Been a While for Silver: My Coin Roll Hunting Rediscovery and Finds

After a long hiatus from coin roll hunting, I finally dug into my stash of saved quarter rolls from the 2019-2020 era, and boy, was it worth the wait! As a seasoned collector, I’ve sifted through thousands of rolls over the years, but this recent session reignited my passion with some thrilling discoveries, including a silver quarter—my first in ages—and a couple of those elusive W mintmark quarters. Let me walk you through my experience, the scarcity insights I’ve gathered, and some practical tips to boost your own CRH adventures.

My Recent CRH Haul

In this batch, I unearthed two W quarters—a Lowell and a Tallgrass Prairie—along with a Pilipino coin and, most excitingly, a silver quarter. Finding silver always feels like striking gold, especially since it’s been quite a while since I last pulled one from circulation. The W quarters were a nice bonus; in my local area, Tallgrass issues seem to be the most common among the Ws, with Lowell not far behind. This haul reminded me why I love CRH: it’s a treasure hunt that never gets old, and it’s a great way to build a collection without breaking the bank.

Scarcity Insights and Regional Variations

Based on my years of hunting, I’ve noticed that scarcity can vary wildly depending on where you live. For instance, in my neck of the woods, the El Yunque quarter is incredibly hard to come by—I’ve never found even half a roll’s worth since I started CRH. It’s fascinating how distribution patterns play out; in 2020, only Tallgrass Prairie quarters with W mintmarks circulated locally here, likely because they were the primary release for our region. Odds for finding a W in uncirculated Tallgrass rolls were about one in every three or four rolls, but I struck out completely with other 2020 issues. This regional bias means that if you’re after rarer designs like Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller or Samoa (which I hear are more common in some areas), you might need to hunt in different locales or rely on coins brought in by travelers.

Practical Advice for CRH Enthusiasts

If you’re diving into coin roll hunting, here’s some hands-on advice I’ve picked up:

• Save rolls for later: Stashing rolls from peak years, like 2019-2020, can pay off big time when you revisit them. I regret not emptying my bank account back then to hoard more Tallgrass rolls—those Ws are now highly sought after!
• Focus on distribution hot spots: Hunt in areas with high tourist traffic or near mint distribution centers to increase your chances of finding rarer issues. For example, Samoa W quarters with the bat design might be plentiful in certain regions.
• Check for silver: Always inspect pre-1965 quarters for that telltale silver edge—they’re still out there, but patience is key.
• Grading and preservation: When you find uncirculated coins, handle them carefully to avoid scratches. Even circulated finds like my W quarters can be graded for value; look for sharp details and minimal wear to assess their condition.

Broader Collecting Observations

The W mintmark quarters from the America the Beautiful series have become a collector’s darling, with demand driving up their market value. From what I’ve seen, Samoa issues are surprisingly common in some places, while others like Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller remain tough nuts to crack. It’s a reminder that numismatics is full of surprises, and staying persistent can lead to unexpected wins. If you’re new to this, start with quarters—they’re abundant and often yield hidden gems. Happy hunting, and may your rolls be filled with silver and Ws!