The Coin Roll Hunters Strategy Thread - An Open Discussion
OAKSTAR
Posts: 7,634 ✭✭✭✭✭
Sorry guys, I don't know what happened with this thread. I hosed something up!!
@ifthevamzarockin was nice enough to help me and pulled my butt out of the fire. He saved my original posting. Thanks @ifthevamzarockin!!
This long holiday weekend is giving me time to re-think my strategies.
I see a lot of threads regarding coin roll hunting and finds. There's been some discussion lately about members not having much luck or finding anything significant.
This thread is not really intended to show what you have found. We all know there are plenty of threads here for that but if it adds to your searching story-line, feel free.
Would like to hear members strategies, mode of operations, tactics or game plan when it comes to CRH'ing.
EXAMPLES: Where you're getting your rolls? How far do you travel looking for rolls? Average dollar amount per search. Where and how you dump coins. Are you re-rolling your coins? Are your finds completely random? Are you just at the right place, at the right time? Do you have/need accounts at all the banks you frequent?
Basically, don't be afraid to give up your secrets and your successes. Spill your guts. Don't worry, no one is going to snatch up your coins. Share your experiences, methods and stories with others so they can be successful.
Attn: Newbies. You guys may have many questions regarding our methods and madness for searching. Ask away!
EDIT: FYI
@Coin_nut1977 @Coinscratch @LanceNewmanOCC @WQuarterFreddie @rec78 @ifthevamzarockin @Kurisu @joeykoins @derry @ricko
Comments
"Where you're getting your rolls?"
Local banks
"How far do you travel looking for rolls?"
I don't travel far, there are plenty of banks in my area and it just adds to the cost to travel further.
"Average dollar amount per search."
Most of the time I only get 1 or 2 boxes at a time.
When the W quarters were being released I was getting $5,000 at a time.
"Where and how you dump coins."
I dump at a local Credit Union where they have a counting machine.
I never return them to the same place I bought them from.
Buy from banks and return to CU's.
"Are you re-rolling your coins?"
No, that takes more time that I could use to look at more coins.
During the coin shortage I was re-rolling some to be able to trade with banks.
"Are your finds completely random?"
Yes
"Are you just at the right place, at the right time?"
It's more of a volume thing rather than luck.
"Do you have/need accounts at all the banks you frequent?"
For the most part yes, but I will go into a bank that I don't have an account and ask, the worse they can do is say no.
I have been able to get quite a few boxes from banks that I don't have an account.
I don't CRH all the time, the time it takes is usually better spent elsewhere.
Once I start the OCD kicks in and it is too easy to spend too much time doing it.
I always search all of my pocket change before turning it in.
After completing a box or two I add photos of my findings to the official coin roll hunting thread.
When I go to a new bank, I ask them if I can order coins from the federal reserve before I open an account.
Customer wrapped rolls are hit or miss. I find most of my finds on rolls that I order from the federal reserve.
Also, if you have been to a bank that says: No sorry, you need an account and it's been 6 months since you were there......go back. Tellers and management may have completely turned over with new employees. You could get luck.
Where you're getting your rolls?
usually just local banks. some people do grocery stores and other locations.
How far do you travel looking for rolls?
no more than normal travels. (although, if out of town, if i remember, i'll grab some from one of my banks)
Average dollar amount per search.
$150 (usually larger denoms as the smaller stuff takes considerably longer although i concede that cents REALLY have some great stuff to look for and a lot of it)
Where and how you dump coins.
my main branch for business checking. i re-roll everything. methods refined over 20+ years, so goes pretty quick. (to me)
Are you re-rolling your coins?
yes
Are your finds completely random?
huh? if they come to me in any sort of pattern, i've yet to recognize it but i'm not a savant.
Are you just at the right place, at the right time?
sometimes but not usually to my knowledge.
Do you have/need accounts at all the banks you frequent?
hit and miss. usually when getting coins, no. when taking coins back, almost certainly yes.
pretty much the best tip, imo, is to not search for the stuff while sorting. just push the pile(s) to look through til the end, if wanting to go a little quicker. use a digi-scope if you have one to save your neck and have a light sitting up higher than your head if you are holding the coins so you don't have to bend over. if you have it sitting behind you in some configuration, you can actually kind of recline and relax while doing it.
edited to add: when i do go through the finds, i have a stack of cardboard 2x2 not stapled shut i will sit the coins on and make a note of what it is about that particular coin why i set it aside. i tried remembering for each coin but that ends up being a time killer for me.
if you have an unstapled cardboard 2x2, the coins will sit in the hole quite well so they can be stacked/slid around etc.
