Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Forum for discussing any topic related to investing in, collecting and saving US, Canadian, UK, and other Copper Bullion Pennies for their metal content.

Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby AGgressive Metal » Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:50 pm

I tell people I know about the pre-82 penny thing and several of them have become mini-savers; people who save whatever copper pennies they get in change but stop short of buying boxes to sort. I know many members on here would rather be as private and discrete as possible. Is there a balance? What do ya'll think is the appropriate level of OPSEC for penny sorting?
And he that hath lyberte ought to kepe hit wel
For nothyng is better than lyberte
For lyberte shold not be wel sold for alle the gold and syluer of all the world
-Aesop's Fables, Caxton edition 1484

http://stores.ebay.com/commonwealthcurrency
http://www.ebay.com/usr/pdx_metal
User avatar
AGgressive Metal
Realcent Moderator
 
Posts: 5922
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:00 am
Location: Portland

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby silverflake » Thu Jun 12, 2014 4:59 pm

I started telling people years ago when I first started pulling coppers from circulation. I got looks that were more troubling than when they found out I was a gold bug. So, screw 'em. I tell no one, not out of secrecy, just out of "hey-you-don't-want-to-listen-then-that's-fine" attitude. More for me.

Continue stacking, mi amigos.
User avatar
silverflake
Penny Hoarding Member
 
Posts: 912
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:49 pm
Location: Virginia

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Computer Jones » Thu Jun 12, 2014 10:11 pm

I'll second what Agflake posted.
Usually I get a look like I'm from Mars blasting a death ray if I start discussing the price of Cu and various ways to invest in the metal.
If I'm asked or someone shows an interest, I'll tell them, but I won't bring it up as a topic for discussion unprompted.
Computer Jones
1000+ Penny Miser Member
 
Posts: 1248
Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 3:00 pm

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Rosco » Fri Jun 13, 2014 2:01 am

One son encouraged me other two will wait to see what they get when I die,
I'm 77 so they might not have long wait :P

I was sharing, now just visit with Bank an other people
Rarely Hand Sorts ....Hope that the Hoard goes to the Boys
Rosco
Post Hoarder
 
Posts: 2105
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2009 3:00 pm
Location: I-5 Mid Valley, OREGON Stay Home Now

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby kiwiman » Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:25 am

I tell anyone who asks and tell them as much as they seem to want to know. This is mostly relatives that my parents tell about penny sorting.
You could be sorting right now.
User avatar
kiwiman
Penny Collector Member
 
Posts: 318
Joined: Sat May 15, 2010 3:00 pm

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby hirbonzig » Sat Jun 14, 2014 8:06 am

When I started to sort copper, I told just about everyone who would listen to me how great saving copper cents is. But now I hardly tell anyone about it. People think I look for old wheat cents only, and when I tell them I also save the cents made from 1959 - 1982 they tend to give me "yea OK" look and nod and smile politely. It seems the general public treats the cent as a piece of trash, and telling someone that that piece of copper "trash" is worth double its face value still isn't enough to get people excited.
“Someone’s gonna have to go back and get a sh*t load of dimes.”
hirbonzig
1000+ Penny Miser Member
 
Posts: 1489
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:00 pm
Location: A van down by the river

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby coppernickel » Sat Jun 14, 2014 8:19 am

For a while I thought it was the best idea and I should share. The general reaction is you're nuts, but an OK guy.

Now, if someone asks I tell them. One person in one bank I get cents from appears happy to see me and appears interested in what I have to say.

My family is sure I have gone off the deep end, but they figure it is less expensive than crash derby cars, like my brother does.
Last edited by coppernickel on Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Silver Monometalism is the most permanent and stable form of money the world has seen. Natural law and history prove silver value is best multiplied by gold and best divided by copper. It is only in this counterfeit currency time when the natural law appears suspended.
User avatar
coppernickel
1000+ Penny Miser Member
 
Posts: 1093
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:00 am
Location: American Redoubt

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Gobirds66 » Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:49 am

I started sorting after doing my homework and deciding this was a good thing to do...... I started in secret as this is the ONLY way I get things past the wife. Once I was in production, well she kinda did not have a choice but to let me continue. She thinks I am completely out of my mind with the penny deal. Of course she just thinks I am crazy anyway, so I went in search of others to validate my ideas which led me to this forum. Outside of this forum, pretty much anyone I tell either thinks I am completely mad or understands the theory but fails to see the practicality behind it. For those that understand, they either think it is too much work for too little gain, or that the government is never going to lift the ban.

I tell people because I know they are too lazy to try and it is funny to watch their facial expressions when I tell them. Then I tell them about all the Indian Head pennies and the two 1909 VBD pennies (one in AU-59 condition) I have pulled from boxes in the last year alone and how much I sold them for this year. They get jealous and make statements like "I wish I found a penny worth that!" It gives me satisfaction because I just told them how to find the pennies and they laughed at me.

