Why Are There So Many Clad Toners? My Numismatic Deep Dive
June 22, 2025My Once-in-a-Lifetime Silver Coin Haul: 62 Silvers from 9 Rolls
June 22, 2025
Introduction
Just pulled my ninth West Point quarter from a local laundromat! Moments like this remind me why I love coin collecting. Even in our digital age, hidden treasures still circulate in pocket change. My personal quest? Finding them in the most ordinary places.
My Laundromat Strategy
Over the past year, I’ve perfected a simple routine: Visit the laundromat twice monthly, swapping $100 cash for quarters each trip. Why quarters? They’re prime real estate for circulated rarities. I keep it discreet to avoid looking suspicious—spacing out visits helps me blend in as just another customer doing laundry. Staff haven’t noticed yet, so I’ll keep raiding this unexpected treasure trove!
Treasures I’ve Uncovered
It’s not just about W quarters. My laundry runs have delivered some real surprises:
- Nine W quarters total, including one with the prized V75 privy mark for WWII Victory’s 75th anniversary—absolute chills when I spotted that!
- Three pre-1965 silver quarters found together last year
- Five ‘S’ mint national park quarters adding variety to my collection
Finds like these transform boring chores into treasure hunts, though W quarters are vanishing fast from circulation.
Dealing with Wear and Tear
Not every find dazzles—my latest W quarter looks like it wrestled a garbage disposal. Heavy scratches, edge dings… you know the drill. Condition matters, but even battered coins can hold value with rare marks or low mintage. My approach:
- Check if key features like privy marks remain visible—if yes, it stays in the collection
- Heavily circulated coins usually grade Fine or lower—perfect for type sets or display pieces
- Pricing varies: Rough W quarters might bring $5–$10, while nicer ones can hit $20+
Pro Tips for Fellow Collectors
Want to try your luck? Here’s what works for me:
- Hit quarter-heavy spots: laundromats, car washes, arcades
- Space visits out—I go every few weeks to avoid suspicion
- Look beyond W quarters: errors and special mint marks hide in plain sight
- Patience pays: I score something cool about every third visit
Circulation hunting feels like a real adventure. With W quarters disappearing fast, now’s the time to search. Happy hunting—hope your next laundry day yields silver or a sneaky W!
