My Once-in-a-Lifetime Silver Haul: Unearthing 62 Silvers from 9 Rolls

Let me tell you about the thrill of a lifetime: I stumbled onto nine customer-wrapped rolls of half dollars that held a whopping 62 silver coins! As someone who’s been collecting for years, I was literally shaking with excitement. It’s the kind of find we all dream about but hardly ever see.

The Incredible Find

It began with a single roll I grabbed on a whim from a local bank. When I opened it and saw all that silver, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The very next morning, I raced back to snag the remaining eight rolls. The final count? A staggering 62 silver coins! The mix of classic designs would make any collector’s heart skip a beat.

Breaking Down the Treasure

Let me break down exactly what I found — a real treasure trove of silver:

• 6 Walking Liberty halves: Still my favorite design for its beauty and history
• 6 Franklin halves: In great shape, and they often carry nice premiums
• 3 90% Kennedy halves: These are extra valuable because of their silver content
• 47 40% Kennedy halves: More common, but hey, silver is silver!

Altogether, that’s 13.58 ounces of actual silver weight (ASW), which at today’s prices is about $358.92 in melt value. But let’s be honest — the real excitement comes from the numismatic potential. If any of these grade well, they could be worth a lot more.

Grading and Preserving My Finds

After a find like this, my first thought was preservation. For silver halves — especially Walkers and Franklins — handle them with care. I use cotton gloves to avoid leaving oils or scratches. Pay close attention to the high points of wear, like Liberty’s shoulder on Walkers. If any look uncirculated, it might be worth sending them to PCGS or NGC for grading.

Don’t overlook the Kennedys either! Even though they came from rolls, some of the 90% ones might be in surprisingly good shape. Check those dates and mint marks — you never know when you’ve got a rarity.

Market Observations: Why This Matters

Let’s face it: finds like this are almost unheard of these days. Silver hunting has gotten tougher, with fewer banks offering customer-wrapped rolls and more competition. The melt value is a nice chunk of change, but the real upside comes from numismatic premiums — high-grade coins can add 20% to 50% or more. For example, an uncirculated Franklin half might bring $20 to $30 at auction.

That’s why it pays to watch silver prices and collector trends. Demand for pre-1965 coins hasn’t let up, so persistence really can pay off.

Practical Tips for Silver Seekers

If you’re hoping to replicate my luck, here’s what I’ve learned after years in the hobby:

• Always ask for customer-wrapped rolls (CWR) at banks — they’re the best chance for overlooked silver
• Make a habit of checking CoinStar reject trays. I’ve pulled silver dimes out of there!
• Try different bank branches. Even now, some still have old inventory sitting around
• Stick with it. I went seven years without a big silver half find before this. But then again, years ago I found 20 silver halves in a store’s till. It can happen when you least expect it

Reflections on Luck and Persistence

Looking back, luck was definitely a big factor — right place, right time. But without putting in the time for years, I wouldn’t have been there to get this haul. I’ve had my share of dry spells (seven years without a silver half, remember?), but finds like this are why I stay hooked. It’s not just the money — it’s that jolt of excitement when you hold a piece of history. So keep at it, fellow hunters. Your dream find might be waiting in the next roll.