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Ryedale
Administrator
USA
523 Posts |
 Posted - 11/30/2007 : 19:54:29
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There is much discussion of "sorting" here, and not as much information about returning the zincs. This seems to be a sticking point for many potential sorters. Perhaps a good open discussion would be welcome about the many methods of returning or re-injecting zincolns.
My personal experiences are as follows. When I first started hoarding, I picked up a commercial coin wrapper on Ebay. These are very expensive machines, and I was fortunate to pick one up for under $1000. Then I started bugging my bank for boxes of unsorted coins, and of course with that I wanted to then Trade my re-wrapped (in perfect commercial paper, or what many call bank-wrapped rolls) I did this for many months, and built my hoard to about 500lbs. Then the machine took off, and I abandoned that method, for the bulk return at a credit union. I now have 2 credit unions that take back my loose coins, and I simply weigh the coins into return bags, and drop off as much as $300. I'll say this method takes lots of "talk" and the tellers get big eyes when you come in. Heres a trick though, If you buy at one bank, return at another.
I've also done one other thing that seems to pay back dividends. I took a $10 Sams bag of Hersheys Miniatures to the return bank, and while pulling out bags of pennies, (from my duffle bag) I also pulled out the chocolate and piled it right there with the coins. The teller nearly lept over the counter, and said "you just made my day" So if you Grease the Wheels a little, it really helps.
If your in a small market area, IE not enough banks etc, you may have to float the zinc a bit longer, and return it in a larger market, say once a month or something.
Best thing to do is call every bank in the yellow pages, and boldly ask what types of coin services they have, tell them you have large amounts of "change" and need a reliable place to drop it. Find the ones that have free coin counting to members. I have one that is free, and one that charges 2% for quantities over $5 dollars. If I have a heavy week of hoarding say 450 in zinc to return, I'll take $300 to one, and $150 to the 2% place. It takes a bit of time to get these relationships built, but if you do the work you will probably be rewarded, and like I said if you do get a good thing going, then you should treat it like gold, because it's one of the 4 key components of hoarding copper. which are as follows.
1 aquiring coins
2 sorting the coins
3 returning the zincs (wrapped or loose)
4 Selling or hoarding the copper
Everyone please feel free to jump in here and add your personal experiences, Perhaps a bit of networking too, can open the door to new opportunities for people in the next county or a few miles down the road. For instance, one of my buddies drives through my town occatioanlly, and knows my dump bank can take good quantity, I'll sometimes take some of his zinc say a few hundred dollars and return it with mine on a light week. There are of course limitations but
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Ryedale
GET YOUR DRI-SLIDE FROM IRONBRAID
http://www.ironbraid.com/driside.html
Used with permission from Ironbraid.
Quote
"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the most tempting moment."
— Dorothy Neville-Rolfe |
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Epaphras
Penny Collector Member
USA
382 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2007 : 20:30:13
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| Since I am a manuel sorter, I rewrap the zinc cents in wrappers I get from the bank or recycled rolls. I believe banks perfer rolled zincs then a bag of 5000. That way I don't have to hear "we have a penny shortage because you took them all" and all that other nonsense. I mark the rolls I return so I do not get the same rolls back. So one bank is a source and dump bank; the other two banks are source banks I use on ocassion. I don't know about every one else, but I have found that the most time-consuming part of hoarding copper cents is 'counting', rolling, marking, and returning. I am not as big-time as some one here, so I don't have to worry about being afraid overloading a bank with zinc. I believe the most I have returned at one time was about $60 once a week. |
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MormonMetal
Penny Pincher Member
USA
150 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2007 : 20:39:01
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| I go the credit union route. I belong to one that has 3 branches within 5 miles, 5 branches within 10 miles, and seven branches total within 15 miles. Each branch has a free coin machine. The machine stores the coins in bulk bags, unsorted, and only "fill" when it reaches a weight limit. A bag will hold roughly $150 in zincs before it needs to be changed. I can dump around $300 without bothering the bank ladies too much. I normally don't have to dump that much, so I just rotate between banks weekly. Many don't see me for over a month. If need be I could dump over $2,000 a week. I had the disposal part figured out shortly after starting to hoard. The wife started to get mad about having more in pennies than in paper money. So, I had to find a way to convert the zinc into paper quickly. Plus I pay my water bill with pennies. It's never more than $30 a month, and they haven't complained yet. |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2007 : 21:20:12
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Great topic! This is something that is important to all of us. Maybe we can share a few ideas that will help each other. I agree with Epaphras that the most time consuming part of hoarding is the prepping and returning of the unwanted zincs. I think he is right that they would prefer rolls to bags of 5000 also. I am willing to package the coins however a bank is willing to take them. For me it is a little faster to count them into bags of 5000 since I have several high speed counters, but I have 2 automatic rolling machines also for those banks that will only take them rolled. The rolling machines are a little slower, but are still a lot faster than the way I used to reroll them. The high cost of automatic rolling machines make it only worthwhile if you are doing serious volume.
