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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,643 |
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Valued Member
United States
257 Posts |
Can someone give me their tips for searching dimes?
I did 2 boxes already, checked dates on every one- took forever!
Do you guys only edge check? I'm trying to figure out what's the best way to do them as they are small and the dates are actually hard to see at some angles!
I have another box waiting for me, but not looking forward to doing them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I date check. Actually, I mint-mark check because that would let me catch a 1982 no mintmark or a 1996-W. Most of the silver ones I do catch from the rims (I get the clear plastic brinks rolls), but I'm glad I date check, because I ran across a 1964 that had a very coppery looking brown stripe of tarnish on the edge. I was actually quite convinced it was a transitional error, until I got it under a stronger light. It'll also let me catch some big naked-eye errors; I found a big die-chip last night.
If you're only going for silver, you can probably get away with edge checking if you're very careful and don't mind missing one occasionally.
Doing it fast mostly requires practice and developing a system. You can be kinda sloppy about the date checking, because the color of the silver becomes unmistakable after a while. You only have to look closely at the date for any that are discolored or anything other than shiny nickel.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
I have a magnifying glass with a light that I use to make it easier. I have also been putting together a modern set of Roosevelt's so it is more interesting during the search!:) It is my goal to find as many mint state examples from rolls as I can. I actually have quite few already! I haven't found any silver yet. But I am sure there will be some in my next set of rolls! Treasure hunting in fun!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I average 1-2 silver per box, and 1 Mercury for every 6 silver Roosevelts.
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New Member
United States
48 Posts |
I always just check the edges and double-check the dates on any questionable looking edges. That said, I haven't had any luck roll hunting for silver. I've actually found more silver in my pocket change than in bank rolls. Your other option, if you don't care about dates, mint marks and die errors is to buy/build a coin sorter. If you've never heard of them, they are typically a coin comparitor device from a slot machine or other coin-op that takes a coin as it's comparison coin and either accepts or rejects coins that match or don't match the sample coin. A couple popular ones are the Ryedale ( http://www.ryedalecoin.com/) and the Coinalyzer ( http://www.copperpennysorter.com). You do get what you pay for but the coinalyzer works pretty good with enough tweaking. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1150 Posts |
I just checked a few boxes last week and found 7 or so silvers.
I edge check. If I can't tell a dimes status from the edge, I will check the date. This is fairly foolproof when searching for silver dimes.
However, be prepared to find a lot of Canadian dimes.
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Valued Member
United States
296 Posts |
Are just looking for silver, or looking for varieties?. Or Both? If just hunting for silver, edge check. WAY faster. Use a magnifier under good lighting while scanning over the edges. The magnifier will let you find the tarnished silver hiding amongst the copper and cupro-nickel stripes of the clad coins. If you have good eyes, you can do it without a magnifier, but make life easy for yourself... After a while you'll be able to tell the Canadian dimes from the the silver dimes just from the hue of the coin. The Canadian nickel and plated steel will have a bluish hue, the silver will have a whitish hue. You will soon also be able to predetermine from reed configuration and wear. If you're also looking for proofs and varieties, you know the answer to that one...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
i do the same, edge check and then if one is questionable then I check the date. I don't collect dimes so I don't really care for anything other than silver.
but when it comes to nickels I check every date because I collect them. but I have done 6 boxes of dimes and I have 8 silver roosevelts so far.
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New Member
United States
42 Posts |
I'd say if you aren't enjoying searching through the coins, then don't bother searching rolls. Unless you are very lucky, you don't get enough silver to pay gas money for bank runs and maybe $1.00/hour for your time. You are better off just spending that gas money on buying the silver you want from a coin shop. The only reason I bother searching through coins is I like the search. Just my Two Cents. |
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Valued Member
United States
417 Posts |
I check edges first, the missing dates from the harris books, the rare dates, the my wife checks for error's. It does take a little while but it is fun time together.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
i don't waste a\gas to get dimes. I go get a box of nickels every monday to search because I am putting together a complete set for circulation. so when I get my nickels I just grab a box of dimes to o with it and I just check the dimes for silver real quick. it is just a little added bonus to go with my nickels since I don't really collect dimes. I only keep the silver.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
809 Posts |
I agree with Strohbie!  |
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Valued Member
United States
296 Posts |
Quote:
Unless you are very lucky, you don't get enough silver to pay gas money for bank runs and maybe $1.00/hour for your time. You are better off just spending that gas money on buying the silver you want from a coin shop. True, to a point. Also that can be said about any denomination. Yes, making trips just to acquire coins is not the most cost effective thing to do. I am fortunate to live in an area that has multiple banks on every major and semi major intersection. My coin pick up and dump offs are on the way to my job. I can literally wave to the tellers through the windows of my vehicle and building front. So my fuel costs are zero. My only costs are short rolls.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
I've steadily searched dimes for over 3 years now. I know it's probably cheaper to buy them, but I've found hundreds of silvers, my favorites are early silver Canadians. I've found several Barbers, tons of mercs, etc. I only edge search and I don't miss a thing. This last year I've only searched customer rolled, I do about $2k a month average and have found several partial-silver rolls. I don't count coins and I only roll search for the love of the hobby.
Good luck in your search.
ffd
When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,643 |
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Posted 06/24/2011 11:19 am
