My Laundromat Coin Hunting Adventure: Discovering a 1964 Silver Quarter

For years, I’ve been collecting coins, and one of my favorite unexpected spots to hunt is the laundromat. Just last week, I snagged a stunning 1964 quarter with gorgeous toning – trust me, it looks even better in person than any photo could show. That find got me thinking about the hidden treasures you can stumble upon in the most ordinary places. Let me walk you through how I turn laundry day into treasure hunting season.

My Laundromat Strategy

Here’s how I do it: I head to a self-serve laundromat that still uses coin-operated machines. I’ll feed some cash – usually a $20 bill – into the change machine to get a stack of quarters. This works great because you get whatever’s circulating out there, and unlike banks that might give you hassle about coin rolls, it’s dead simple. I’ve found it’s best to go during off-hours, like after 3 PM when the employees have left. Honestly though? Nobody’s ever questioned me, and I’ve never seen signs forbidding it.

• Change machines are goldmines: Feed them cash, get quarters to search through later
• Timing helps: Quieter hours mean fewer curious looks
• Budget friendly: I drop about $100 per trip – way cheaper than paying fees for bank rolls

What I’ve Found and Why It Matters

In the past year and a half, I’ve pulled out some real winners from these laundromat runs. That 1964 quarter was a real standout because it’s 90% silver, but I’ve also snagged several West Point minted ‘W’ quarters – one time, I even got three in a single haul! What’s really cool is that a lot of laundromat machines are still old-school mechanical. They’ll happily take silver coins that modern self-checkouts or CoinStar machines would spit right back out. That makes them perfect for finding pre-1965 silver quarters and dimes that still carry collector value and silver content.

• Silver sleuthing: Watch for dates before 1965 – most folks overlook them
• Modern rarities: Those ‘W’ quarters are tough finds in circulation
• Quick grading tip: Check Washington’s hair details on quarters – sharpness there can mean better value

Practical Tips for Success

To get the most out of your laundromat coin hunting, I suggest focusing on being efficient and keeping your eyes peeled. I sort my coins at home by design or time period – it makes it easier to spot errors or key dates. Keep in mind: actually doing laundry there can get pricey – about $10 for a wash and dry cycle. So if you’re just coin hunting, it makes more sense to use the change machine and skip the washing. From my experience, you’ll strike silver about half the time if you stick with it.

• Consistency counts: I pop in a couple times monthly for steady finds
• Seek older spots: Mechanical-only laundromats beat newer card-operated ones for silver chances
• Vanishing treasures: Silver coins keep disappearing from circulation – every find feels special

Laundromat coin hunting isn’t just about luck – it’s a fun, affordable way to grow your collection. If you’re into coins or precious metals, why not give it a shot? You might just dig up your own silver surprise!