Where Are All The Pennies?

[silverflake]

Ok, I have been busy lately haven't sorted in a long time. And on top of that I am a small time hand sorter. So, my first day off in a while, I go out with $40, thinking to stop at 4 banks on the one road I need to be on anyway. First bank (credit union) I ask for $10 in pennies. I get the obligatory "do you have an account with us?" question. I do. She pulls her drawer open - one roll. She trots down to the next teller - $3 in pennies. "We only have $3.50 in pennies sir." She says. I say nothing because I know they have a vault. After a brief pause, she pulls out some papaer work and goes into the vault. Tough pull but I got my pennies.

Bank 2 (of 4). I walk in, ask for $10 in pennies. "We have none, I just gave them all away this morning." What? Whatever. I leave.

Bank 3 of 4. I ask for $10 in pennies. A brief pause, teller checks the drawer - nothing. Checks teller neck to him. Not enough. Now to this guys credit, he never even paused. He filled out his paper work and went into the vault, brought out my pennies.

Bank 4 of 4. After the drawer search, "We only have $2.50 in pennies." Huh? I didn't take them, went home with my $20. The last 3 banks were major regional banks too. (BB&T x2 and SunTrust). Where are all the pennies???????

On the search though I got a George V Canadian penny - my first!

Again, where are all the pennies?

[henrysmedford]

I think it helps when you have route and they know you. I have found they will save it up. So what year is the King George V is the one you found and are you adding it to the list, http://www.realcent.org/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=109&start=150

[uthminsta]

On the search though I got a George V Canadian penny - my first!

Nice, your persistence paid off!

I don't know what the problem would be there. I have ONE bank that ALWAYS has AT LEAST $100 per week for me. Some weeks they have as much as $200... and once in a great while, more than that. It's always in $50 increments, and always from their lobby counter. Other banks in town accumulate maybe $100 per month or so, and call me when it starts to pile up in their vault.

Perhaps you could say, "I will buy a box or a bag worth if you have that much to spare." They often don't think about it that way, because their average customer would NEVER want that many pennies. To an extent, you will benefit if they start to recognize you as the penny guy - over time, they will come to anticipate your visits, and have a better idea of what they can give you. At least, that's my experience.

[silverflake]

Good info from those who responded. By the way, henrysmedford - 1920 on the George V.

[HoardCopperByTheTon]

I don't know.. I don't have any of 'em.

[ScottyTX]

The banks are getting raided for all the penny handouts on Halloween Pennies and Raisins yeppers....

[marine70]

Every Thursday I get four boxes from one of my regular banks. I always ask if I am being too much of a pest,her reply is always its no problem. I have an account at this bank and they know I am sorting. I have several branches of another bank I get no more than two boxes at each. All in all I have been very lucky.

[everything]

Just tell your CU or closest pickup to order you boxes, your wasting gas driving around, I am being hypocritical about the gas thing, I waste gas and time on it as well but it's my hobby, my entertainment.

[snappy]

this time a year everyone is giving their 2 cents to everyone with ears and some that do not and once the BS piles up you will not be able to see them any more.


don't forget to vote and give your 2 cents tomarow.

[CU Baker]

I don't know.. I don't have any of 'em.

I don't think he is telling the truth.

[johnbrickner]

I live in a rural area. Only two banks (one big, one very local) around. Both need a heads up for pennies. If not, I run the risk of your experience. This started about a year ago, give or take. I have significant accounts at both. One occasionally calls me for my zinc pile when they run low. Both receive gifts of gratitude.

[HoardCopperByTheTon]

I don't know.. I don't have any of 'em.

I don't think he is telling the truth.

*Has never been seen dragging sledloads of them across the frozen tundra to pay the gas man*

[TheJonasCollegeFund]

Try metal detecting......there are tons of pennies buried in the dirt!

[tedandcam]

Try metal detecting......there are tons of pennies buried in the dirt!

Yes...and some of them are still round

[HoardCopperByTheTon]

Try metal detecting......there are tons of pennies buried in the dirt!

Yes...and some of them are still round

Usually just the copper ones.

[CU Baker]

297zn and 123 cu this summer, the chewed up zn snuck into different bank bags that get deposited so they all don't get kicked out for being dirty. Works for me

And just for the record I payed the gas man with a check this year