My point is that you can tell all the people you want, and very few will understand you let alone become your competition. The human being is basically lazy and rarely plans and positions themselves for success. Those that do may not have the time to sort, and that provides you with an opportunity to sell to them. Any competition you experience by telling someone should be minimal at this point. There are lots of banks, and lots of tellers who like chocolate so sourcing a consistent supply of coin has never really been a concern for me and over the 3+ years I have been hoarding, my percentages have yet to drop. They stay consistently in the 25-30% range.
If they give you lined paper, write the other way....
Gobirds66
Penny Sorter Member
 
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:37 pm
Location: York, PA

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Mr Paradise » Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:41 pm

I sometimes have to inform the occasional cashier about the whole pre/post 82 thing, it's usually after I ask for only coppers back in my change or they catch me exchanging zincs for copper out of the penny tray.
Mr Paradise
Penny Sorter Member
 
Posts: 69
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 10:14 pm

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby highroller4321 » Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:24 pm

I never stop talking about it ;)
highroller4321
Realcent Moderator
 
Posts: 7213
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:00 am
Location: Portland,Oregon

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby JerrySpringer » Mon Jun 16, 2014 8:16 pm

I used to make comments on other boards about copper whenever someone brought up that they were a newbie and wanted to buy gold cold turkey, but generally my advice would fall on deaf ears. I gave up discussing on finance sites and the like after a while. People will arrive at the realization some day that copper cents are a free lunch right now at face value of $0.01 each. The math is simple. If they allow a copper cent melt in the next decade and copper at least stays at this price level or goes higher, any pennies stashed now will have grown nominally at 7% annual compounded rate. Where can you get 7% annual rate with the downside risk being that at worst you only get your principle back? Oh, and the annual cost of having a physical copper cent account? Only the cost of having a space in your home to store them. No annual 1% fee or expenses, etc.
JerrySpringer
Penny Hoarding Member
 
Posts: 762
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:07 pm

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Recyclersteve » Tue Jun 17, 2014 12:41 am

Gobirds66 wrote:
My point is that you can tell all the people you want, and very few will understand you let alone become your competition. The human being is basically lazy and rarely plans and positions themselves for success. Those that do may not have the time to sort, and that provides you with an opportunity to sell to them. Any competition you experience by telling someone should be minimal at this point.


I like what was said here and can point to parallels in the stock market. I've heard really good traders say they have had others sit with them, take notes and study everything they do. But when they are on their own they can't replicate what they just witnessed. Part of the reason is that your emotions are totally different when it is your own money on the line. Some people would cash out when others tell them they just made a "stupid" investment or refer to it as gambling. And by being intellectually lazy, they wouldn't be able to justify (even to themselves) why it is better to hold onto the investment they made. Then, of course, there are people who get out because of the 3 D's (death, divorce and desperation (i.e., pending bankruptcy)). That is the wildcard.
Former stock broker w/ ~20 yrs. at one company. Spoke with 100k+ people and traded a lot (long, short, options, margin, extended hours, etc.).

Please note that ANY stocks I discuss, no matter how compelling, carry risk- sometimes substantial. If not prepared to buy it multiple times in modest amounts without going overboard (assuming nothing really wrong with the company), you need to learn more about the market and managing risk. Also, please research covered calls (options) as well.
Recyclersteve
Too Busy Posting to Hoard Anything Else
 
Posts: 4391
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:59 am
Location: Where I Want To Be

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay » Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:38 am

Not any more.

The only time I share now is when I am asking for all the loose pennies a cashier has in their till. Or CWR's. I explain I am looking for 1907s VDB. That satisfies their curiosity.
When I die, I want to go like Grandpa did. He died in his sleep..... Not screaming and hollering like all the passengers in his car.
User avatar
Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay
Super Post Hoarder
 
Posts: 3111
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:00 am

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby JadeDragon » Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:23 pm

Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay wrote:Not any more.

The only time I share now is when I am asking for all the loose pennies a cashier has in their till. Or CWR's. I explain I am looking for 1907s VDB. That satisfies their curiosity.


Good luck ever finding one of those!
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” – George Bernard Shaw.
User avatar
JadeDragon
Realcent Moderator
 
Posts: 5434
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 3:00 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Zincanator » Wed Jun 18, 2014 1:11 am

Same as a lot of others, I told a few people, and they were like, "hummm, that's interesting" but forgot about it a few minutes later. I don't bother sharing after that. More for us.

The other day I came clean with the wife about how much I'd sorted and stored away. She was shocked to say the least, but supportive and urged me to keep going :thumbup: .
User avatar
Zincanator
Penny Pincher Member
 
Posts: 241
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:20 pm

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay » Thu Jun 19, 2014 6:14 am

JadeDragon wrote:
Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay wrote:Not any more.

The only time I share now is when I am asking for all the loose pennies a cashier has in their till. Or CWR's. I explain I am looking for 1907s VDB. That satisfies their curiosity.


Good luck ever finding one of those!

