Once in a Lifetime: My Haul of 62 Silver Coins from 9 Rolls

After years of chasing silver in the wild, I thought I’d seen it all. But my latest find? It’s the stuff collector legends are made of—a true once-in-a-lifetime moment that reignited my numismatic spark!

The Jaw-Dropping Discovery

It began as a routine bank run for customer wrapped rolls. When silver coins came pouring out of that first roll, my heart nearly stopped. I scrambled back to clean them out—nine rolls total yielded 62 silver coins. Honestly? My hands shook for an hour afterward.

• 6 Walking Liberty half dollars: That iconic design still gives me chills every time I spot one
• 6 Franklin half dollars: Underappreciated workhorses packed with silver goodness
• 3 Kennedy half dollars (90% silver): Circulated gems that rarely turn up anymore
• 47 Kennedy half dollars (40% silver): The backbone of the haul—proof that volume matters

Total haul: 13.58 ounces of silver. At current prices, that’s about $359 in melt value alone. But as we all know, the real magic happens when you spot collector premiums—especially on those Walkers with strong details.

Grading and Preservation Tips

When you score big, slow down and savor the inspection. Here’s what I did with mine: grabbed my trusty 10x loupe to check surfaces for wear and mint marks. Those Walkers? Several looked Fine to Extra Fine—meaning they could easily double in value. Always handle by the edges (you know the drill) and tuck them in acid-free flips immediately. Even the 40% Kennedys deserve attention—sharp strikes and clean fields can mean premiums, especially for uncirculated examples.

Practical Advice for Fellow Hunters

After thirty years in this game, here’s what actually works:

• Customer wrapped rolls (CWRs) are golden: Tellers often inherit these from estates—just ask politely like I did
• Patience is everything: My last big score before this was seven years ago—a mere 20 halves in a convenience store drawer. The dry spells make the wins sweeter
• Dates tell stories: Spotting that 1967 Kennedy helped me piece together this collection’s history. Always track date ranges—they reveal silver content shifts like the post-1964 drop
• Let melt value guide you: I watch silver prices daily through simple apps. When common coins pile up, sometimes selling for melt funds future hunts—but never let key dates slip away

Market Observations and Final Thoughts

Finds like this remind me why I love our hobby—it’s equal parts history lesson and treasure hunt. With economic winds shifting, more forgotten stashes are entering circulation through banks. Was I lucky? Absolutely. But showing up week after week is what puts you in position for that magical moment. This haul has me falling in love with the chase all over again. So keep at it, friends—your own legendary score might be hiding in the next roll you crack open.