First Time Coin Hunting

[useramg]

Hello,

I first came into CRH when I decided to save a box of nickels for their future melt value but I quickly realized that I might as well search them also. I read in a few places that many people keep either 1959 or older or somewhere in the 1960's, but I just decided to keep all the 1960's What is your opinion on this? I labeled a photo of the nickels I found. Sorry if it's hard to understand or read, I didn't originally take the photo intending to upload it. I was not too sure what to look for but I found 3 - 1930's, 11 - 1940's, and 11 - 1950's. I did find a 1942 but it isn't a war nickel. Also, the 1938 nickel I found is in very good condition (I'm not used to the official grading scale yet) and I would appreciate any feedback on that coin and the rest of my find in general. I have also uploaded two close ups (as good as I could get) of the 1938-D. I have ordered a box of $500 halves that I will be searching on Monday.

Thank you for your thoughts, I'm very excited to continue this new found hobby!

Adam

 

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[NaturalJWL]

Take good pics of the 42, front and back.

There were some counterfeit nickles made around that time frame.

Henning Nickles I believe.

 

[BuffaloBoy]

Nice finds! I do search nickels pretty frequently, the 1942 nickel(non-war nickel) is an uncommon date as well as the 1938d! 1942 war nickels are also very uncommon... Only have gotten one 1938p in my CRH career of more than 20 boxes of $100. Keep it up, and look out for the year 1950d, that's the "key date" of the jefferson nickel and it is very hard to come by, I still need one for my collection along with a few other tough dates.

 

[useramg]

Thanks for the input, I'll keep an eye out for 'em!

 

[FingerGrime]

I don't really see any point in keeping all the 60s. Before long you will run out of money if you keep all of them. They made like 2.7 billion in 1964 alone.

Also, that is a super sweet '38D. Even poor condition ones are hard to come by in circulation. I have only found one in 352k nickels.

 

[useramg]

Wow it's good to know that I at least got one good one in my first batch! I was wondering why I was seeing so many '64s, I guess they made them for multiple years? I'll probably end up putting them back in. Thanks!

 

[rileyboy]

useramg,
Welcome to the hobby or CRHing and this forum. You found a great 1938-D nickel. From the photo, I would thing it's "Extremely Fine". If the steps were not worn off it would be at least "About Uncirculated". Hard to give you an exact grade from the pic, but those are my guesses. Keep all the pre 1960 nickels. If you are a collector, then fill your book with the 1960's nickels and throw the rest back. But, always be on the lookout for a better 1960's nickel to replace a scratched one in your collection. Hope this helps you.
rileyboy

 

[quiksilver]

in terms of saving for metal content you might find hoarding copper more cost effective then hoarding nickel for the time when we can sell easily to a smelter.

 

[CHAINCHOMP]

awesome finds!!! congrats!!!

 

[useramg]

Thanks for the responses,

Even for myself being new to CRHing I was surprised to see the '38d nickel. Glad to have it.

Like I said, sorry about the photos, I'll have to find a camera that takes close ups, the phone camera doesn't cut it! I will definitely keep the nicest '60 of every year, and replace them as I go through them. I'm also going to be doing some pennies in the near future. I know the ratio is greater for them than the nickels.
School doesn't allow much time (or money for that matter!) to hunt, but I'll get to it eventually.

I'll post my finds (if any) for my first half dollar box on Monday.

Adam

 

[Steve L.]

Adam,
Welcome and I wish you the best in your new hobby! I think you did very well on Nickels, the early year Jefferson nickels always give me a real rush!
Check that '42 again real closely. I kind of see a ghost image of a "P" on the reverse, hard to tell from the image given its state of wear. I'd hate for a war nickel to slip past you!
Best wishes,
Steve

 

[BuffaloBoy]

Good luck on your half dollar box!

Pennies... about a month ago I found my first indian penny in about 30 boxes, they are out there! I also average 15-23 wheats per box, most in the 40's and 50's and usually one or two older.

 

[useramg]

Yes I do see what you mean by the "p", I'll check more closely and let you know. That's amazing how many boxes you might have to go through to get an Indian Head. I remember when I will little my dad and I were walking along some abandoned railroad tracks (actually they weren't even there we just knew they used to be) and he found what I now know is an Indian Head penny. It was so exciting for me even back then. I guess finding a buffalo nickel under some old carpet didn't help either!

Adam