fiatboy
Bronze Member
- Jan 28, 2007
- 1,305
- 11
I've been working at the coin shop for three days now. It's insane how much I've learned. I can't possibly post all of the insights I've had, but here are a few:
1. There are more coin roll hunters than I realized, but many are interested in the state quarters or filling up books. Finding silver tends to be a secondary pursuit for most, but they are aware of which coins are silver.
2. Coins found in the wild, with few exceptions, won't really sell for too much. Forget about price guides! They overvalue common coins. If you want something special, have an LJ-style hoard of silver.
3. Armored truck services do indeed search coins, but only when they can get away with it.
4. With the exception of the state quarters, more people are buying than selling--especially Morgans and Peace dollars.
5. The saving of pre-82 Canadian nickels hasn't hit mainstream coin collecting yet, but I think it will in a few years. Lots of interest is gathering around these coins, but no buyers--yet.
6. Selling 90%ers will typically get you a better silver per dollar ratio than 40%ers.
7. Indian heads and wheaties are surprisingly strong.
8. Despite the occasional rumor to the contrary, dateless buffalo nickels are worth more than face.
If you have any questions about anything, just ask.
So far I really like the job. Basically, I sort coins, buy collections, chat with customers and dealers, fill orders, research coins, and watch everything like a hawk. It's pretty wild sometimes. For instance, the other day I had to sort BU Morgans and Walking Liberties. Actually getting to see and handle large quantities of Large Cents, St. Gaudens double eagles, Shield Nickels, and the like can really make my head spin. There's something surreal about moving around boxes of Mercs. The ancient coins and the foreign coins are pretty interesting, too. In some ways, it's really demystified coin collecting. In another way, I've really come to appreciate the purity of coin roll hunting.
Since I'm working full time at the coin shop, I haven't been able to coin hunt. I start work before the banks open and close up shop after they close. I'm sure you can figure out what I'll be doing when I finally get a day off!
Happy Hunting!
1. There are more coin roll hunters than I realized, but many are interested in the state quarters or filling up books. Finding silver tends to be a secondary pursuit for most, but they are aware of which coins are silver.
2. Coins found in the wild, with few exceptions, won't really sell for too much. Forget about price guides! They overvalue common coins. If you want something special, have an LJ-style hoard of silver.
3. Armored truck services do indeed search coins, but only when they can get away with it.
4. With the exception of the state quarters, more people are buying than selling--especially Morgans and Peace dollars.
5. The saving of pre-82 Canadian nickels hasn't hit mainstream coin collecting yet, but I think it will in a few years. Lots of interest is gathering around these coins, but no buyers--yet.
6. Selling 90%ers will typically get you a better silver per dollar ratio than 40%ers.
7. Indian heads and wheaties are surprisingly strong.
8. Despite the occasional rumor to the contrary, dateless buffalo nickels are worth more than face.
If you have any questions about anything, just ask.
So far I really like the job. Basically, I sort coins, buy collections, chat with customers and dealers, fill orders, research coins, and watch everything like a hawk. It's pretty wild sometimes. For instance, the other day I had to sort BU Morgans and Walking Liberties. Actually getting to see and handle large quantities of Large Cents, St. Gaudens double eagles, Shield Nickels, and the like can really make my head spin. There's something surreal about moving around boxes of Mercs. The ancient coins and the foreign coins are pretty interesting, too. In some ways, it's really demystified coin collecting. In another way, I've really come to appreciate the purity of coin roll hunting.
Since I'm working full time at the coin shop, I haven't been able to coin hunt. I start work before the banks open and close up shop after they close. I'm sure you can figure out what I'll be doing when I finally get a day off!
Happy Hunting!
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(although I do get one on jewelry). I do indeed get first dibs on coins coming in, but honestly, there are too many choices. I've always been interested in the higher end coins like gold and platinum, but that's a very different kind of collecting. That kind of paradigm is what I primarily deal with, which I love, but it has little to do with coin hunting. The customers that come in to sell, however, are sometimes coin hunters, and talking to them is by far the most thrilling part of work. I like hearing their coin hunting stories. It's amazing. Probably my most important job duty is just lending an ear. Old folks, especially, love to tell stories about collecting long ago, and I'm more than happy to listen. I fully realize now how the pleasure of coin roll hunting comes from the hunt. There is no thrill of the hunt when I'm standing in a vault full of barbers, morgans, and trimes. 
Nice to meet you!
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