Laundromat Loot: How I Scored Another W Quarter

I’ve been hunting coins at laundromats for over a year now, and last week’s find made my day – another West Point W quarter! That brings my total to nine of these beauties. Can you believe these treasures are still passing through people’s hands? Let me share what I’ve learned from my laundry-room adventures.

My Laundromat Coin Hunting Strategy

After many visits, I’ve settled into a rhythm that works without drawing attention. I swing by my neighborhood laundromat a couple times monthly, swapping $100 bills for rolls of quarters each trip. Honestly? I haven’t washed a single sock there. It’s purely my personal treasure hunt. Here’s what works for me:

• Visit occasionally: Going weekly feels too obvious, so I limit myself to 2-3 visits max per month
• Keep it low-key: I always have a believable story ready like “prepping for camping season” if anyone asks
• Staff don’t usually care: As long as you’re friendly and not blocking machines, they’ll leave you be. Never been kicked out yet!

Notable Finds and Rarities

My laundromat runs have turned up some real surprises this past year. Besides those elusive W quarters, I’ve discovered:

• Three consecutive silver quarters from before 1965 – talk about a lucky streak!
• Five San Francisco-minted ‘S’ quarters from the America the Beautiful series
• A special V75-marked W quarter honoring WWII’s 75th anniversary. That find almost made up for all the detergent smells!

These spots truly are unexpected hunting grounds, especially now that collectors are snatching up W quarters faster than loose socks in a dryer.

Grading Tips and Coin Condition Insights

Let’s be real – most laundromat coins have lived hard lives. My latest W quarter looked like it went through the spin cycle itself! Here’s how I evaluate finds:

• Focus on identifiers: Even worn coins matter if you can spot mint marks or special privies like the W or V75
• Set realistic expectations: Most will grade Good to Very Fine – perfect for type collections but not museum pieces
• Clean with care: I never scrub or use chemicals. A quick water rinse if absolutely necessary, then straight into holders

Why Laundromats Are Worth the Hunt

For us coin folks, laundromats have a special magic. Quarters constantly churn through those machines, creating fresh opportunities for discoveries. W quarters remain white-hot finds since they only appeared in 2019-2020. Honestly? I score something interesting about every third visit. If you haven’t tried coin hunting while “doing laundry” yet, grab some bills and head over – you might leave with cleaner pockets than clothes!