In an earlier post we talked about what gold and silver mean to the average prepper – so as a follow-up, today we wanted to share some insider tips on buying “junk silver”. For those of you new to this phrase, junk silver is any silver coin which is in fair condition and has no numismatic or collectible value above the bullion value of the silver it contains. Basically, its a old silver coin that’s worthless as a collectible, but has value due to it’s silver content. Why is silver so valuable to preppers? To answer that question, read of previous post “Gold, Silver and Financial Collapse”

Now that you understand what junk silver is and why you want it – Here are 5 great ways to find silver on the cheap. Junk Silver as it’s called by many people is often categorized as minted coins from circulation that contain between 35% and 90% Silver. We’ve recently found thousands of dollars worth of junk / circulated silver coins and only spent a fraction of the current spot price using the following strategies.

1.) Coin Roll Searching

Coin roll or loose coin searching is a great way to find junk silver on the cheap. How does it work? Just like it sounds for the most part. You search rolls or loose coins for those coins usually minted before 1965. If you’re not sure if your coin is silver then do a simple google search for “Is my coin Silver?” – numerous tools are available online to help you answer that question.

2.) Antique Stores

Antique Stores and dealer shops are a great place to find junk silver at a relatively low price, assuming they don’t update their prices every week or month. When silver prices spike you can almost always find a store selling the coins at a price that is lower than that of spot price. I recently bought a roll of Barber Halves, a Roll of Walking Liberty

Halves, 17 Peace and Morgan Dollars all for well under spot price and hundreds of dollars less than what they go for online. But fair warning – You may have to do a bit of driving but it’s well worth the effort.

3.) Gas Stations/Stores

Next time you fill up your car be sure to pay inside, when the teller opens his drawer have a look inside to see if he has any strange coins. In this economy people are using old coins to pay for things like Gas, Food, and other basic needs. Remember you can’t eat silver. If they don’t have anything strange ask to “buy a roll” of quarters, dimes, and maybe even nickels. Once you searched the rolls you can always wrap it back up and spend it elsewhere.

4.) CoinStar / Coin Counting Machines

CoinStar machines have been known to kick out strange coins. Many times these coins are foreign, sometimes they are local silver coins. Either way you may want to check the return bin next time you pass one. In addition to this try asking the registers near the coin machines. If the machine doesn’t take the coin the person will usually hand the coin over to the teller with the receipt. It’s a great way to find junk silver coins. My wife recently found a Chinese Yuan, a Flattened Penny, and one teller even had a 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar (that’s 90% silver boys and girls)

5.) Garage Sales & Flea Markets

Assuming you are willing to get up early on a Saturday morning to feed your silver craving then you might find some amazing scores at your local yard or garage sales. Most people don’t know the Silver Coin Melt Values for the standard US Minted coins right off the top of there head. They may even be relying on a book from 2010, 2009, 2008 to define the value of their coins. This represents a great opportunity to score some good silver coins for rock bottom prices.

*BONUS* a few more ways to Get Junk Silver!

I was checking out a few of the coin shops in a town about 30 minutes away, and was surprised to find that the shop keeper had a special stash of junk silver rolls, that he sold for spot. He looked up the current spot price and calculated the coins by that. I bought a roll of 64 Kennedys for spot. He had all sorts of junk coinage. Looking around his shop you couldn’t even tell however. His display unit contained collectable coins, it wasn’t until I asked him about loose junk silver that he offered up his “stash” from a drawer in a desk in the back. When the price goes down a bit you better believe I’ll be stopping back in to buy some bulk junk silver.

It is and most likely always will be possible to get Junk Silver Coins at Spot price if you just shop around. We suggest getting to know the guys and gals at your local coin, pawn, and antique shops. If you are really dedicated give them your number and ask them to give you a call when they get “old coins” in. Don’t call it “junk silver coins” you’ll likely get some strange looks, and may not get a call until some really bashed up cull coins arrive. Yes this has actually happened to us in the past. We are saying this from first hand experience.

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