Do you see many Kennedy Halves in Circulation? You should.

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1630Boston
1630Boston Posts: 14,157 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited January 29, 2024 1:19PM in U.S. Coin Forum

2023 Kennedy Half Dollar Mintage Highest Since 1983

In addition to cents, nickels, dimes, and quarters, the U.S. Mint also produces dollars and half dollars in circulating quality. While the Federal Reserve no longer orders Native American $1 coins, the U.S. Mint continues to make them in circulating quality for numismatic products sold to coin collectors. This practice was also true for Kennedy half dollars until recently, specifically starting in 2021.

Typically, in January, the U.S. Mint produces both denominations in the expected amounts needed for the entire year. However, this remains the case only for Native American dollars, as Kennedy halves saw their mintages increase in multiple months in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

In the fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the Federal Reserve unexpectedly ordered millions of Kennedy half dollars for circulation. They were also produced for general circulation in 2023, with the total struck increasing significantly: 13.19 million in November, 19.71 million in October, 6.3 million in September, 4.8 million in August, 3.2 million in July, 1.7 million in May, 2.5 million in April, 2.2 million in March, and 4.4 million in January.

from CoinNews.net https://www.coinnews.net/2024/01/19/u-s-mint-produces-11-38-billion-coins-for-circulation-in-2023-lowest-since-2012/

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Comments

  • BryceM
    BryceM Posts: 11,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 29, 2024 1:30PM
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    Interesting. I wonder where they're all going....... Maybe just supplying all the roll searchers?? ;)

    Certainly they aren't circulating around where I live. In the 1980s I'd get them in change occasionally. Now, when I try to spend them people act like they've never seen one before.

  • DBSTrader2
    DBSTrader2 Posts: 3,551 ✭✭✭✭
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    I don't see any in circulation or at my banks, and I have to beg for help just keeping current with them each year, since I'd hate to break my streak of years collected for that coin. But I really dislike when the Mint produces & then doesn't circulate coins - - just saving them to overcharge collectors for. Just stop producing them.......... :/ (yeah, I know.... seignorage.....)

  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,253 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I cannot remember seeing either a Kennedy Half, an Eisenhower Dollar nor an SBA Dollar EVER given me in change in the last 50 years. Maybe an SBA 40 years ago, but was probably given out as a quarter. I have often gotten rolls from the bank, but never in change.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • World67
    World67 Posts: 13,098 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Back in the 80's the coin shop I used to visit often gave out Kennedy's in change as well as dateless buffs and common wheats.

  • privatecoin
    privatecoin Posts: 3,853 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That's the largest mintage since 1996. Definitely an interesting question of what their plan is on needing that many.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,096 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I got 2 2021s by luck by asking when I saw them otherwise I never see them

  • Project Numismatics
    Project Numismatics Posts: 1,886 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I’ve always wondered where the halves go. I’ve never received one.

    I do recall receiving golden dollars as change on some train station ticket machines over the years.

    The golden dollars are used extensively in Ecuador where the official currency is the US dollar.

  • MarkKelley
    MarkKelley Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I get four $500 boxes of halves weekly from my bank. A year or so ago for three weeks in a row, they were ALL 2021-P dated coins. Since then, I've gotten many more, but not all at once like that. I've also gotten dozens of rolls of 2022-P and 2023-D coins. And, just to keep things interesting, a few weeks ago I got an entire box of 1997-D coins. God only knows where these had been hiding for 27 years.

  • World67
    World67 Posts: 13,098 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @MarkKelley said:
    I get four $500 boxes of halves weekly from my bank. A year or so ago for three weeks in a row, they were ALL 2021-P dated coins. Since then, I've gotten many more, but not all at once like that. I've also gotten dozens of rolls of 2022-P and 2023-D coins. And, just to keep things interesting, a few weeks ago I got an entire box of 1997-D coins. God only knows where these had been hiding for 27 years.

    How do you cash those in?

  • PipestonePete
    PipestonePete Posts: 1,987 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jesbroken said:
    I cannot remember seeing either a Kennedy Half, an Eisenhower Dollar nor an SBA Dollar EVER given me in change in the last 50 years. Maybe an SBA 40 years ago, but was probably given out as a quarter. I have often gotten rolls from the bank, but never in change.
    Jim

    I received a Kennedy half dollar in change this past weekend at an antique shop.

  • element159
    element159 Posts: 594 ✭✭✭
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    @Project Numismatics said:
    I’ve always wondered where the halves go. I’ve never received one.

    I do recall receiving golden dollars as change on some train station ticket machines over the years.

    The golden dollars are used extensively in Ecuador where the official currency is the US dollar.

