"A quick glance at the date, or at the edge of the coin, will determine if it has a clad copper layer," he explained. "A silver coin always has value in excess of its denomination, whereas with error finds or die variety discoveries, there is always the question of, 'Is it worth anything?' Silver always brings a premium," said Sculley.Īnd unlike other coins, which require observation under a magnifying glass, it's easy to know if you've found a silver one. Prior to 1965, dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars were all made mostly from silver. Here are some expert tips for those who want to get started: Updated versions of 'The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coin,' for example, come out every year - and they're a 'must-have' for roll hunters," he said.
"There are numerous reference books and online resources for this. If you're serious about getting into the hobby, have a magnifying glass ready and dedicate some time to learning about notable mint errors and rare varieties in coins, suggests John Sculley, a coin cataloger for Heritage. The best part? Coin roll hunting is free, requiring mostly the time and effort of picking up rolls from the bank and searching through them.
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It's the thrill of the hunt and the joy of discovery," Donn Pearlman, a long-time collector and spokesperson for the Professional Numismatists Guild, a non-profit organization for rare coins and paper money experts, told CNBC Make It.
"But it's not just about the potential financial reward. Like most treasure-seeking hobbies, coin roll hunting can be frustrating, and many people end up facing a low rate of return.