My $500 experiment...

Brandon- You're right, I think they still do 90% silver for certain proof sets each year but I think it's rare they get in general circulation unless someone raids the grandparents or parents collection and spends them at face value (which happens time to time). I thought right after Christmas might be better looking as some stashes might have been turned in as actual cash.

I think I'm also at a disadvantage living in a smaller and somewhat isolated metro area. Just a lot less people moving money around. I think it's sort of the same thing watching the full-time on-line resellers. People dealing most with thrift stores have a lot more to hit and a lot more people dropping stuff off at them in a bigger metro or linked close by metros than my surrounds. There's a "threshold" in size that needs to be crossed (just my opinion).

Got through $300 tonight (600 coins). As I suspected, its looking pretty slim for any silver. Did pull out 3 more Philly mint Bicentennials. I'm glad I didn't pay $15 (the standard fee for a "box of half dollars) to do this.

Been collecting coins since I was in the 5th grade. Two uncles who are "big time" collectors got me started. I'm not into it like they are, as I like to acquire most of mine the old fashion way, in change. USA Numismatic collectors tend to desire perfect uncirculated coins, I just never liked that (boring to me). One of my first jobs was as a grocery store cashier. As I was going to school, I always worked nights, at closing time I would help the owner close-up. He would let me go through the coins and buy all of the ones I wanted. My collection really grew then, obtaining some old silver, I worked that job in the late 70's, so circulated silver was easier to find. As a business owner I have made friends with the tellers that deal with all the merchants. I let them know that I collect coins. So they save the rolled coins that are brought in from the smaller merchants. I buy these from the bank once a week, I still find some good coins this way. I only buy the "hand wrapped" rolls and not the bank wrapped ones.

When I joined the Navy and later working for airlines I started collecting foreign coins. I have a lot of silver foreign coins, so if silver is what you are looking for. Don't forget our neighbors, both Canada and Mexico made a lot of silver coins. Canada is also a good source of copper and nickel coins.

Originally Posted by bigburtchino

When I joined the Navy and later working for airlines I started collecting foreign coins. I have a lot of silver foreign coins, so if silver is what you are looking for. Don't forget our neighbors, both Canada and Mexico made a lot of silver coins. Canada is also a good source of copper and nickel coins.

From one Seaman to another, is there any specific years on those Canadian coins that might be silver? I have a bunch of dimes and pennies from there.

Originally Posted by logansryche

From one Seaman to another, is there any specific years on those Canadian coins that might be silver? I have a bunch of dimes and pennies from there.

On Canadian coins 1967 and prior are 80% silver. Some 1968 are also, just not all.