly opened me a new account. They order me $200 in cents a week in boxes and told me of a branch near my work place thats happy to take my dump coins.

Write a letter to the senators or whoever that one of their TARP banks is forcing customers to close their accounts.

At 13, you should be out playing baseball and not roll searching. Your youth should be spent with friends and family. It's summer and there is lots of fun to be had. Leave to roll searching to the older folks.

For many 13 year olds, and some even younger, searching rolls and enjoying coins IS fun! Way to discourage future coin collectors, in a hobby that is already shifting toward an older average age! This hobby NEEDS the new blood, and I for one am thrilled when I am at a coin show and I see a youngster taking a high amount of interest in this hobby. The last show I attended I witnessed a youngster probably around 10-13 looking at Large Cents with his dad. It was obvious the dad was the observer and the child was the hobbyist. Please, don't discourage the young; there is plenty of time to go out and play baseball and all and still enjoy this hobby!

Exactly! (coming from the ranks of the unemployed)



It's better than the lotto! The only way you can lose roll searching is if a roll is short...and it doesn't happen that often.

exactly jbuck