Has anyone ever purchased rare coins form a vending machine?

RYK · June 12, 2008 1:31AM

blu62vette · June 12, 2008 1:34AM

Coxe · June 12, 2008 1:36AM

I thought you were referring to those ones outside of Walmart with the common, worn Walking Lib halves. I guess anyone who needs to know what a widget is can look at that machine's selections.

UtahCoin · June 12, 2008 1:37AM

Doctor's break room??

LanLord · June 12, 2008 1:43AM

Actually, I think the answer may be a resounding YES!

Back in 1955, when you (if you) were to buy a pack of smokes from a vending machine (Montanta?) you would get 3 cents back in the wrapper, some of those were 55/55.

Therefore, yes, some people did purchase their rare coins froma vending machine!

ziggy29 · June 12, 2008 1:48AM

If that vending machine doesn't accept $1000 bills, you're going to be pumping money into it for a long time before something comes out!

ColonialCoinUnion · June 12, 2008 1:51AM

Just to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, this machine dispensed the coins IN THE SLABS, not raw.

guitarwes · June 12, 2008 1:53AM

I haven't purchased any coins out of vending machines since my $500 bill got stuck in the bill acceptor slot.

wes

adamlaneus · June 12, 2008 1:53AM

Machine on right is still purchasing sight unseen. I'd rather see the slabs in the first row from the bottom on the machine on the left.

Of course, you'd get some fool rocking the machine back and forth because it failed to give him his coin...

BobbyDees · June 12, 2008 1:53AM

when I go to Dave and busters I always try to get walkers and morgans with the crane or you can get them outright with 30,000 points from skee ball(about $300 or more if you are good)
bobby

Walmann · June 12, 2008 1:56AM

Did once and wouldn't do it again. Gave the change back in th form of Skittles and Cheez its.

SpaceMonkey · June 12, 2008 1:57AM

<< Just to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, this machine dispensed the coins IN THE SLABS, not raw. >>

that's ok... i carry one of these with me everywhere i go

-sm

cmerlo1 · June 12, 2008 2:12AM

Actually, when I was a kid, Winn's dept. store had a $.25 gumball machine that contained coins in capsules instead of gumballs. Almost all were Lincolns, but there were also a few Mercury dimes and Buffalo nickels. That machine helped get me started in coins, and I spent many quarters there (not knowing that, at the time, a Lincoln wheat from the 40's was worth face). Later, when I worked for Dave & Buster's managing their video arcades, we had a game called 'Whistle Stop'. It dispensed a variety of prizes, including some coins including Barber quarters, Walkers, etc. (all low grade). They were the most popular item, and we had a bunch of regulars who would sit in front of the machine for hours, playing until they'd won all of the coins.

rhedden · June 12, 2008 2:19AM

I tried to buy some early gold out of one of those dang Coin Rarities vending machines at my local gas station, and the 1796 Eagle that fell out rolled across the parking lot and fell into a storm drain. I want a refund!

Coxe · June 12, 2008 2:47AM

They should have a slab cracker on the machine like the old bottle opener on the soda machines before twist-offs and tabs came about.

ziggy29 · June 12, 2008 2:51AM

<< They should have a slab cracker on the machine like the old bottle opener on the soda machines before twist-offs and tabs came about. >>

If they ever sold coins in SEGS slabs, they'd need to include a stick of dynamite with each purchase.

Tvac897 · June 12, 2008 2:55AM

Lol no.

BobGreene · June 12, 2008 5:20AM

I wanted to upgrade one of my Bust Halves at the CRO machine, so my fed it into the slot thinking that if I put in just a few more hundred dollars I'll get my new, higher graded half. The dern machine STILL wanted me to put in the full sale price of the coin!

WTCG · June 12, 2008 5:21AM

The last place I ever saw coins being sold out of a vending machine was in Reno, NV around 2002 or so. They were selling BU Franklin Halves and Walker Halves in circulated condition. They were housed in cardboard 2x2 holders.

MikeInFL · June 12, 2008 5:26AM

Has anyone ever purchased something from a vending machine using rare coins?

BECOKA · June 12, 2008 5:32AM

This might work in place of a table at a coin show.

