We never see well worn coins in

[jabbo]

our pocket change today. In the 1950's they were very common. Today, every coin looks like it was minted yesterday.

 

[Geo Unit]

Altho the newer stuff seems to corrode much quicker on saltwater beaches.

 

[norman maassey]

You sould see some of the Zinc pennies I dig here in Texas they rot after a few years.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Jabbo,lots of black clad and dissolved zinc pennies in the self help checkouts where I shop.Maybe clad is pulled out of circulation before any wear can take place same for zinc pennies.

 

[gear box]

Ya jabbo I see that to but I think it's because the outside of the clad is harder and more durable than the silver of year's ago. While we're on the subject, how many of you can remember getting silver in change at the store. I'm 59 and can remember one time when my Dad got a barber quarter in change. Somewhere in the early sixties if I recall correctly. Granted it was as smooth as an ice cube and no detail was left, but it was Barber quarter.
Good hunting Gary

 

[Woodchuck]

Here in Va soil all coins i dig up look like they were dipped in acid , in just a few years here in the ground. And yeah the pennys are already broken,chipped and useless alot of times.Unless the coin was recently loss no shiny coins for me.

 

[gilfordberry]

How do you make a battery? Two dissimilar metals (how about zinc and copper?) and a little liquid. Is it surprising our clad pennies self destruct almost as fast as the mint can make 'em? Another case of our government in action. Better hope they don't start making cars.....oops.....

 

[digginLa]

It doesnt take long for zinc pennies to start looking bad here in NE Louisiana either, plus stuff out of wood mulch playgrounds look kinda rough too, guess maybe the woods more acidic?

 

[Johnny Cache]

My father-in-law works part time in a store and brings me the silver that people come in and spend. In the last week he has brought me 2 quarters and 2 dimes. I can't believe people still spend silver coins!!!

 

[fongu]

When I was 11 or 12, I got a 1929 quarter in some change and intended to save it. But, bought a soda with it instead by mistake and the station where I bought the soda was closed. I bet the guys who used to fill up those vending machines picked up some nice coins. It was the oldest coin I ever had in my hands at that time. A man at a junk yard paid my older brother for some scrap metal with silver dollars, but someone conned him out of them. I remember one of them was from 1896? When silver is all you have, you spend it. I remember taking the baseball cards that came with the square of gum and clipping them to the frame of our bicycles and letting the spokes hit the card to make some noise. Topps? Anyway, I wonder how much those cards would be worth now?

 

[BusDigger]

May not be long before people are spending bits of gold and silver.

Wonder how much of it will get dropped

Smitty