Is there a way to get these bags of coins from the mint? I seem to remember that somebody mentioned it at one point in my research but have been unable to locate the information again. Thanks folks.
Also,I have been able to purchase them from my banks main branch.Then you don't pay anything extra. However the choice might be limited. Good luck, Norm
I've bought bags from both the mint and the bank(face value). The bank doesn't want to do it anymore. The mint makes even more by charging extra, for money meant for circulation, how sad.
The mint, whose website catalog has been down for a week now, sells bags of quarters (the state quarter available at the time) and the nickels and sometimes the dollar coins. But they charge a rather large premium for them. They also sell them in rolls. The rolls for nickels are 8.95 for two not including shipping and handling. If there is a federal reserve bank near you, they may sell bags to you from the mint. I have heard it both ways, that they will and that they won't.
I know they did at one time, but the one here in NYC no longer does. I know b/c I tried to get some of the bison nickels there Don't know if other fed reserve banks still do.
I think, and no I am not some conspiracy theorist or anything, that the Mint had the FR banks stop that since they started selling the bags themselves through their online catalog. They are charging one heck of a premium price for them, even though they are already making money. Of course it wouldn't be half bad if you could actually get on the Mint's catalog and order something The wife and I ended up buying a bag of nickels from an auction online, and got a better deal than the mint! FIgure that one out!
I recall an article some time ago that the mint would no longer issue coins in bags as such, that they would ship in huge containers of 1000s of coins each. Then, banks or armored car companies, etc. would wrap them into rolls. So, I think the old Mint bag is history, unless some local banks still store coins in them.
That is possible judging from the rumor mill. Our bank says they can't even get bags from the Federal Reserve, and the FR is charging them extra to get quarters wrapped in plastic instead of paper. I liked the plastic rolled coins better because it gives me a first glimpse in to the possiblity of some nice coins before I open it up. Found my first broadstruck state quarter this way. All the armored car companies around our area told us to call the banks for bags and the banks told us to call the armored car companies! Go figure! I still don't know. Buying the bags from the mint and paying the extra premium is taking a gamble. The chance of finding a bag full of regular coins is pretty good.
Makes taking the ebay risk more attractive. I've seen "mint" bags occationally go for face value or less.
Very true, very true! Been looking into some mint sewn bags of pennies from the '70s on old ebay. Seller appears honest enough, still would like to know where he came up with a mint sewn bag of pennies from 1971 though.
I know that especially for pennies, saving new bags was somewhat common (I used to see adds for Mint Bags). The gamble is, how do you know if it is full of Mint coins, or just resewn older coins? Once you open it, the seller can say that you took all the BU coins and replaced them with circulated ones.
BTW – anyone lese recall that in 1972 only, the mint sold minibags of 5 coins each of PDS mints? One bag had 15 coins. I bought a couple and saved maybe one. I think I spent the rest. Wonder what they would go for now on eBay.
I saw a few of those mini bags on Ebay a while back. They weren't doing so hot. But that doesn't mean anything. I know what you mean about the penny bags. I want to purchase one, but then again, who knows if it is a scam.
I bought some bags of 2000 cents off of ebay. There were brand new. Founds lots of die cracks and some doubling as well. It was worth it.
Thanks for all the Replies I sincerely thank all of you who took the time to reply to my question. It sure helped me decide if it was worth it. From what I gather, some research and a gamble on EBAY is the only way for me to go as I live out in the boonies. Thanks again for the information. Sincerely, r3jar