Coin roll hunting strategy ....
This is how I started and funded my error coin business.
I would strictly follow these guidelines ...
Only buy a box or preferable boxes of all one date / mintmark rolls of newly minted coins. Your bank most likely will not have these. I would buy boxes from the ebay sellers at 2x to 3x face value. They have them so that is where you go to buy them.
Carefully search the rolls for any repeatable mint error that would photograph well and then make a great stock photo of said error. Sell only one a week on ebay and do not flood the market. If it takes 2 years to get through 104 error coins then that is great.
It also possible to find a one-of-a-kind error coin in these unsearched rolls. I have a few times.
All the profits in these minor error coins would then be used to buy major errors to slowly upscale my offerings.
I would dumped the rejected coins at Constar and take the hit. It was still profitable.
I now no longer roll search. I just buy major error coins from others using their labor.
Exactly! 👍🏻
I kinda didn't the same thing. I funded my key dates and upgrades with my W quarter finds.
That is awesome, congrats. I never did the "W" thing.
When I first started the above, I was still mostly a collector. Being able to afford the cool major error coins with just the labor of searching for and selling minor error coins really helped at that time.
idk why but your post made me think of a tip. i added to the bottom of my post above.
I'll be perfectly honest. I had zero interest in the W quarter "gimmick, stunt or fad" thing the Mint was pulling. I think it was late 2019 or early 2020... I was late to the game. For the hell of it, one day I got 50 bucks in quarter from a local bank. They were all new 2019 rolls. I think I pulled 3 W's from those 5 rolls.....................I was hooked!
I was also very lucky. For whatever reason, my area was flooded with W's!
"Where you're getting your rolls?"
Local banks
"How far do you travel looking for rolls?"
Usually local bank but I travel for business so I can stop by other branches too.
"Average dollar amount per search."
Most of the time I only get 1 or 2 boxes at a time so $500-$1000. I just keep rolling over the initial amount.
"Where and how you dump coins."
Exchange box for sealed box with my local bank.
**"Are you re-rolling your coins?"
**
Yes. I search a roll, then re-roll it using quarter wrappers I buy by the box. Doesn't take long once you learn some tricks😉
"Are your finds completely random?"
Yes but best to search sealed boxes not customer wrapped rolls that most likely are ones returned by CRH.
"Are you just at the right place, at the right time?"
It's more of a volume thing rather than luck.
"Do you have/need accounts at all the banks you frequent?"
If buying a box or exchanging a box then yes I have an account.
They put me on their regular schedule and I pick up on set days they receive their shipment.
Also buy or exchange from 3-10 rolls at banks without an account. 😎
Something else that just came to mind after reading Freddie's post.
Many of these banks I hit (some with account, most without) think I'm getting these coins for a business. They see me coming in and their eye roll to the backs of their heads! 😂 🤣 It helps establishing a relationship.
Some tellers have asked me: ****WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH ALL THESE COIN?...DO YOU HAVE A BUSINESS? ****
I smile and say: No, it's just a hobby. Some look at me wide eyed, like I have 3 heads!! 😂 But others have expressed a real interest.
I've also been in banks waiting on-line and have seen people (little old ladies) with a bag of rolled coins ready to deposit. Ask them if you can buy them.
Although if I had your coins @ErrorsOnCoins, I would burn mine!! 😂 🤣 👍🏻
People on this forum used to make fun of me for my $5 error coins that cost me 3 cents or 2x face value. Sometimes they went for $20.
You have to start somewhere.
The great thing about roll hunting is you learn a lot about die state, mint state, and mint markers.
You obviously started before errors became popular. 👍🏻 👍🏻
I started around 1999 with all the trillions of major cent errors from 1999 and 2000.
All the expensive state quarter errors fascinated me.
Then in 2001 to 2002 the US Mint put in machines and procedures to to stop the vast majority of major error coins from getting out. I said to myself, wow, these cool works of art are only going to get rarer, so I became an error coin dealer and started hoarding super eye appealing error coins.
