My Latest Laundromat Find: Another W Quarter!

An Unexpected Numismatic Score

I was just doing my usual laundry run at the local spot when something shiny caught my eye—another W mint mark quarter! That makes nine I’ve found in the last year alone. Honestly, it still amazes me that these scarce coins are floating around out there. That jolt of excitement, pulling a little treasure like this from your pocket change? That’s the magic that keeps me hooked on collecting.

What I Found This Time

This wasn’t just any W quarter. It was one with the special V75 privy mark, honoring the 75th anniversary of the WWII victory. Finding one with that little extra detail felt pretty special. Of course, like most coins that have been passed hand-to-hand, it wasn’t pristine—it was scratched and worn, maybe even looking like it endured one too many tumbles in the dryer itself! But even in pretty rough shape, it’s a welcome addition to my collection.

My Laundromat Coin Hunting System

Over time, I’ve figured out a system that works. I hit the same laundromat roughly twice a month—not so often I become “that coin guy.” Each visit, I swap a $100 bill for quarters, giving me a decent pile to sort through. The staff doesn’t seem bothered, and spacing out my trips helps keep things low-key. This little routine has seriously paid off: besides the W quarters, I’ve snagged three pre-1965 silver quarters and five ‘S’ mint National Park quarters just in the past year. To avoid raising eyebrows, I always have a casual excuse ready (“Got mountains of laundry this week!”) and never hang around longer than necessary. A quick in-and-out is key.

Handy Tips If You Want to Try

Want to give laundromat hunting a shot? Here’s what’s worked for me:

• Keep Visits Sparse: Don’t go too often. Once or twice a month feels about right to stay under the radar and make each trip count.
• Get Enough Quarters: Swapping for about $100 gives you a good chunk to look through, boosting your chances of spotting something neat.
• Pick the Right Spot: Stick to places with coin-only machines. Skip the ones with bill changers – keeps things simpler and avoids any awkwardness.
• Manage Expectations: Remember, coins from the wild are usually worn. Look closely for those mint marks or privy marks; they can still make a coin special even if it’s seen better days.

What It’s Worth & Grading Thoughts

Let’s be real, coins found circulating like this W quarter are rarely high-grade—Fine or Very Fine is typical. But don’t write them off! That V75 privy mark can still add a nice little premium, maybe 10-20%, even on banged-up ones. With W quarters getting harder to find in change, snagging *any* is a win. When checking condition, focus on the essentials: Is the mint mark clear? Can you make out the privy mark? Those details matter most on circulated finds. Seeing fewer and fewer of these in the wild really drives home that now’s the time to look before they vanish completely.

Why Laundromats Are Worth a Look

Hunting for coins at the laundromat might sound a bit quirky, but trust me, it can be incredibly rewarding. The sheer randomness of what turns up in circulation is half the fun—you truly never know what you might get. That element of surprise? Totally addictive. If you collect coins or hunt for silver, give this a try sometime. Just hunt responsibly, be respectful, and savor the thrill of the chase. Who knows? Your next roll of quarters could hold your very own W mint mark surprise. Happy hunting!