What Do Young People Think When They See a Silver Coin?

[Recyclersteve]

It’s been perhaps 10-12 years or so since we saw silver in change with any regularity. Some would say it’s really been more like 20-30 years. Whatever the real number, my point is that there are likely lots of young cashiers out there who don’t have coin collectors in their families.

Put yourself in their shoes. What do you think they think when they see a 1964 quarter mixed in with the others? Do you think that some might feel like it is counterfeit or that it might be play money? I can imagine some young person doing a drop test and hearing the silver coin make a totally different noise than the others in their cash register.

I say this because at a retail establishment I recently saw a 1964 quarter set aside like something was wrong with it. A true collector wouldn’t dare just set it aside. They’d buy it for face value and put it in their pocket!

Looking forward to your comments.

[Cu Penny Hoarder]

I observe them regularly. The majority of Gen Y, Z and alpha's today are ignorant, brainwashed, cell phone zombies. All they really seem to care about is their phones, social media, loud music, internet porn and smoking pot. Totally self-absorbed with zero social skills. Thank god I never had kids.

[thecrazyone]

You're talking about the same kids who drop their REGULAR change that I pick up, right?

My answer to you is they will only know, or care, if someone has shown them to look out for them.

I also hope you got that quarter!!

I have a dime I got that I can't tell 100% if it's silver, but until I'm told otherwise, I'm believing it is!

[ScrapMetal]

I have to agree with CU Penny Hoarder and thecrazyone as to the younger generation's attitude not only to coins but to most things in general. The new generation rarely even deals in cash, as it is all credit and phone apps that they pay for things with.
I have had cashiers not even understand money at the checkout. On more than one occasion, I have received alot more in change than I should have. Want to drive a new gen cashier insane? Lets say the total comes to $14.25, give them $20.25, so you should get an even $6 back. It almost never fails, they have no idea what to do.

[thecrazyone]

Want to drive a new gen cashier insane? Lets say the total comes to $14.25, give them $20.25, so you should get an even $6 back. It almost never fails, they have no idea what to do.

Unless, of course, they are working on one of those registers where you have to type in what the customer gave you, and it determines the change.. But you are right!

[TXSTARFIRE]

I dont think most young folks would know the difference between a silver or a non silver coin.

[silverflake]

I worked in the pharmacy at a hospital in South Carolina a few years back and one day I was telling my 2 technicians about how my wife had found a 1964 quarter in her change the day before. I saw blank faces...and I can understand that. Not everyone knows the dates when silver stopped and clad began. So I told them that 1964 was the last year that US coins were made of silver. One of the technicians says, with wide eyes in all seriousness, "Coins are not made of silver????" Sigh.

I took the opportunity to educate them on coin metal basics. They were attentive but I thought, if they don't realize how our coinage is base metal then they most likely have no idea that the dollar is, well, what it is - an inflated IOU backed by nothing.

That said, what DO young people value?

Keep stacking, even if no one under 40 knows what it means to stack.

[cwgii]

They cannot count either.
Just got pennies that the teller said, came from MCD.
Ten rolls, I could tell that one was way over. They just ,fill r up. Two others were shy. And one had a dime.

And they get $15++ to be morons

[Cu Penny Hoarder]

They cannot count either.

And they get $15++ to be morons

Most youth today. Society is regressing. Not surprising at all considering the absolute nonsense being "taught" in schools these days.

[thecrazyone]

They cannot count either.
Just got pennies that the teller said, came from MCD.
Ten rolls, I could tell that one was way over. They just ,fill r up. Two others were shy. And one had a dime.

And they get $15++ to be morons

Does that make them McMorons?

[Dr. Cadmium]

I've met a few members of the current working class youth who are wise to silver coins, but they are an exception to the general population. I got a 1943 war nickel in change at the pizza place a couple of weeks ago. As soon as I saw it in my hand I could tell it was a keeper. It's the first silver I've received in change from a local business since 2010!

[Cu Penny Hoarder]

I've met a few members of the current working class youth who are wise to silver coins, but they are an exception to the general population. I got a 1943 war nickel in change at the pizza place a couple of weeks ago. As soon as I saw it in my hand I could tell it was a keeper. It's the first silver I've received in change from a local business since 2010!

Even before you see the large mint mark on top of the Monticello, the amount of tarnish is a dead give away.

[Silver4face]

I mentioned in a different thread that young people know virtually nothing about coins or metal in general. They really don't care either. I mentioned this at least a year ago. Obviously there are a few exceptions, but those exceptions are few and far between.

A few days ago, a bank teller tried to give me an Eisenhower AND two quarters for a one dollar bill because she thought the Ike was worth only fifty cents!!!!!!!!!! I did the right thing and corrected her mistake rather than rip the bank off.

As for the "McMorons", I don't know what the percentage is, but it seems like the percentage of them GOES UP EVERY YEAR.

[Tourney64]

Many are so uninformed. I have Eisenhower dollars to pay for my food at a Subway and they waited for me to give them more money because they thought it was half dollars. They argued with me even though the coin says it’s a dollar. I see many cashiers giving change in all dimes for 40 cents instead of a quarter dime and nickel. This is due to not being able to do some math. It’s certainly an opportunity for us that there are people who don’t know what the silver coins are.

[Silver4face]

Many are so uninformed. I have Eisenhower dollars to pay for my food at a Subway and they waited for me to give them more money because they thought it was half dollars. They argued with me even though the coin says it’s a dollar. I see many cashiers giving change in all dimes for 40 cents instead of a quarter dime and nickel. This is due to not being able to do some math. It’s certainly an opportunity for us that there are people who don’t know what the silver coins are.

The next time you go back to Subway, bring an Eisenhower AND a half dollar to educate them.

[Morsecode]

Or pay the $2.80 tab with an Ike, Sac, and Suzie and watch their head explode.

[cwgii]

u

Or pay the $2.80 tab with an Ike, Sac, and Suzie and watch their head explode.

[cwgii]

Off topic, a little.

I once was in nogalas az at a burger king. Wow...18 years ago. Paid with a $2 bill. The teenager says it is fake, calls the manager. Who explains that yes, I can pay with it. Then puts it in her pocket. So as to not confuse the rest of the,kids.

[pmbug]

...
The problem with the youth today is, because of their inexperience
With the world, they cannot attempt to grasp the ideals, set forth by
Myself and those who preceded me.

But, as history has shown, they will come around, and embrace our
Philosophies and become model citizens in their own right, God bless
This great nation.

Primus sucks

~~

I doubt most young people today know about 90% silver unless they have a silver bug in the family.

[Silver4face]

If they don't know about 90%, then they certainly don't know about 35%, 40% or 80% either.

[Treetop]

I just wish I had known when I was a kid. I had a few dollars of mercs saved just because they were different. I didnt get much change either. Id find it sometimes, and sometimes my mom would let me have the change after a purchase, usually not. Who knows how many silver rosies I skipped over. Even by the time I had a job at 13 they werent as common but Id still see mercs often even though I didnt handle to much change. I bet I could have easily turned a few hundred I had saved anyway into silver. Besides the lost potential value I could have had, it would have been neat to have done it lol.

[Treetop]

:clap: u

Or pay the $2.80 tab with an Ike, Sac, and Suzie and watch their head explode.

That is indeed a hilarious thought. Take a few halves as well to really mix it up.

[Recyclersteve]

Or pay the $2.80 tab with an Ike, Sac, and Suzie and watch their head explode.

I like this idea!

[cwgii]

Taco bell today. I gave her 4 x .50. Oh my I have never seen such big ones.

So I had to go to the truck for an Ike.lol.