So, to bring it back to roll searching, that really is (almost) the only way to find a modern possible major error coin.
Very clever thread!
Here is my CRHunting method. Many have their own methods to the MADNESS! Lol
To me, this is my quickest and accurate way. Good Luck, guys!
Step1.
First thing I do after I get home with a bank box. Check for any enders! Silver or W's.
Step 2.
Making sure I have a some what long enough fingernail, to easily unfold the ends. Lol
Step 3.
Using my USB scope like a pencil. While placing a canvas bag on my lap. Then, to start searching.
Step 4.
Placing the open roll on my lap, at the top of the bag.
Step 5.
Checking each individual coin, then after checking, letting the coin fall to the bottom of the canvas bag pile.
Step 6.
Have ready a dispose container of the searched coins.
One's own discretion, I usually pour after each 2 rolls.
Tilt the bag of coins into the container. Until filled.
Step 7.
After filled. Pour into a well strengthened canvas bag to get ready for transportation to the bank for exchange.
This is my own way to hunt and distribute back to my bank to start the whole procedure over once again!
Hope you guys find your own special method, if not mine, to have fun in hunting for those little gems!
Good Luck in your CRHunting adventures.
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.Something else Joey just reminded me of. If anyone is searching halves just for silver, don't just look at the reeded edges of the coins for silver. You better be looking at each coin and listening as it hits your dump pile.
Many of the 40% edges look close to copper clad. Plus the sound of silver is distinctively different.
Good Point, dude!
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.I don’t search as much as I used to. There was a period of time where I was searching $2k in halves every other week. Now I just stop in for a box of quarters or a few rolls of halves every now and then.
I get my coins from local banks. I never travel far. If I do it’s for something else and I just stop in one that I pass by. The last few searches were all a single sealed $500 quarter box. I dump at various local banks and cu’s that have nice staff and self serve counting machines. Never re-rolled coins before. All finds are random as I only search circulated rolls. Very rarely come across brand new rolls/boxes. I only get and dump coins at branches I have good relationships and have accounts at.
Collector
75 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 45 members and counting!
instagram.com/klnumismatics
Well oh my gosh...thank you for thinking of me in this distinguished group of wonderful souls
"Where you're getting your rolls?"
My local banks and credit unions mostly.
Online and local and semi-local coin shops.
"How far do you travel looking for rolls?"
When I travel I grab a few and occasionally ship myself a few.
"Average dollar amount per search."
No average. Depends on what I see or feel like.
Sometimes I plan something like a box because I don't like to overwhelm myself.
I also have quite the selection of Mint and vintage rolls. I don't go very long without adding something to open later.
"Where and how you dump coins."
Credit union that takes them for me. I make manageable size bags for the tellers.
"Are you re-rolling your coins?"
Never.
Except the super nice ones I haven't chosen for the potential send off for grading pile...I currently have way too many MS rolls and I'm doing something about it.
"Are your finds completely random?"
Not sure what that means so much...I see very few P here in Denver and even fewer S. But sometimes a W too
I guess they're less random when I do my "white glove" mint roll searches and super fresh Loomis rolls and such since I expect to see some nice specimens if the rolls have been handled nicely.
"Are you just at the right place, at the right time?"
All the new stuff (like the new American Women Quarters) seem to take a month or so to show up in the rolls and as solid fresh rolls, even though I live just a few miles from the Denver Mint lol.
**
**"Do you have/need accounts at all the banks you frequent?"
I don't even try at banks I don't have account with. But I'll head on in and ask questions if I don't have an account and I'm curious about their services.
You forgot to ask, "What types of rolls do you like to search the most?"
> @OAKSTAR said:
Well...Thanks for asking @OAKSTAR
My favorites those white glove searches of vendor rolls filled with freshly released coinage that many searchers don't seem to enjoy so much lol.
I absolutely am maybe slightly addicted to U.S. Mint rolls.
Next are the rolls I believe to be original vintage rolls of any type. I also open from rolls from my collection regularly.
I even have a collection of interesting customer rolls I've gathered over the last few decades.
Also I really REALLY love the rolls they're willing to give me at my banks, any rolls
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
@Kurisu-
I'm sure I missed tagging a few good CRH'ers here.
I have a question for you. You mention the types of rolls you like searching.
