coin collectors

[Peter Drouin]

Is there any out here?
I ask because I have never spent coins. I always use paper. I clean out my pockets at night and put the change in a coffee can.
I have a lot of cans now. 45+ years worth.
I have educated myself some on it. I went out and got books and a Eliklil microscope with a 6"x10" screen on it. Boy, that works well.
Has anyone here sent out a coin to be graded? If so how did you make out?

[Jim_Rogers]

I never sent any coins out to be graded.
Many years ago, my mother had some coins that I sold for her.
To establish the value of these coins, I went to eBay and listed the coin in the advanced search bar. And I selected "completed listings". This takes you to a list where if the price of the coin is in "red" then they didn't get the price they were asking. If the price is in "green" then they did get the price they were asking. This helped me to understand the value of the coins we had on hand and set my price for them.
I sold all the coins I listed and got more than face value on everything I listed except nickels. No one ever bought any nickels, and it appeared that they have very little value other than face value, at that time. 

Good luck:
Jim Rogers

[Jeff]

Tammy has an eclectic collection acquired from grandparents and friends. Not really of value, but of interest. Lots of non-U.S.  examples, and old silver certificates

[Peter Drouin]

You might be surprised at the price of Miss Stamp coins Boss. 
Thanks, Jim for the info.

[rusticretreater]

The only reason to have a coin graded is if its due for an auction and expected to bring a tidy sum.  With a magnifying glass and some instruction, anyone can grade a coin fairly accurately.  Price it on the high side, expect to get the low side.

Most of us will only see coins that are mint sets, or circulated coins.  Once it is circulated, its value can drop significantly.  Just like driving a new car off the lot.

Many coins are worth much more than their face value, not because of age and type of issue, but because of their metal content. Another reason to collect coins 15-20 years old or older.

I used to routinely check change given to me for collectible coins before putting it in my pocket.  The coins I wanted to keep, I stashed in my wallet to bring home.  Other than the state coins issued recently, I have seen no reason to keep the light metal alloy coins made today.

The only cash I use is to buy things off of craigslist or at a fundraiser kind of thing.  I am totally dependent on my bank card.

[Nebraska]

I used to save my pocket change year to year and cash it in the day before we took family vacation trips and spent it on gas.  

[Peter Drouin]

The only cash I use is to buy things off of craigslist or at a fundraiser kind of thing.  I am totally dependent on my bank card.

I don't have one or want one.   I have a credit card for the sawmill stuff and anything over a 1000.00 dollars.
I keep that much cash in my pocket most of the time.
It's only 10 pieces of paper.

I spent time today looking at quarters going to start with them. Then with .10c  then .05c then penneys.
 Save my haves and dollars for later.

I did find some coins from Barbados Ann and I brought them back from the time we went to all the islands down there.
Pomtrees all look the same.

I have a gizmo so I can roll them as I go.

[Peter Drouin]

I found some with dubbing on them. It's a lot of work looking at them. I put the dubbing ones in a coin rap. I have put all the silver to the side for now. I don't know If I will live long enough to go through all the coffee cans.

It's a good job for cold days.

[Ianab]

Not a serious coin collector, but some that are in the jar on the desk. One is worth a whole $5 (in the Cook Islands  ), or about $3 US.  The $1 coins are a better investment for the novelty. They are known as "dong dollars" in the US, and sell for about $5 US. I'm not sure if Queen Elizabeth ever knew that she was depicted on the reverse of a coin with a "well endowed" Polynesian fertility God. 

The Cooks uses $NZ currency, but have their own notes and coins of equal value. You can spend either, and may get either in change. I've also got a legit $3 bank note. Novelty item, but a legit bank note. I didn't spent before leaving like most of the change, it's a cheap souvenir, and still worth at least $3. 

[Peter Drouin]

 What kind of meddling are they made of? Silver?

[Ianab]

Nothing as exciting as silver I'm afraid. Copper nickel alloy mostly for those years, newer ones are nickel plated steel. They do mint silver versions, but as collectors items