Anyone Ever Take Your Coins Through Airport Security?

Cratylus

I'm wondering how this would work if you were attending a coin show on the other side of the country. Has anyone here attempted this? Did you have any problems?

tradedollarnut

Yes. Most of the time they pass right on through ... sometimes they open the bag to check the box. Just sit tight with a smile on your face and you'll have no problems.

Cratylus

Thanks for the peace of mind, TDN. This is the first time I've ever tried something like this and wanted to be sure there wouldn't be any unforeseen problems. Last thing I want is to have to mail them back to my house while I'm not there... or worse, to have them confiscated!

Regulated

You can take them through security and it generally doesn't result in a search; however, if you are searched, be sure to ask for a private search (it is your legal right). If you do, prying eyes won't see what you have with you. The only time asking for a private search was a hassle for me was when I requested one and the TSA asked me in a loud voice whether I had pornography in my carry-on.

tradedollarnut

<< <i>You can take them through security and it generally doesn't result in a search; however, if you are searched, be sure to ask for a private search (it is your legal right). If you do, prying eyes won't see what you have with you. The only time asking for a private search was a hassle for me was when I requested one and the TSA asked me in a loud voice whether I had pornography in my carry-on. >>



That's what you get for sharing a cab with SaintGuru to the airport....

BECOKA

I sold one of my collections through auction once. they sent a representative with some special bags/containers that were supposed to help get through security easier. Not sure what that was about.

tmot99

I've gone in for a number of private screenings. It's no big deal. They usually have an idea of what you've got so they are usually pretty excited to do them. I once actually had TSA screeners fighting as to who would go.

Also, depending on what airport and how busy they are, I have allowed them to do a search on a near by out of the way table. As long as they are discreet, it hasn't been any issue.

MrHalfDime

As a collector, and not a dealer, I do not normally carry many coins with me to shows, but I often do bring things either to sell or for "Show & Tell". After 9/11 I was a bit nervous about carrying coins with me on planes and going through security checks. The TSA has a screening policy which may put some people's mind at ease, however. It could represent a serious security risk for you if the TSA opened your case in full view of everyone else at the airport and pulled out your coins to inspect. If you are in such a situation and are nervous about everyone else seeing what you are carrying, you can request a 'private screening'. The TSA security people are fully aware of this provision, and will take it in stride. They will escort you to an adjacent private screening area, away from the public eye, and look through your possessions. Once they see what you have in your case, they will fully understand your apprehension. You should also understand that this will not unnecessarily delay you, nor will it mark you as some troublemaker, causing undue scrutiny or flight delays. This is a common request, and the TSA are very professional and discrete about conducting 'private screenings'. I have done so many times without incident.

notwilight

All the time. A couple of times they said "looks like you got a bunch of change in there." "Yep, thank you."

--Jerry

ahooka454

<<The only time asking for a private search was a hassle for me was when I requested one and the TSA asked me in a loud voice whether I had pornography in my carry-on. >>



Thats funny!

mrpotatoheadd

Every time I've come back from a show with coins in my bag, they've wanted to take a look. As noted above, when you see that they're going to look through your bag, you can ask for a private screening so that every Tom, Dick and Harry passing through security doesn't see what you're carrying.

Regulated

As an aside, I know a dealer who made the mistake of carrying a 100-oz silver bar in the same bag as a watch. He found himself in a bombproof room with the bag and was told over loudspeakers to empty its contents.

tradedollarnut

<< <i>As an aside, I know a dealer who made the mistake of carrying a 100-oz silver bar in the same bag as a watch. He found himself in a bombproof room with the bag and was told over loudspeakers to empty its contents. >>

57loaded

<< <i>As an aside, I know a dealer who made the mistake of carrying a 100-oz silver bar in the same bag as a watch. He found himself in a bombproof room with the bag and was told over loudspeakers to empty its contents. >>



and my guess the watch band was around the bar......well, he'll never do that again.

ElKevvo

Hmmm...I was traveling a couple of years ago and had some mint sealed boxes....even though I had a private screening they still 'needed' to open the boxes and look at the contents (I would have hoped that all of the high tech detection equipment would have detected something if it existed)...of course this destroyed any first strike/sealed box value. Wasn;t happy about that but wasn't going to argue either....

K

ahooka454

" Excuse me sir, will you open that box very slowly?"


You," I cant, it will ruin the the first strike option for me."


" Sir, turn your head & cough."



You, "Gulp..."

droopyd

i carried a coin album thru security a couple of times - no muss, no fuss, no questions asked.

larger quantities in rolls/bags might me more highly scrutinized i would guess.

WTCG

I have travelled through airport security while carrying coins more times than I can count. The amount of scrutiny you receive at security depends on many factors, such as the airport location, security personnel, and any temporary security guidelines that may be in place. Often times there is no issue passing through security, but there are plenty of other times that your items may be personally screened by TSA personnel.

STONE

I've never had an issue w/ airport security. Only once was I asked for my bag to be open and I didn't have many coins worth any real amount to worry about anything.

tradedollarnut

BTW - you can usually pass thru the metal detector with 1 or 2 slabs in your pocket.

ziggy29

<< <i>BTW - you can usually pass thru the metal detector with 1 or 2 slabs in your pocket. >>

So that '70-S never has to leave your side?

Coxe

<< <i>The only time asking for a private search was a hassle for me was when I requested one and the TSA asked me in a loud voice whether I had pornography in my carry-on. >>



At that point you better remember if any of the coins was a Type I SLQ or (worse) a MadMarty coin.

tmot99

<< <i>BTW - you can usually pass thru the metal detector with 1 or 2 slabs in your pocket. >>



Yeah, that lead lining in the compucheap holders is amazing!

UtahCoin

Leaving the ANA show in Denver a couple of years ago, we had EVERY one of our stock boxes searched, one coin at a time. We were in the private screening area foe 45 minutes with 3 TSA agents. I believe this was just a day or two after that alert were you couldn't take any liquid on board. That trip was a nightmare.