This came to mind. Occasionally, I've been getting these yellow and red rolls from banks. They are marked as U.S. Mint. So someone bought these things at a premium from the Mint and then cashed them in at the bank for face value???
One exception...
For a time the mint sold dollar coins for face value with free shipping. They were rolled and packed into $500 boxes.
My general advice for roll searching is volume and speed.
Don't over-scrutinize coins. If there is a date that has a doubled die, for example, set those aside for scrutinizing later. Otherwise, look for obvious standouts such as older designs or noticeable errors, and then move on.
For boxes of solid new coins, look quickly for errors and varieties. I found a super-rare double struck nickel this way.
The key is to move through them quickly.
Oh, okay. Thanks for that. That's probably what they are or where they came from. Thanks!!
I have not been roll searching for a while. Used to do half dollars and would get them from the bank. Got real busy with other things. Would like to get back to it. Maybe soon....Cheers, RickO
For me I like finding the high grade examples over minors any day. And the over-all cut-off for finding MS cents in circulation or semi private circ. is around 1985 with the older dates typically ranging MS66 at best. So while banks are fun it's a long winded crapshoot you have to time just perfectly which, takes a lot of time.
Yup. In that photo the yellow ones and the ones with the red ends look like original mint rolls.
Thing about mint rolls though...the coins in there become a little less exceptional over time, with all the handling that's happened to them along the way. But you can likely still expect some nice ones in those rolls.
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
I've definitely got different techniques for different denominations and types of rolls.
Speed, is rarely one of my "techniques"
I do tend to be pretty quick because like @Coinscratch eludes to ... I do fairly speedy pre sorting and then a couple more rounds of final sorting, depending on the type of rolls.
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
My bank has a few branches. One by my office is very open to ordering boxes for me. I have been getting small quantities of rolls there for my kid for awhile and just asked the question on boxes. They just want them picked up within a day so they don’t need to store them.
Yes, excellent point! If you order boxes and you tell them you will pick them up, make sure you do that ASAP. They don't like sitting on those boxes.
I even have a few banks "trained" 😂 👍🏻 to call me when my boxes come in. If I say I'll be there within a half hour..........I'm there! Those banks get a dozen donuts every now and then!! 👍🏻 👍🏻
I get bank and home wraps from the CU and three gasmarts nearby. My purchases invited the counterboys to ask me about what I do with the coins. I gave them used Whitman folders (to put their silver penny in) and a few pieces to prime them. Herschel asked me “What do I do when it’s full?” —I replied, “give it back.”
Anyhow, three clerks where I can buy my glass tubes with fake roses collect pennies now. When they want to fill a pock badly enough they ask me if I have one for sale. I ask for a roll of nickels. Everybody is happy.
Part 2
Another aspect of CRHunting.
Yes, Here's another way I search my rolls.
"In my Car!"
While, my wife grocery shops. I always take a few rolls with me to hunt.
Well, here's what I sometimes find.
Just as I found today!
#145 W
2020W Samoa V75
George got the vampire bite!
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line."Where you're getting your rolls?"
BofA, there are 3 in my local area, with the coin shortage I have to hit all 3 to build up a supply, with the farthest is location is ~10 miles
Also I get rolls from local stores (Safeway/Nabhill) - swapped the rolls 1 for 1
"How far do you travel looking for rolls?"
closest is 3 miles, and the farthest about 10 (I work from home so I don't care about gas
"Average dollar amount per search."
I have an average of about 62 rolls (each week, but on a good week maybe more) of quarters and usually 10/12 rolls of cents, I reroll the cents and swap 1 for 1.
"Where and how you dump coins."
I return them to the bank - Basically I swap what I have for new rolls - I actually use the original rolls (I don't rip) I unroll one and and push the coins through, then reinstall them back in and secure the end back.
Why? The bank likes them that way because they can reuse them with the customers (They look just like they came from the truck) I very seldom search customer rapped rolls as I believe that I could be wasting my time
"Are you re-rolling your coins?"
Yes as explained above, I swap them and all the tellers know me - I have a system and it don't take much time. If I didn't do this, the bank would set limits of how many rolls I could get - Again, due to coin shortage
"Are your finds completely random?"