    The halves also circulate in Ecuador, maybe these are going there and/or other countries where the US dollar is used.

  • MarkKelley
    MarkKelley Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Manifest_Destiny said:

    @MarkKelley said:
    I get four $500 boxes of halves weekly from my bank. A year or so ago for three weeks in a row, they were ALL 2021-P dated coins. Since then, I've gotten many more, but not all at once like that. I've also gotten dozens of rolls of 2022-P and 2023-D coins. And, just to keep things interesting, a few weeks ago I got an entire box of 1997-D coins. God only knows where these had been hiding for 27 years.

    How do you cash those in?

    I take 'em to a different bank in sealed $1000 bags.

  • Jimnight
    Jimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I haven't seen a Kennedy half dollar in circulation in quite some time.

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,172 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    No. My bank saves me all of the $2 bills, dollar coins and half dollars that they get in, and they almost never have any halves.

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • Dug13
    Dug13 Posts: 340 ✭✭✭✭
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    About a month ago, I used one as part of payment for lunch at the company cafeteria, both cashiers had to do a double take and asked if it was a dollar. Both said they have never seen one. ( both ladies were in early 30's).

    Wall of HONOR transaction list:WonderCoin, CoinFlip, Masscrew, Travintiques, lordmarcovan, Jinx86, Gerard, ElKevvo, PROMETHIUSS88.

  • bsshog40
    bsshog40 Posts: 4,037 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Last time I seen kennedys was about 4 yrs ago. My wife use to be a manager at home goods. When she was counting cash boxes one night, she pulled out about a half a dozen 40%'ers.

  • 124Spider
    124Spider Posts: 1,270 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It's exceedingly rare that I use cash for a purchase, so it is exceedingly unlikely that I ever again will see a half dollar in circulation.

  • CRHer700
    CRHer700 Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @291fifth said:
    Joeycoins placed a large order! ;)

    No, it was me! I needed to get my totals up! :D

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • CRHer700
    CRHer700 Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I seriously think that all the new demand comes from us roll searchers having picked all the silver out in the last twenty years. I mean twenty years ago there were a lot more silvers out there. Just go over to Treasure Net and read their coin roll hunting forum from its beginning in 2006. You’ll see that roll searching in halves seemed to peak around 2008-2010, before finds tapered off and most of them quit the hobby after 2012. Us stragglers have really cleaned up recently as well, especially @Kurisu . My past maybe $5000 worth of halves have had no silver. I’m still trying though, and will be till I can’t anymore. On with the hunt! Silver! Silver! Silver! Silver! Silver!
    I can hear you cheering with me! Silver! Silver! :D

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • cladking
    cladking Posts: 30,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @1630Boston said:
    2023 Kennedy Half Dollar Mintage Highest Since 1983

    In addition to cents, nickels, dimes, and quarters, the U.S. Mint also produces dollars and half dollars in circulating quality. While the Federal Reserve no longer orders Native American $1 coins, the U.S. Mint continues to make them in circulating quality for numismatic products sold to coin collectors. This practice was also true for Kennedy half dollars until recently, specifically starting in 2021.

    Typically, in January, the U.S. Mint produces both denominations in the expected amounts needed for the entire year. However, this remains the case only for Native American dollars, as Kennedy halves saw their mintages increase in multiple months in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

    In the fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the Federal Reserve unexpectedly ordered millions of Kennedy half dollars for circulation. They were also produced for general circulation in 2023, with the total struck increasing significantly: 13.19 million in November, 19.71 million in October, 6.3 million in September, 4.8 million in August, 3.2 million in July, 1.7 million in May, 2.5 million in April, 2.2 million in March, and 4.4 million in January.

    from CoinNews.net https://www.coinnews.net/2024/01/19/u-s-mint-produces-11-38-billion-coins-for-circulation-in-2023-lowest-since-2012/

    Mebbe the waffled half dollars from China are being salted with real ones now days. ;)

    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • Sapyx
    Sapyx Posts: 2,619 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    People keep ordering boxes of half dollars. The banks, and therefore the Reserve Bank and Treasury, have no alternative but to interpret this as demand for the coins in circulation, and therefore order more production from the Mint.

    They are unaware that virtually all of this "demand" is created purely from treasure-hunters, who do not actually want to spend or use half dollars but who wish to search through the boxes of already-existing half dollars for silver and who don't actually want the government to produce more coins, as these new coins are unwanted by them and do nothing except dilute the silver still out there.

    Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
    Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"

    Apparently I have been awarded the DPOTD twice. B)
  • oih82w8
    oih82w8 Posts: 13,212 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have used them and Ike's as tips when we go out to eat...but it has been a while.

