Today’s Laundromat Haul: My Unexpected Coin Collecting Bonanza
July 13, 2025What to Do with Your Hoard of Old Pennies: A Collector’s Guide
July 13, 2025
As a coin collector always chasing rare dates and mint marks, I’ve spent endless evenings hunched over rolls, fantasizing about a machine that could handle the sorting for me. When I finally tried building one myself, I discovered some real truths about costs, tech limitations, and whether it’s practical for collectors like us.
The Temptation of Automation
Picture this: a whirring machine that scans coins in seconds, spotting dates and mint marks with camera eyes. The fantasy is strong—imagine effortlessly plucking out pre-1982 copper cents for their metal value or catching rare errors in bulk finds. But here’s what I learned: this isn’t some weekend garage project. You’d need serious technical skills, like creating an image library accounting for every possible wear pattern and angle to prevent misidentifications.
What the Numbers Tell Us
Let’s talk dollars and sense. Building this beast could easily burn through thousands when you factor in high-res cameras, custom software, and precision hardware. Here’s the hard truth:
- For personal use, you’ll rarely break even—it takes mountains of common coins to justify the cost after sourcing and shipping expenses.
- Selling units? That’s a tough market. Banks and outfits like Brinks don’t care about dates, and while some collectors might spend $5,000, most won’t without cheaper options.
- Targeting silver or errors helps, but profits stay shaky. Honestly, approach this like restoring vintage cars—a passion project, not a paycheck.
Tech Headaches and Workarounds
Designing this thing felt like wrestling gremlins. Your system must handle pristine proofs and worn slick coins alike, meaning storing hundreds of rotation images per coin side. My key discoveries:
- Date-reading tech falters with grime or wear, potentially rejecting good coins.
- Simplify by letting users target specific dates/mints—then you only need “keep,” “toss,” and “maybe” bins.
- Patents and legalities add complexity, so start small with a prototype before committing.
Thoughts for Fellow Collectors
If this idea tempts you, consider my hands-on experience. Stick to manual sorting for high-value hunts like Morgan VAMs or key dates—machines miss subtle details human eyes catch. For bulk pennies or nickels? Maybe. But remember:
- Traditional coin roll hunting delivers joy without machines—just source from banks for low costs.
- Account for grading variations, or you might overlook mint-state treasures.
- If you build one, test small batches first and share your journey. Our hobby thrives on clever solutions!
Ultimately, while an automated sorter sounds magical, it’s more love project than profit engine. I’m still captivated by the concept though—maybe AI advances will bring affordable versions someday. Until then? I’ll keep dreaming and tinkering. Because isn’t the hunt half the fun?