I started in 2019 because of W quarters. I was only searching new rolls (no circulated roll) as I was interested in W's to sell on eBay. Now I search circulated coin rolls looking for W's, S-mint, silver and will 'stockpile" nice looking coins for albums and such. For cents I keep everything copper along with Wheats and such
"Are you just at the right place, at the right time?"
Timing is essential so I know when the banks get their deliveries - The coin shortage has made this a challenge for sure
**"Do you have/need accounts at all the banks you frequent?"
Yes, and the local grocery stores know me
What types of rolls do you like to search the most?"
Most quarter and cent rolls, once in awhile dimes.
To this date I have found 482 W's, I kept 8 complete sets for both 2019 and 2020. I also kept some rolls with W enders. I gave a complete set to my 2 brothers and have sold well over 300 W's on e-bay. I do find silver quarter and I keep them all.
I do not search for error coins much as of the time required and I don't get my coins graded.
@Joe_360! YES!!....I forgot about local grocery stores!! Plus, some of those grocery stores have small bank branches in them.
In my area the coin-stotage is still alive & well. The tellers are limited how much they can give out so I have to swap 1 for one which means that I have to stockpile rolls.
Be very nice to your tellers!!! Tell them how helpful they are and share a little of your con knowledge
@joeykoins,
I understand if it was a new/uncirculated roll to check for a W ender, but what does checking the enders before unrolling in a circulated roll?
First thing I do after I get home with a bank box. Check for any enders! Silver or W's.> @joeykoins said:
Joey?!?! you don't go in with here and check the Coin Star machine? Don't tell that your wife does it for you.. lol!
You're missing out Bud!!
Better Pics!
My recent W find.
2020W Samoa
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.Speaking of checking enders
Also, in the scheme of searches, if you can buy a box of pennies ($25), it's a cheap good sized search.
This was minutes ago...Not something I see often in Loomis rolls.
I'm just checking the ends in this box of pennies I bought a couple weeks ago
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
Those searching for newly issued coin rolls should be aware that they are usually found in boxes that have nothing but new coins on the roll ends. If your box has enders that have been recycled/re-rolled then your entire box is usually all older coins. Don't bother opening these rolls if you are searching for brand new BU coins. Take a box of them back to the bank and ask to trade for a sealed rolls. Tellers are more likely to accept these armored carrier rolls than they are customer wrapped rolls. New coins that come from the mint and through FED reserve banks are usually all dumped into the carrier's rolling machine tub at the same time, resulting in rolls of nothing but new coins, and boxes of nothing but rolls of new coins.
Exit bunker, enter Matrix. LOL
So far, I have kept most of my coin roll hunting finds. What do you do? Keep them all? Sell them all? Keep one or two of each and sell duplicates?
Here's another example @LanceNewmanOCC
Whatever it is, I don't like it and don't want it in my American currency!
.
that IS weird. guess it is time to start a NEW group!
looks like some centennial of something.
I just opened it. It's some kind of anniversary coin for the Montreal Canadiens Hockey team. If it would have been for the Islanders, I wouldn't have felt so bad!! 😂 🤣
Have you ever met any other CRH'ers at the banks while you were there? I never have but I've been in conversations with a couple of tellers that have told me about other CRH'ers that come into the bank on a regular basis. They (the tellers) told me what they (CRH'ers) are asking for and searching for. Some interesting conversations.
Thought it would be neat to meet or talk to some of these guys and compare notes. I left my name and number with one of these tellers and asked her to convey my searching story to the guy that comes in for boxes.
Never thought I would actually get a phone call but I did about a week later. We met at a local McDonald's. He told me some things I didn't know and I told him some things to look for. We were both impressed with each others searching experiences.
While driving out of the bank parking lot last week, one of the tellers ran out and said wait!.........we found some more in the back.
Like all of you, I'm thinking; Have these rolls been searched? Did they come from a collector? Are they someones dump rolls?
Then I ask myself, "besides us", how many people out there in the general public are actually searching dollar coins?.....probably not many in today's economic environment.
Don't be afraid to ask the tellers where they came from. You'll be surprised how much information you will get! Many of them know exactly where these customer wrapped rolls are coming from. I asked the teller;.. Did these rolls come from a collector? The teller said no, they came from a manager of a 7/11. He throws them in an old empty 5 gal. paint can. At the end of the month or when the can gets to heavy to carry, the guy rolls them up and bring them to the bank.