When sifting through pocket change, what do you look for?

jeremym

Question, my fellow collectors...

When sifting through pocket change, what do you look for? Any specific coins? Specific errors ON specific coins? Do you "grade" them on the spot? Do you only note certain things about certain coins that you'd like to go check out later in more detail?

Me, personally? I just look at dates. I'm not really into the error varieties yet and there are so many that it's hard to learn that curve while also learning other curves. After all, I am a beginner collector compared to many of you on these boards. I am currently into looking for pre 1964 coinage, for silver content. I suppose it's a mediocre start but we've all got to start somewhere. It sure is exciting finding silver in pocket change though! I've only found one, a 1956 dime, so far.

...just trying to spark some conversation

Thanks all!

lcoopie

welcome

jeremym

<< <i>welcome >>



Thanks? I wasn't really asking what TO look for...but what do YOU all look for. Strictly asking for opinions and preference, not advice..

Thanks though.

TURBO

Just silver. Got a 64 quarter in change from the corner store a couple weeks ago.

jeremym

<< <i>Just silver. Got a 64 quarter in change from the corner store a couple weeks ago. >>



Isn't it such a nice feeling. Especially because a lot of people don't know that those coins are actually worth more than face value.

Russ

I look to make sure the clerk didn't short me.

Russ, NCNE

ajaan

Silver, wheat cents, and pre-1960 nickels.

DieClash

<< <i>I look to make sure the clerk didn't short me.

Russ, NCNE >>



You would!

TheRegulator

Dates/mintmarks for my circulation collections, high grade anything for my later date circulation collections, and copper.

ProofArtworkonCircs

Type B clad quarters. I haven't found one in years. I found quite a few in the 1973-1988 period.

silverpop

anything unsual or looks out of place among my change

TwoSides2aCoin

I look at condition. That's it. If it's nice enough, I usually set it in my left pocket. Then when I'm really in need of change I go to my left pocket last. But in case I get to the shop first with a 2x2, it usually gets spent. It's just modern stuff so it passes through the hands without much of a second thought. One day we'll look back and think... "geeze where are the pristine coins from that year ? "

Swampboy

I look for color and quality before I toss in the change can to be sorted on a winter night.

I found an MS 56-D Jeff last week.
Woo Hoo!

ambro51

Ive found some really beautiful new coins. Full struck, well detailed, bright and shiny. I post them on the forum...considering submitting them and get back various grade opinions like 65,64....etc etc all on a coin that I, a fairly long time collector, considered a gem.

So with that being said,,,Ive totally given up looking in detail at ANY pocket change. It is merely what it is...pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters and they are worth exactly what the US govt. stamped on the back.

pontiacinf

I found an 1982 no p dime in a change jar I looked thru at work one day. Girl needed money
for lunch so she sold me the change-I believe Rampage still has it, as I passed it on to him.

found 6 2000 wide am's over the years also.

OldEastside

<< <i>anything unsual or looks out of place among my change >>



There you have it

Steve

pf70collector

1992 D Closed AM Linoln Cent

tahoe98

...i like to eyeball every piece of change that comes into my hands. i can set them aside for a more complete

inspection later if something sends up a flag in my head. i sometimes look at this site to refresh my memory on some. i just don't like taking a chance that something might slip by me.

LanceNewmanOCC

<< <i>I look for color and quality before I toss in the change can to be sorted on a winter night.

I found an MS 56-D Jeff last week.
Woo Hoo! >>



am i not supposed to be putting these into circulation?

i have rolls i can't give away ><

except when i spend them
.
.

johnny9434

<< <i>Silver, wheat cents, and pre-1960 nickels. >>



I do the same

Elcontador

All I look for is pre 1982 cents. I haven't found a silver coin in change in over a decade.

chumley

lint

illini420

I usually just look at the pennies. I used to pull out all of the wheat cents I found, but it's more fun for me to just spend them and hope some kid finds them someday. But for some reason I still save all of the San Francisco Lincolns and Jeffersons that I find...

JupitarCoins

Not only do I look at my loose change but I also listen if I have a pocketfull of change for that certain cling(clang) sound that silver makes.

ernie11

wheat cents, Wide AM cents, older Jeff nickels, ATB quarters, and anything dated 2009. Silver, but I very seldom find that. Especially nice condition, well-struck moderns, depends on the date. Also state and territory quarters to fill the holes in my whitman folders.

cladking

There's no short cut to learning abut varieties and other scarcities that can be found in circulation.

Wait... ...yes, there is one short cut. Anyone who is serious about finding interesting coins in cir-
culation should start filling up folders with the finest made example with the least wear they can
find. In very short order you'll start learning what's out there and what isn't. Ask questions as there
are lots of very knowledgeable people here who can help with everything from "proof" reverse coins
to rotated dies.

You will be surprised not only by what you learn but how much you can learn.

I mostly look for varieties but I always keep an eye out for upgrades of my collections.

pmac

<< <i>All I look for is pre 1982 cents. I haven't found a silver coin in change in over a decade. >>

dlmtorts

I think it's a great time to be a collector. I have not had much interest in post 1964 coinage but now's the time. Despite the great mintages, think of all the coins that we will see disappear from circulation over the next 10 - 20 years - Memorial cents, eagle back quarters, copper cents, not to mention all the varieties. I particularly look for copper pennies, wide am pennies, clad b reverse quarters and many other varities. Never found a clad b reverse quarter in circulation but I still look.

lordmarcovan

<< <i>When sifting through pocket change, what do you look for? >>

I look for Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollars, Chain cents, and early half-eagles.

So far I haven't been successful, though. I'm not sure why.

















Seriously, tho', pre-1960 nickels is what I've had the most luck with, out of circulation.

TheCoinGeezer

Wheat cents, copper Lincolns, silver, pre-1960 nickels.

secondrepublic

only 1982 and earlier copper pennies.

3sidesofsilver

What ajaan and others look for - wheat cents, silver, pre-60 jeffs and 68-70 S mint jeffs, don't know why, just like em. Found an AU58 1959 jeff in this mornings change, don't know where that shiny rascal came from, but likely from a liberated collection.

2Old2GrowUp

Found a 1984 double ear lincoln a year or so ago sold it for $80. but I look for silver pre 60 nickels and copper

DrBuster

Silver and foreign, that's it.