Geoman · June 12, 2008 6:04AM

Funny you mention this, as at my local mall they just put in a machine where you use a hook to grab coins and other "antique/collectable" itmes. Usually, there is stuffed animals in the case. But now there are coins. I need to take a picture of it next time I am at the mall. I wonder how fast it empties out.

Barry · June 12, 2008 6:17AM

I tried, but the machine rejected my SBAs and Sac Dollars.

tcmitssr · June 12, 2008 8:01AM

You really have too much time on your hands, you know that....don't you?

SeattleSlammer · June 12, 2008 8:57AM

good stuff

Dave99B · June 12, 2008 9:03AM

Does a slot machine count?

Dave

ricko · June 12, 2008 9:09AM

Is that machine real? Or is it just a photo-gag? Cheers, RickO

StrikeOutXXX · June 12, 2008 9:19AM

Sort of... a few months ago, I was staying overnight with my sister in the hospital. About 2am, I was on a soda/coffee run and heard the familiar sound of "silver" going into an older soda machine off the patient lounge. Well, after he left, I threw in 5 quarters for a soda, noting which ones they were, and hit the change return. I got 5 different quarters back. Well, you guessed it... 35 minutes later, I cycled 5 quarters about 150 times, but out popped a '64 Washington quarter finally. The pisser of it all was I only had 5 quarters, so once I got the silver one out, I couldn't even get a soda for myself!

IGWT · June 12, 2008 10:35AM

ColonialCoinUnion · June 12, 2008 10:52AM

<< Is that machine real? Or is it just a photo-gag? Cheers, RickO >>

That machine - and another 8 just like it - were part of a test market we did years ago.

Ultimately, this concept didn't work out too well, as we discovered that customers for rare coins do not like to purchase such items from a machine that is next to a machine in which you can purchase Skittles.

Longacre · June 12, 2008 10:56AM

Branding at its best. I see a world-wide license for that machine. Is there a good international tax lawyer in the house to structure the transaction?

adamlaneus · June 12, 2008 10:58AM

Do you stock it with palettes of cheap rare coins from Costco?

Sunshine Rare Coins · June 12, 2008 11:21AM

if you were at the site yesterday, you would have seen the CRO blimp!

halfhunter · June 12, 2008 11:25AM

Got a '52-D dime back from the Coke machine at work yesterday. Made my day!

Regards, John

Broadstruck · June 12, 2008 11:31AM

<< Actually, I think the answer may be a resounding YES!

Back in 1955, when you (if you) were to buy a pack of smokes from a vending machine (Montanta?) you would get 3 cents back in the wrapper, some of those were 55/55.

Therefore, yes, some people did purchase their rare coins froma vending machine! >>

As I recall Lucky Strike Co. had gotten a good share of the 55DDO cent bags, and was giving 2 cents back with each pack.

Broadstruck · June 12, 2008 11:33AM

<< 

<< Is that machine real? Or is it just a photo-gag? Cheers, RickO >>

That machine - and another 8 just like it - were part of a test market we did years ago.

Ultimately, this concept didn't work out too well, as we discovered that customers for rare coins do not like to purchase such items from a machine that is next to a machine in which you can purchase Skittles. >>

Yes but with the machine on the right you could do more then just taste the rainbow!

ricko · June 12, 2008 10:56PM

Very interesting.. I had no idea that was tried...does not give much opportunity for evaluating your purchase before hand.... Was there a return policy?? Cheers, RickO

53BKid · June 12, 2008 11:09PM

<< Has anyone ever purchased something from a vending machine using rare coins? >>

Yes. I have a 1954 Coke machine. I only use silver dimes. LOL

jdillane · June 13, 2008 1:49AM

As a kid, I would feed quarters into a vending machine at a coin store in SE MI. Usually got satirical notes with political figures of the day or circulated buffalo nickels. Still have many of the notes with Nixon, Muskie, Humphrey and others.

RYK · June 14, 2008 8:03AM

IGWT · June 14, 2008 8:09AM

Geeks and wieners.

But after reading the Miller's Mint thread, perhaps "weiner" is more appropriate than "wiener."

Has anyone ever purchased rare coins form a vending machine?

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