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • Kurisu
    Kurisu Posts: 2,228 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @CRHer700 said:
    I seriously think that all the new demand comes from us roll searchers having picked all the silver out in the last twenty years. I mean twenty years ago there were a lot more silvers out there. Just go over to Treasure Net and read their coin roll hunting forum from its beginning in 2006. You’ll see that roll searching in halves seemed to peak around 2008-2010, before finds tapered off and most of them quit the hobby after 2012. Us stragglers have really cleaned up recently as well, especially @Kurisu . My past maybe $5000 worth of halves have had no silver. I’m still trying though, and will be till I can’t anymore. On with the hunt! Silver! Silver! Silver! Silver! Silver!
    I can hear you cheering with me! Silver! Silver! :D

    Sometimes it's a few boxes in a row with no silver and then it's everywhere for a few boxes.
    I was really surprised just a couple weeks ago when a box that looked like it was all fresh 2023 rolls turned out to actually be nearly all 2023s but had a bunch of silver mixed in that was mostly Franklins!

    Lots of rolls that looked like this when I opened them...

    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

  • BLUEJAYWAY
    BLUEJAYWAY Posts: 11,798 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    One of my local metal recycling centers has been paying out with a Kennedy, when the change merits it, for many years. The only time I receive one anywhere, when I bring metal to the center.

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • Extremeengineer
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    @Manifest_Destiny said:
    I still doubt we'll see any in circulation though.

    I received one in change at one of the casinos here in MI.

  • Fraz
    Fraz Posts: 2,118 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    One hire in every store tells the rest of the employees to save the halves.

  • olympicsos
    olympicsos Posts: 990 ✭✭✭✭
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    They're definitely being ordered for Ecuador and El Salvador. There's no way coin roll hunters should amount to much.

  • ndeagles
    ndeagles Posts: 418 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    When I was in college there was a street food vendor that priced his combo at $4.50, he would always give a half dollar as change. Most people put the halves into his tip jar, I always kept the half and gave a dollar bill.

  • VTchaser
    VTchaser Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
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    I just dumped 2,000 back into circulation, so hope that helps lol

    Successful transactions with: robkool, Walkerguy21D, JimW, Bruce7789, massscrew, Jinx86, jonasdenenbergllc, Yorkshireman, bobsr, tommyrusty7, markelman1125, Kliao, DBSTrader2, SurfinxHI, ChrisH821, CoinHoarder, Bolo, MICHAELDIXON, bigtime36, JWP, 1960NYGiants, fishteeth

  • Tom147
    Tom147 Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Personally, I think when people do get halves in change, they just take them home and they go " in the change jar ". Now who here doesn't have a " change jar " ?

  • DrBuster
    DrBuster Posts: 5,446 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 30, 2024 6:28PM
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    I spent a couple in the past 2 weeks or so with tips, always enjoyed. Folks with kids love them and I tell them to put them in the piggy banks.

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,868 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    In these parts I don't think I've ever seen a Kennedy half circulating, wish it weren't so.

  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,253 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Not very many coin trays in cash registers even have a opening for halves and certainly not dollars. Tough on companies who therefore aren't likely to pickup any at the bank.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • Bochiman
    Bochiman Posts: 25,790 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I found some 2023 halves in December at my local casino (non-Nevada).
    I was a bit shocked.

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

  • BLUEJAYWAY
    BLUEJAYWAY Posts: 11,798 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Few years ago I got $220.00 worth of Kennedy's. Turned them over into the wild for purchases. Mainly at convenient stores for coffee,milk and other staples. Clerks took them, but a few gave me a quizzical look. Took awhile to dole them out.

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • jedm
    jedm Posts: 3,266 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Went to the movies last night and as usual I received a Kennedy half in change. I used it an hour later at the store. So in Columbus NE they still circulate.

  • CRHer700
    CRHer700 Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @VTchaser said:
    I just dumped 2,000 back into circulation, so hope that helps lol

    Do you search them? I’m asking because it appears that you are dumping a full box. If you would like to post your finds, you can do that in the coin roll and mint set thread. You’ll always be welcome there.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • skamieniecki
    skamieniecki Posts: 121 ✭✭✭
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    There is an automatic touchless car wash in Tacoma Washington that gives only Susie's, Sacajawea, and Presidential dollar coins in change for tens and twenties.

  • 1630Boston
    1630Boston Posts: 14,157 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jedm said:
    Went to the movies last night and as usual I received a Kennedy half in change. I used it an hour later at the store. So in Columbus NE they still circulate.

    That is amazing to me

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko

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  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,935 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Kennedy Half Dollars have been hoarded in quantity for many years, since the design was introduced in 1964. When I was dealer, I was amazed at the number of times I saw JFK half dollars in non collector accumulations.

    Keeping them made no sense. The were clad coins that contained no silver, and they had no numismatic value. Yet there they were. The owners were often amazed when I told them to the coins to the bank and get the face value for them.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • VTchaser
    VTchaser Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
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    @CRHer700 said:

    @VTchaser said:
    I just dumped 2,000 back into circulation, so hope that helps lol

    Do you search them? I’m asking because it appears that you are dumping a full box. If you would like to post your finds, you can do that in the coin roll and mint set thread. You’ll always be welcome there.

    Yes, i do search them. It was 2 boxes of $500 each. I also had a $500 quarter box, and a $25 box of pennies.

    1 40% kennedy, 5 W quarters, and a ton of wheaties ~20 with earliest at 1922.

    Successful transactions with: robkool, Walkerguy21D, JimW, Bruce7789, massscrew, Jinx86, jonasdenenbergllc, Yorkshireman, bobsr, tommyrusty7, markelman1125, Kliao, DBSTrader2, SurfinxHI, ChrisH821, CoinHoarder, Bolo, MICHAELDIXON, bigtime36, JWP, 1960NYGiants, fishteeth

  • cladking
    cladking Posts: 30,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    BU rolls are far tougher than many believe. some "common dates" wholesale as much as $32 per roll despite the lack of demand or respect. Of course the '82-P goes for $130 per roll but is rarely considered a common date.

    Nice attractive coins are quite elusive for many of these dates. BU roll coins where you can find them are poorly made and mint set coins have scratches or deep shallow gouges like the '80-D. Nice chBU '80-D half dollars are far tougher than many realize.

    If people were collecting these several really tough dates would emerge.

    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • Elmhurst
    Elmhurst Posts: 795 ✭✭✭
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    Got a 68 in change a few years ago, the chances of that happening again are slim to none, and Slim is out of town.

  • Jacques_Loungecoque
    Jacques_Loungecoque Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The only time I see them is when folks are down to their last nitty gritty change jar. That’s when you’ll see the Kennedys, Ike’s, SBAs, etc…. Often time I’ll see some proof coinage mixed in. Likely someone popped sets and just sacrificing it to get that last pack of smokes or whatever until payday.

    Having fun while switching things up and focusing on a next level PCGS slabbed 1950+ type set, while still looking for great examples for the 7070.

  • Elmhurst
    Elmhurst Posts: 795 ✭✭✭
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    @Jacques_Loungecoque said:
    The only time I see them is when folks are down to their last nitty gritty change jar. That’s when you’ll see the Kennedys, Ike’s, SBAs, etc…. Often time I’ll see some proof coinage mixed in. Likely someone popped sets and just sacrificing it to get that last pack of smokes or whatever until payday.

    That’s about it, just add the bicentennial quarters that have lost 75% to inflation.

  • CRHer700
    CRHer700 Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @VTchaser said:

    @CRHer700 said:

    @VTchaser said:
    I just dumped 2,000 back into circulation, so hope that helps lol

    Do you search them? I’m asking because it appears that you are dumping a full box. If you would like to post your finds, you can do that in the coin roll and mint set thread. You’ll always be welcome there.

    Yes, i do search them. It was 2 boxes of $500 each. I also had a $500 quarter box, and a $25 box of pennies.

    1 40% kennedy, 5 W quarters, and a ton of wheaties ~20 with earliest at 1922.

    5 Ws from a box! That’s exceptional! Also, that 1922-D cent is a very tough find in the wild. If you could, I would appreciate it if you post your finds in the coin roll and mint set thread so the other searchers can see what you have found.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • VTchaser
    VTchaser Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
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    @CRHer700 said:

    @VTchaser said:

    @CRHer700 said:

    @VTchaser said:
    I just dumped 2,000 back into circulation, so hope that helps lol

    Do you search them? I’m asking because it appears that you are dumping a full box. If you would like to post your finds, you can do that in the coin roll and mint set thread. You’ll always be welcome there.

    Yes, i do search them. It was 2 boxes of $500 each. I also had a $500 quarter box, and a $25 box of pennies.

    1 40% kennedy, 5 W quarters, and a ton of wheaties ~20 with earliest at 1922.

    5 Ws from a box! That’s exceptional! Also, that 1922-D cent is a very tough find in the wild. If you could, I would appreciate it if you post your finds in the coin roll and mint set thread so the other searchers can see what you have found.

    Will do! I don't hunt too often. I'll pickup 2 or 3 boxes when i know i'm going to have a slow weekend.

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