A lurker finally speaking up

[Scott W]

I have been watching the goings-on here for a while. You seem like a close group that is willing to pass some things learned along the way down to others. Also many regions of the USA are recognized on here.

I started getting boxes of half dollars in January. I have now gone through 20 boxes, and came up with 2 90% (one being a Franklin) and 6 40%'ers. I can't help but notice that many of you exceed that in one box!

I wish I knew if my success rate is accurate for the situation here in Southeast Washington state, or I am just caught up in a down trend.

What would be a good number of boxes to gauge the situation? I am getting 2 boxes per week from 2 different banks. One bank has marked coins, holed coins, and garbage like gum and rubber bands in them. The other bank has many clean coins from the 80's in theirs. They both seem to have about the same amount of silver.

I fared a little better with CWR, but I soon worked my way through the supply taking 30 or 40 rolls at a time.

I realize silver is up in value right now, and more people are looking for it. I also understand how many sets of eyes a coin passes through from the bank to the box. I also know I am in a population base of less than 500,000. Despite all that, I would have guessed there would be more silver floating around than what I have found.

What do you think about this situation?

 

[timbobwey]

First off, let me say welcome Scott, it's an interesting hobby. It's tough to really say when and where you will hit a good score, and how much you have to search to do it as well. The more you search, the more likely you are to hit a good bunch of coins. Personally, boxes haven't done me very well, I have much better luck with CWR. I see a lot of people on here that search like 8-10 boxes a week, and the results vary. Kinda the same with CWR, but every now and then u can hit solid silver rolls. With boxes your never gonna hit a solid roll of silver, but you can find some great boxes loaded with the goods. I haven't found one yet though.
To sum it up, it's a hobby that is based on luck. There is some strategy to it, and you will develope your own technique with how u do things. It's really all down to being at the right bank at the right time, or getting the right boxes at the right time. I also search machine bags, and they have done well for me, but u can't order them. It's just whenever a bank has a bag that's full, and they don't always sell them to you, just depends on the bank.
Good luck, but just be patient, and consistant. Happy hunting

 

[quiksilver]

How many boxes to get depends on your patience , your acceptence of supply banks to order , and your ability to dump.

 

[Scott W]

I see that some people do the number of boxes in one week that I have done in 2 months. I cannot imagine how one can manage to dump that many coins.

Dumping for me is relatively painless, as they go to a casino. There is no charge, but I always tip the gals $5, and so far they are happy to see me. I dump the same $1k twice a week, and usually get a different clerk. The big cost is driving there and back, along with the 'investments' in their slot machines. I always shoot a little in one, so I can honestly say I'm a player, and needed to cash in some coin to keep going.

I am comfortable at the level I'm at now, and probably would not increase the number of boxes even I could afford to do so.

 

[fistfulladirt]

Hey Scott, I've ordered boxes of halves for three years, my biggest score was 27 silvers. The rest of my finds PALE in comparison. ffd

 

[mlayers]

I would like to welcome you Scott. Finding silver is the luck of the draw. If you get to the right bank and get the right boxes. I order 2 boxes for 3 different banks right not. That is now counting the dimes and nickels that I do. I set a goal for me I like to find 10 silver pieces a week. So far I have made it. When it is getting close to the end of the week I search more dimes and nickels. As my halfs has run out. If I don't have my 10 pieces by Saturday I take a road trip on weekend head north the next go east and so forth. Then by the next month I am hitting the banks that I hitted the month before. Then have dump banks in different towns so you can search and dump as you go along. Hope you have fun on the quest and happy CRHing......Matt

 

[weighit]

Hi Scott, as others have said, it isn't anything your doing wrong, or right, its luck. Some of my luck is pretty good, most of it isn't. I can get 2 or 3 boxes and get zip, then the next box has some silver. So far the best was just a few weeks ago with 42 keepers, 6 90% and the rest 40%. But that was nothing I did, it was luck. I get 2 boxes if they don't forget to order them for me from a Brinks supplied bank, and 1 box from a Loomis supplied bank. Neither one is any better than the other, unless I'm lucky that day. Keep trying, or maybe try asking another bank to order for you. One day your luck will change and you too will be the happy guy with a fist full of silver!!

 

[conpewter]

Hey Scott, sounds like you are doing better than me on boxes. Most people only post the good finds, as they are exciting to read about, those of us plugging away on skunk boxes don't bother. Also the the midwesterners and west coasters don't have it as good as the east coast people from what I've read. A lot of old coin gets dumped before people move out west. Though silver dollars were used more out west so you may have better chances when asking for "big dollars" at banks.

 

[Scott W]

Thanks to everyone that took time out for the encouraging words.

I plan to keep plugging away. I have found a '64 Kennedy, then a Ben Franklin a few weeks later. I would next like to find a Walker, or some kind of commemorative. I really should just be thankful for the opportunity to get boxes at all, as some are no longer able to do that.

I have some other good finds, such as 5 clad proofs, 75 or so NIF(HA!)C's, and some cool grease strikes I like to save.

There is always more to look for than just silver!

 

[CardsNCoins]

Welcome to the boards Scott.

If the casino 50 cent slot machines pay out in coin (and accept paper), why not try searching there? Sit at a machine, put in a $100 bill, and hit cash out.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

HH

Nick

 

[clovis97]

If the casino 50 cent slot machines pay out in coin (and accept paper), why not try searching there? Sit at a machine, put in a $100 bill, and hit cash out.

Now that is a good idea!!!!