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I was thinking of buying some penny rolls. Are there any helpful hints for a beginner?
Thanks.image

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    tjkilliantjkillian Posts: 5,578 ✭✭✭
    Yes, stick to uncirculated, original rolls. I would start with the keys, such as 1877 Indian cents and 1914-D Lincoln cents. They have held their value over time. Make sure they are completely red, with no spots or discoloration. Examine each coin carefully.
    Tom

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    << <i>Yes, stick to uncirculated, original rolls. I would start with the keys, such as 1877 Indian cents and 1914-D Lincoln cents. They have held their value over time. Make sure they are completely red, with no spots or discoloration. Examine each coin carefully. >>



    sarcasm is better understood with a image at the end
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    << <i>Yes, stick to uncirculated, original rolls. I would start with the keys, such as 1877 Indian cents and 1914-D Lincoln cents. They have held their value over time. Make sure they are completely red, with no spots or discoloration. Examine each coin carefully. >>



    Forgive me if this is a silly question. If the coins are in rolls how do you exam them?
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    WindycityWindycity Posts: 3,603 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nothing like a little sarcasm... yes... buy original roll and have fun looking through them. Look for errors, over mint marks and high grade coins. A few rolls can give you hours of relaxation.

    <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.mullencoins.com">Mullen Coins Website - Windycity Coin website
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    Oh image
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    WhaT % OF EBAY ROLLS CLAIMED TO BE ORIGINAL ARE ACCURATELY DISCRIBED?
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    RWRW Posts: 485
    I couldn't tell you the percentages, but find a seller who looks reputable and then buy some of his rolls. If they seem unmessed with then keep buying from him. It also helps to try and buy in bulk to save on shipping.
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    pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    What are you hoping to find? High quality unc's? Varieties like rpm's and doubled dies?
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
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    Looking for quality.
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    pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    Just buy a few inexpensive rolls, different sellers with good feedback, see what you get.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
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    dcamp78dcamp78 Posts: 1,082 ✭✭
    Just go to your bank and buy a $25 box. That should keep you busy for a while...
    Big Dave
    -------------------------
    Good trades with: DaveN, Tydye, IStillLikeZARCoins, Fjord, Louie, BRdude
    Good buys from: LordMarcovan, Aethelred, Ajaan, PrivateCoinCollector, LindeDad, Peaceman, Spoon, DrJules, jjrrww
    Good sale to: Nicholasz219
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    fivecentsfivecents Posts: 11,207 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>WhaT % OF EBAY ROLLS CLAIMED TO BE ORIGINAL ARE ACCURATELY DISCRIBED? >>

    Your best bet is buying original bank wrapped shotgun rolls on ebay.
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    gene2393gene2393 Posts: 769 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Just go to your bank and buy a $25 box. That should keep you busy for a while... >>



    thats how i got started. found 23 my first time


    gene2393
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    garsmithgarsmith Posts: 5,894 ✭✭
    <<WhaT % OF EBAY ROLLS CLAIMED TO BE ORIGINAL ARE ACCURATELY DISCRIBED?>>

    The rools are original, the coins inside are not image
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    As your buying rolls you can learn a lot from the wraps themselves also, which can help give a clue to what may be inside. If it is truely OBW roll often you can tell from the ends if they where tampered with or not. (to make them look as if they are obw) It doesn't hurt to ask, and they may not have an answer for you, but none the less, how they have been stored. It would be easier if you are looking at the rolls in person vs from a pic, but some people are very good at describing also.

    Good Luck!
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    rmpsrpmsrmpsrpms Posts: 1,976 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My experience buying rolls on eBay is that ~50% are accurately described, high quality rolls. Look out for "weasel word" descriptions. If the coins are in an original, unopened, unsearched, bankwrapped roll (in other words, machine-wrapped by a bank) then the seller will generally know this is a selling point and say so. Words like "in the original bank wrapper" or "original bank rolls" may be an indication to stay away. Then again, even if they say the right words there is no guarantee they are telling the truth. Another thing to look for is an actual bank name on the wrapper. Paper rolls by Brandt and others were (and are) available to the public for hand or machine-wrapping. Rolls with actual bank markings give you a slightly lower risk that they are not original, but again no guarantees. Bright end coins are rare in original rolls, but I've purchased well-stored rolls that I absolutely knew were original that were full mint red / un-toned on the roll end coins. On the other extreme, don't shy away from rolls with darkly-toned end coins. I've rarely opened a truly original roll with dark-toned ends that was not full of beautiful coins, usually full mint red except for their edges, and occasionally have ran across a well-toned roll. Good luck, and let us all know the results of your treasure hunting!
    PM me for coin photography equipment, or visit my website:

    http://macrocoins.com
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    cladkingcladking Posts: 30,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Don't ignore rolls just because they aren't original. Many of these will be picked over
    but even when they are searched for gems they may not be searched for varieties. A
    few of these rolls were actually cherry picked from larger accumulations so will be superior
    to original rolls.

    With later date rolls remember that the bid price is often determined by the odds of finding
    specific varieties or gems. Adjust your price accordingly when you know a roll is different.

    Most rolls were assembled from bags and these bags would have only ten or twelve die
    pair represented in it. This means each roll from a bag will tend to be very similar in comp-
    osition to every other roll from the bag. Rolls can be spot checked and the balance sold
    if there is nothing of interest in them. In other words, even original rolls can be checked.

    Chasing down nice coins from rolls is an art form and luck won't hurt.

    Good luck.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.

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