Yeah I know, but it gets them momentarily enthused so they give up some coins. ;)

EDIT: OH MY GOD! I HAVE MISPLACED MY MEMORY PILLS AGAIN! I know it's a 1909s VDB. Why in the world would I have typed in 1907???!! ¡Ay, Caramba!
When I die, I want to go like Grandpa did. He died in his sleep..... Not screaming and hollering like all the passengers in his car.
User avatar
Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay
Super Post Hoarder
 
Posts: 3111
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:00 am

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Gobirds66 » Tue Jun 24, 2014 9:11 am

Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay wrote:
JadeDragon wrote:
Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay wrote:Not any more.

The only time I share now is when I am asking for all the loose pennies a cashier has in their till. Or CWR's. I explain I am looking for 1907s VDB. That satisfies their curiosity.


Good luck ever finding one of those!

Yeah I know, but it gets them momentarily enthused so they give up some coins. ;)

EDIT: OH MY GOD! I HAVE MISPLACED MY MEMORY PILLS AGAIN! I know it's a 1909s VDB. Why in the world would I have typed in 1907???!! ¡Ay, Caramba!


Funny thing is you could tell 99% of the public that you are looking for a 1907 S VDB and they would never even understand what you mean, let alone know it does not exist. We should try that as an experiment....give the wrong year to the general public and see how many of them bite on it.....LOL!
If they give you lined paper, write the other way....
Gobirds66
Penny Sorter Member
 
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:37 pm
Location: York, PA

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby mlpfan » Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:06 pm

people tend to look at me like i am one of those old hoarders that saves every news paper for 30 years or has a mountain of junk,
mlpfan
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Feb 18, 2014 12:33 pm

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Shazbot57 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:26 pm

"Loose lips sink ships!" It's every man for himself (or herself!)! :P
User avatar
Shazbot57
Penny Collector Member
 
Posts: 491
Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Flyover Country

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby cooyon » Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:30 pm

I told my wife and now she keeps all her pennies for me...last week she said she found a really old one...1983...oh, well.
cooyon
1000+ Penny Miser Member
 
Posts: 1715
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 5:44 pm
Location: PA

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby coppernickel » Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:02 pm

[youtube2][/youtube2]
Shazbot57 wrote:"Loose lips sink ships!" It's every man for himself (or herself!)! :P



I am very careful about who I tell. In the end it is mounds of money laying around the house, yard, barn, etc. :thumbup:
Silver Monometalism is the most permanent and stable form of money the world has seen. Natural law and history prove silver value is best multiplied by gold and best divided by copper. It is only in this counterfeit currency time when the natural law appears suspended.
User avatar
coppernickel
1000+ Penny Miser Member
 
Posts: 1093
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:00 am
Location: American Redoubt

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby coppernickel » Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:04 pm

mlpfan wrote:people tend to look at me like i am one of those old hoarders that saves every news paper for 30 years or has a mountain of junk,


My wife has threatened an "intervention" for hoarding a time or too. I tell her that is her retirement.
Silver Monometalism is the most permanent and stable form of money the world has seen. Natural law and history prove silver value is best multiplied by gold and best divided by copper. It is only in this counterfeit currency time when the natural law appears suspended.
User avatar
coppernickel
1000+ Penny Miser Member
 
Posts: 1093
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:00 am
Location: American Redoubt

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby Morsecode » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:26 pm

Interesting thread...note how many rarely heard from members chimed in. Awesome! (you guys know it's ok to post more than 5 times a year, right?) :wave:

Ahh...maybe they're just too busy sorting while the rest of us are blabbing and not getting anything done.

To the original issue: I used to talk coins all the time but it mostly fell on deaf ears. Now, hardly ever.
Let's Go Brandon
User avatar
Morsecode
Too Busy Posting to Hoard Anything Else
 
Posts: 4088
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:04 pm
Location: Southern New England

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby 68Camaro » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:39 pm

Good observation. Definitely a bimodal distribution in this thread. Either multi thousands of posts, or less than 500. Not much in between.
In the game of Woke, the goal posts can be moved at any moment, the penalties will apply retroactively and claims of fairness will always lose out to the perpetual right to claim offense.... Bret Stephens
The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it. George Orwell.
We can ignore reality, but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality. Ayn Rand.
User avatar
68Camaro
Too Busy Posting to Hoard Anything Else
 
Posts: 8193
Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:12 am
Location: Disney World

Re: Do you spread the word or stay tight-lipped?

Postby BenG76 » Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:08 am

I tried to tell a few people. They just don't seem to get it or think its a waste of time. I have showed a few people some of my other finds like my hoard of wheat's and they say they would like to have that many of them. They never follow through though. I showed my Dad that you could find silver in halves and dimes and he acted like he may give it a try. He never did though and he is retired and needs a hobby or something to keep him occupied.
BenG76
Penny Sorter Member
 
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2013 3:58 pm

Next

Return to Copper Penny Bullion Investing

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest