Weighing rolls for silver?

[Coppercrazy]

How many of you weigh your rolls on a .00 Gram scale to check for silver instead of taking them out and then having to reroll them? It seems like a good idea, but how accurate is it? The silver coins would be in the rolls that weighed more correct? It takes me about 25 seconds to search a roll of dimes and reroll it. Wouldn't it be easier and faster just to weight them?

 

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[gunner45]

How many of you weigh your rolls on a .00 Gram scale to check for silver instead of taking them out and then having to reroll them? It seems like a good idea, but how accurate is it? The silver coins would be in the rolls that weighed more correct? It takes me about 25 seconds to search a roll of dimes and reroll it. Wouldn't it be easier and faster just to weight them?

I never weigh, too many variables. Curiosity will always get the best of you if you don't check.

 

[fistfulladirt]

That would absolutely drive me nuts wondering if I ever missed a silver.

 

[Diver_Down]

You guys are slipping. It has been longer than 6 months since this question was asked last. Everyone reset your watches for March 31.

 

[boristhespider88]

I'm pretty sure that the people that sell the "unsearched" rolls of halves on eBay weigh them. The only problem you have to take into account is 40%ers in halves, but other than that, you'd be set to make some money off people on eBay. I don't think it's worth it though, or ethical. Other rolls of coins, I don't think you could really do it. I agree with gunner45, curiosity will ALWAYS get the best of you.

 

[Coppercrazy]

You guys are slipping. It has been longer than 6 months since this question was asked last. Everyone reset your watches for March 31.

I'm sorry, I'm just lazy.

 

[Numismaniac]

We've weighed them, but always opened them after. We had rolls that were lighter have a 40% probably due to wear on several coins in the roll. Heavier rolls usually had silver, but not always. Lots of variables as mentioned...

 

[FormerTeller]

Last week I got a box that had multiple 40% enders, so I started weighing them. Yeah, the heaviest ones had silver, but some of the rolls that fell in the upper end of the mid weight range had nothing, and some of the lightest rolls had 40%'s.

Weighing seems to be a good indication that you might have silver, but it's by no means foolproof. If you get a silver coin with lots of wear, it could weigh close to a clad. Better not to chance it.

 

[thripp]

You can weigh rolls for copper with cents, because the copper cents weigh significantly more (3.1 vs. 2.5 grams). But it's not very effective with halves, since the 40% coins are the same weight as the new ones.

 

[Easy]

I just use my cool X-ray glasses. I don't even have to open the box!

 

[CC-Hunter]

Slightly off-topic, but I'm shocked how much people pay on eBay for "unsearched" rolls of halves. There's a case to be made for just selling the boxed MWRs we pick up rather than searching them, given the low per box averages a lot of folks have, but I guess the curiousity would kill us.

 

[boristhespider88]

Slightly off-topic, but I'm shocked how much people pay on eBay for "unsearched" rolls of halves. There's a case to be made for just selling the boxed MWRs we pick up rather than searching them, given the low per box averages a lot of folks have, but I guess the curiousity would kill us.

Yep. It's ridiculous. I saw one where a guy paid well over $30 plus like $6 for shipping. One roll.

 

[Bigheed]

In theory if every roll was perfect you could find the 90% but you would miss the 40%, however even from Brinks etc, sometimes you'll have rolls with 21 coins and 19 coins, you would also miss the 40% since they are close in weight to CuNi halves. For dimes it could work but again the weight difference is so small + you have to figure in up to 1-2% loss of weight from wear and tear. Essentially it is just a waste of time to do on a regular basis or at all in my opinion.

90% = 12.5g
40% = 11.5g
CuNi = 11.34g

HH
Bigheed

 

[sheepdog_tx]

How many of you weigh your rolls on a .00 Gram scale to check for silver instead of taking them out and then having to reroll them? It seems like a good idea, but how accurate is it? The silver coins would be in the rolls that weighed more correct? It takes me about 25 seconds to search a roll of dimes and reroll it. Wouldn't it be easier and faster just to weight them?

But what is some kid takes a dime out and doesn't put one back in throwing off the weight? sorry I had to go there

 

[sagittarius98]

since the 40% coins are the same weight as the new ones.

40%ers are slightly heavier.

 

[sagittarius98]

It's a bad idea to weigh rolls:

1. weight
90% = 12.5g
40% = 11.5g
CuNi = 11.34g

A worn 40% will weigh about the same as a CuNi.

2. quantity
There could always be short rolls, even with MWR, so there could be a seated liberty in a 19 coin roll and you would miss it.

3. silver vs. clad
Some errors can be worth more than your whole silver stash, but you would miss them.

Lets look at quarters. A 1983-P quarter is clad. But in BU condition, you have a coin worth 10 silver quarters. By weighing a roll, you could miss that coin.


MORAL: Weighing rolls is unreliable.

 

[ArkieBassMan]

How many of you weigh your rolls on a .00 Gram scale to check for silver instead of taking them out and then having to reroll them? It seems like a good idea, but how accurate is it? The silver coins would be in the rolls that weighed more correct? It takes me about 25 seconds to search a roll of dimes and reroll it. Wouldn't it be easier and faster just to weight them?

When not pressed for time, I will sometimes weigh the rolls before opening them. For whatever reason, I enjoy saving the "good stuff" for last. Any rolls that weigh 226.0+ are saved for last. I've weighed maybe a grand total of only 20 boxes, and even in that small amount I can tell you that weighing rolls is a complete waste of time, and relying on weight only in order to cull silver is foolish. I've only done it with halves, but I'm sure my examples could apply to other denominations as well. Here are just a few examples of what I have found:


- I have found a roll that weighed 226.8 that contained no silver.
- I have found a roll that weighed 225.4 that contained 2 40%
- I have found multiple rolls that weighed 224.0. No silver in any of these, but you could substitute a 90% into this roll and its still not a "heavy" roll.
- I have found a very worn Walker that weighs 11.1g. It would hide nicely in a roll.
- I have found at least an equal number of 40% from rolls that weighed under 226.0 as over 226.0.
- Every roll that has weighed over 227.0 has contained a 90% or foreign coin.

There are many other possible scenarios to consider as well. For example a roll that is short 1 coin, but contains 10-11 90%ers should weigh about the same as 20 CuNi clad. Unlikely, but possible. Another thing is that a roll of CuNi clad should weigh 226.8 + the weight of the wrapper. Either my scale is off, or the weights of the coins are not consistent at all. I find very few boxes that have a single roll that weighs 226.8+, and that includes the weight of the wrapper.

The bottom line is that if you don't enjoy opening the rolls, then this isn't the hobby for you. There are no shortcuts. Its kind of like fishing. A day spent on the water is a good day. Catching some fish is just a bonus.