Got my first box of half-dollars! Here are the results...

[jeffisontheair]

This order came from the Philly Fed and here's what I found:

1968 (40% silver) - 1
1969 (40% silver) - 1
1970 - 0
1971 - 120
1972 - 107
1973 - 49
1974 - 93
1975 - 0
1976 - 162
1977 - 28
1978 - 8
1979 - 27
1980 - 31
1981 - 17
1982 - 6
1983 - 22
1984 - 20
1985 - 21
1986 - 17
1987 - 0
1988 - 21
1989 - 34
1990 - 44
1991 - 14
1992 - 21
1993 - 26
1994 - 13
1995 - 21
1996 - 43
1997 - 12
1998 - 3
1999 - 5
2000 - 8
2001 - 1
2002 - 0
2003 - 0
2004 - 1
2005 - 0
2006 - 1
2007 - 1
2008 - 1
2009 - 0
2010 - 0
2011 - 0

It took me a few hours to sort through all the coins and as you can see, I sorted them by year. Many of the coins were marked with magic markers, so it looks like a lot of these coins went through the hands of other people looking for silver. 2 coins isn't a lot, but I'm satisfied. Now I need to dump these coins. Any advice with regards to that would be appreciated. Thanks!

[argent_pur]

Congrats on the silver, Jeff! In the future, though, post your finds in the Tracking Area so Country can count them. As far as dumping the halves, I don't take them back to the same bank I get them. In my experience, nothing sours your relationship with a bank faster. The banks in my area all tell me not to bring in big loads too regularly or they'll start charging me a fee (since I'm not a deposit-holder at any of them) for cashing in coin.

[jeffisontheair]

Sorry about that... I'm new here, but I'll keep that in mind for future orders. I've heard about using a "dump bank" for returning the coins, but I guess I'm a little confused about how to return them. Can I return them in the same box I got them without wrapping them (but stacking them), or do I need to wrap them all up again? I've also heard that the TD Bank coin counters cannot physically hold that many half-dollars, so I guess I'm wondering how other enthusiasts approach returning the coins.

[beauanderos]

Some banks (you'd have to be a member) will let you return loose bags in one of their heavy plastic bank bags, depends on your relationship if they pay upon receipt, or credit your account later (sometimes 5 - 7 days later) after sending them in and counting them. You'll most likely need to reroll them, however, and a lot of banks won't accept them without your name and address on them. Find out the rules first, so you don't go to extra effort unnecessarily.

[slickeast]

Try to find a credit union with a lobby machine. Watch for fees and limits. Ask around to see if someone will take bags. It will have to be $1000. This is where a high speed counter is nice to own.

[argent_pur]

Some banks (you'd have to be a member) will let you return loose bags in one of their heavy plastic bank bags, depends on your relationship if they pay upon receipt, or credit your account later (sometimes 5 - 7 days later) after sending them in and counting them. You'll most likely need to reroll them, however, and a lot of banks won't accept them without your name and address on them. Find out the rules first, so you don't go to extra effort unnecessarily.

Maybe my area is odd, Ray--but, NONE of the banks I use want the coins rolled.

[argent_pur]

Sorry about that... I'm new here, but I'll keep that in mind for future orders.

No worries at all, I just want your silver finds to count in the official stats

[Coppercrazy]

I enjoy spending off some of the clads just to get them back into circulation,and not back to a bank.For a dump bank,find out what banks have the self service coin machines in the lobby.CApital One has lots here,so I opened a free checking account,and I rotate my dumps at 4 branches...

[beauanderos]

Some banks (you'd have to be a member) will let you return loose bags in one of their heavy plastic bank bags, depends on your relationship if they pay upon receipt, or credit your account later (sometimes 5 - 7 days later) after sending them in and counting them. You'll most likely need to reroll them, however, and a lot of banks won't accept them without your name and address on them. Find out the rules first, so you don't go to extra effort unnecessarily.

Maybe my area is odd, Ray--but, NONE of the banks I use want the coins rolled.

Ok, so I was guessing. Busted. My banks take em back in bags... and they provide the bags.

[Pennybug]

Jeff... Welcome to the minors! I'm getting my 1st box this Tuesday (so I'm as new as you are in the league). I've been searching $60 and up to $500 for a while... but haven't gone in for a box yet. $500 isn't small potatoes though. I learned a lot just by dealing with that amount. I've found a few things out about dumping...

So far... I've found that spending those halves on gas, food, grocery bills, farm supply stuff, etc. is AS MUCH FUN as the searching! I love seeing people's reactions! I've simply gone from using a debit card to using rolls of halves. Good thing is... they usually don't open them to count them either. And if they do... well... it takes all of 10 seconds to count one roll and compare it to the others. So... I simply keep a bag of rolls in my truck and when I go in somewhere, I take in as close to what I think I'm about to spend in a plastic shopping bag (so as not to draw attention). I bought a box of ammo the other day with halves, a steak dinner, groceries... etc. Just treat them as your new $10 dollar bill and don't see them as anything different. Heck... I bought a $3 item the other day with a roll and got $7 cash back! That's an easy exchange back to FRN's.

Anyhow.... sorry to go on... but I learned this from others here... and it's how I do things now. Puts some things in perspective for me too. Instead of handing someone some "worthless" paper... I hand them some really worthless paper with some nice coins in it!

[Know Common Cents]

Always a lot of 1971s in the mix here in the Midwest. Many look UNC, but I just can't justify saving them for any reason. Haven't encountered a 40% or 90% half since Feb and I'm tiring of being skunked. Did find a 1977s clad proof last week, but it's had a rough time since entering circulation and I sent it on down the line.

[HPMBTT]

I also spend halves at gas stations, convenience stores etc. There's only one small problem with spending them like this though....you will probably be picking them up at a bank near you within a week. So one ends up searching through the same coin that they just had in-hand. Just a thought.