Selling Silver Finds From Bank Box Hunts: eBay vs. Coin Shows for No “W” Quarters, Proof Florida Issues, and Dime Box Scores

The venue you choose to sell your finds can make or break your net profit. I’ve spent years comparing the modern digital market to the traditional dealer bourse floor. As an online coin dealer who has handled everything from raw bank box rejects to certified early type, I’ll tell you straight: a successful liquidation versus a break-even chore often comes down to where you sell. Inspired by a forum thread where a member’s wife pulled silver from a bank box—including a proof Florida quarter and silver dimes—let’s examine the age-old question for modern hunters: eBay or coin shows?

Understanding the Bank Box Phenomenon

For those new to the lingo, a “bank box” means the standard $500 boxes of quarters (or other denominations) that banks get from the Federal Reserve. They hold 50 rolls of 40 coins each. As one forum member put it, coins “used to come in bags, now they are rolled and those rolls are put in boxes and shipped to banks.” Tellers break them down, and savvy hunters buy whole boxes to search for silver, mint errors, and low-mintage issues like the 2019–2020 “W” mint mark quarters.

In the thread that sparked this article, the original poster’s wife didn’t find “W” quarters that week. But she did uncover a proof Florida quarter (part of the 50 State Quarters Proof series, struck in 90% silver for the clad proof sets of that era) and silver dimes from a separate box. Having examined hundreds of such “box scores,” I can confirm: the liquidity path you choose matters more than the find itself.

What Makes These Finds Marketable?

• Proof Florida Quarter (silver): Typically from a 1999–2008 Silver Proof Set, .900 silver, 6.25g, with mirrored fields and frosted devices that show real eye appeal.
• Silver Dimes: Pre-1965 Roosevelt dimes (90% silver) or occasionally Mercury dimes with added numismatic value and collectibility.
• “W” Quarters: West Point strikes from 2019–2020, a rare variety carrying strong collector demand even in circulated grades.

eBay Fees: The Hidden Tax on Your Box Score

As an online coin dealer, I live and die by fee structures. List that proof Florida quarter on eBay and you’re facing a final value fee of roughly 13.25% (including payment processing) on the total sale, plus insertion fees if you blow past your free monthly allotment. On a silver dime lot, those numbers erode fast.

Breaking Down the Real Cost

1. Insertion fees: Usually free for 250 listings/month, but promoted listings add 2–12%.
2. Final Value Fee: 13.25% of hammer + shipping.
3. Shipping & supplies: Rigid mailers, bubble wrap, and insurance for silver content.
4. Time cost: Photography, listing, customer service, and returns.

Sell a $100 silver dime lot and you’ll net around $85 after fees and shipping. At a coin show, a dealer buy price of $80–90 gets you the same cash with zero listing overhead.

Coin Show Etiquette and Dealer Buy Prices

Traditional bourse floors run on different rules. I’ve set up at shows from FUN to local flea-market hybrids, and etiquette is everything. Walk up with a bank box score? Follow these norms:

Do’s and Don’ts at the Bourse

• Do organize your coins by type and date before approaching a dealer.
• Do ask, “Are you buying raw silver and proofs today?” before dumping a box.
• Don’t expect retail; dealer buy prices are wholesale (typically 70–85% of melt for silver).
• Don’t haggle loudly; quiet negotiation respects the floor.

From my experience grading and buying, a dealer will pay about $13.50 per $10FV silver dimes (depending on spot), and maybe $25–40 for a standalone silver proof Florida quarter depending on cameo contrast and luster. That liquidity is instant—no waiting 30 days for eBay funds.

Liquidity: Speed vs. Maximum Return

Liquidity means turning an asset into cash. eBay gives global reach; a rare VAM or toned proof can ignite a bidding war. But for common bank box silver, the show is faster. Hand over the coins, get a count, walk with cash.

When eBay Wins on Liquidity

Pull a 2019-W Quarter in MS67 or a proof with deep cameo? eBay’s audience pays a premium no local dealer matches. I’ve sold 2020-W quarters for $30+ that dealers offered $8 for across the table.

When the Show Wins

For bulk silver dimes and low-grade proofs, the show is king. No fees, no shipping, no feedback risk.

Online Reputation: The Dealer’s Digital Shadow

As an online coin dealer, my reputation is my inventory. One “coin not as described” claim can sink a store. When selling bank box finds:

Building Trust in the Digital Space

• Use high-res macros showing scratches, toning, and rim issues.
• State exact mint marks (e.g., “no W, but Philadelphia D” if relevant).
• Offer 30-day returns to buffer buyer anxiety.
• Never use stock images for raw finds.

Forum hunters moving to eBay underestimate this. A proof Florida quarter listed “silver proof UNC” without photos of the mirror field draws disputes. At a coin show, the dealer inspects in hand—reputation is face-to-face, built on provenance and trust.

Comparative Strategy: A Dealer’s Take

Here is how I advise sellers in variation #34 of this eternal debate:

Step-by-Step Liquidation Plan

1. Sort bank box finds into: silver bullion, proof issues, “W” quarters, errors.
2. Get spot price for silver dimes via kitco.com before the show.
3. List unique items (proofs, W’s) on eBay with strong SEO titles.
4. Take bulk silver to a show for instant dealer buy.
5. Track your net per hour; bank box hunting is a low hourly rate but fun.

One forum member joked, “It’s a low hourly rate, but have fun!” That’s the soul of the hobby. But when fun turns to profit, venue choice is strategic.

Authentication Notes for Bank Box Silver

I’ve examined countless box coins. Key markers:

• Pre-1965 dimes: Reeded edge, no copper stripe when viewed from rim.
• Silver proof state quarters: “S” mint mark, mirrored field, no clad layer.
• W quarters: Tiny “W” left of Washington’s neck on obverse.

Never assume a proof is silver without checking the mint mark and weight (silver proof quarter = 6.25g vs clad 5.67g). The strike and patina tell the rest.

Conclusion: Where Should Your Box Score Go?

The historical importance of bank box hunting lies in its democratization of numismatics—anyone with $500 and a bank relationship can search for silver relics of the 20th century. The proof Florida quarter represents the tail end of the classic US Mint proof tradition; the silver dimes are surviving fragments of a pre-fiat coinage system with real collectibility.

As an online coin dealer, my verdict for variation #34: Use eBay for the scarce and spectacular (W quarters, cameo proofs) where online reputation and reach multiply numismatic value. Use coin shows for the repetitive and bulk (silver dimes, common proofs) where dealer buy prices and zero fees preserve margin. Master both, respect show etiquette, and your bank box hobby becomes a profitable, historically rich pursuit in mint condition for your wallet.

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