Best way to search nickels?

[justicious]

Should I look at each coin? Do some sort of edge surfing? tips? Banks were out of dimes so i took 1 box of nickels because the only had 1 box.

 

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[n8dagr8345]

Some claim to be able to edge sort nicks. I can not do it with enough speed. The only times I have searched nickels I checked every coin. I checked for war nicks and obviously buffaloes or earlier.
n8

 

[Farchaus2k]

I do around 3 - 5 boxes of nickels a week. Unfortunately date searching is the only real way to find the keepers.

 

[minkybodl]

Only good way I know is to check each coin's date. If you are just looking for the silver, generally the war nickels turn a darker color and you can also just look at the backs for the mintmark. IMHO it is worth it to check each coin for 38,39, and 50 dates as well as any pre-60's in good condition. Just skimming through them quickly could miss the near perfect uncirculated older coin.
Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

 

[justicious]

found these silver and these pre 1960

 

[Farchaus2k]

Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

AMEN

 

[madwest]

If you are only looking for silver and buffalos, you don't have to date check.

You can greatly improve your efficiency by looking at only one side of the coin - whichever side is facing you.

If you are facing the obverse, look at the date.

If you are facing the reverse, look for the mint mark. If you see a large D/P/S above the dome, its a keeper. If you see a small D or small S to the right of the dome, flip it over and check the date to see if it is a keeper if you want to. If there is a no mint mark on the reverse but the toning or depth of relief seems "different," flip it over and check the date if you want to.

You will miss some older date Philly nickels this way but if you are in it mostly for Ag, you'll get through nickels 30% faster. Obviously, you'll find foreigns, Buffalos, and V nickels this way just like you would date checking.