Like Ryedale said, disposing of the zinc is one of the 4 key components of hoarding. I think it is the most challenging part. He also said that if you have a good thing going you should treasure it.. I also have done the bribing with chocolate thing. I go into the bank and tell them it is banker appreciation day and hand out chocolates. Bankers are people too, and they like to be appreciated. A little chocolate goes a long way. I messed up my best deal by overdoing it a bit. I was dumping about $600 a week at my local dump bank on a pretty regular basis and then I decided to take my sorting to the next level and dumped about $2500 in the space of about a week. That was just a bit much so they had a little talk with me. Fortunately they didn't completely cut me off, but now they limit me to just one pickup and one drop off of $600 per month. It was just too darned convenient being able to just bag it up and drop it off.. I think I got a little spoiled. So now I have to work a little harder at disposing of my zinc and spread the action around a little more. It helps if you have accounts at lots of banks and especially if those banks have lots of branches. Each branch will be different on amounts they will take and what form is acceptable (bags or rolled).
Here are a few other ways I have found to dispose of zinc since there are no banks or credit unions with free coin counters near me.
Coinstar - If they have a gift certificate or ecard you can use there is no fee and you can get rid of a few bags this way.
Gas Station - I spend a lot of money on gas. Usually I pay in cash. Sometimes I pay part of the gas cost in rolls of pennies.. the guys at the gas station laugh a little bit but they take them.
Hardware Store - The other day I wanted to buy a new workbench that was on sale. I got them to take 2 boxes of rolled pennies as part of the payment. I figured they would either take my pennies or they were not going to get the sale.
Fast Food Restaurants - They are always hurting for pennies and usually don't mind if a couple of bucks of your purchase is paid for with rolls of pennies.
Bridge tolls - Bridge tolls in my area are up to $4 now. I don't think I have paid a bridge toll with anything but pennies in the last 2 years <G>
Swapping them out at work - We get a coin drop from the armored car service at work every day. I swap out rolls of zinc for the unsorted rolls every day. This gets rid of 8 rolls of zinc per day (40 per week) and also gets me some fresh rolls to search. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2007 : 12:24:52
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| Found another place to get rid of zincs. This time of year there are a lot of extra Santas ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Imagine the fun of filling up that kettle with zinc cents. The Salvation Army is a great charity.. and you get rid of a bunch of zincs at the same time.. what could be better? |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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Tourney64
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1035 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2007 : 14:45:27
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We use the credit union route for our coin returns and the free sorter to members. Only problem is the wife returns the coins, and I never see the cash so I can buy more coins. She also complains about too many pennies around.
I also tithe with coin at our church.
I also tip with coins at restaurants. |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 00:53:18
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| Ever notice how those gas stations have been sticking it to us lately? The solution.. pay em in zincs!!! I bought $10 worth all with pennies today. I may start doing this regularly at several gas stations. I buy a lot of gas. Also paid Starbucks in penny rolls today too. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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NotABigDeal
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 06:38:22
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I drive an SUV. I should fill up with pennies. Good way to get rid of quite a few zincs....Almost $50 in zinc. Not a bad idea. Now you have me thinking. Hit all four gas stations at certain intersections. Buy $10 at each, quick 4000 zincs gone. I need gas anyway, and don't need zincs. Deal made in heaven. I'm going to try it this week. Zinc disposal is the only thing prohibiting me from getting a Ryedale.
Deal |
Live free or die.
Plain and simple.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your council or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams |
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El Dee
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
547 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 10:11:30
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You pay COMPLETELY with pennies? It must look funny to drop 2 boxes of pennies on the counter. Your regular stations will start chasing you off when you pull up.
It's easy to get rid of about $4 - $5 of zinc every day (small $ - but hey)
Everybody will accept $1 if it's rolled up. Every food joint, beer store, gas station, drug store, coffee shop gets dollar bills + 2 rolls of pennies, or a five + 2 rolls of pennies. 2 rolls fit in the drawer and won't make the cashier crabby. I haven't tried more than 2 to avoid calls to the manager to see if it's OK, holding up the line, etc.
Got an SUV? 10 stops for gas on the way to the mall - $10 zinc gone!
The only difficulties I've had are with teenagers that can't grasp that 2 rolls of pennies = $1. I blame publik skools for that. |
Trust the government? Ask an Indian. |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 10:54:59
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Yeah, dem publik skools ain't worth the money we spend on them. Sometimes I mix the rolls of pennies with other money for larger purchases, but I actually did drop 2 boxes of zinc at the hardware store for something I wanted. There is one gas station on a corner near my house that I think I might drop a box of zinc on. I noticed the other day when buying some gas there that they charge 6 cents more per gallon if you use a credit card versus paying in cash... guess I will be paying in cash <G>
Zinc disposal is my biggest problem too.. hopefully more folks will come up with creative ideas. All my zincs are rolled by machine so they are more apt to accept them than if I hand rolled them. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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Miser-stro
Penny Sorter Member
74 Posts |
 Posted - 01/08/2008 : 14:16:49
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True, and besides the schools the kids don't give a crap about learning anything.
This morning I went to the grocery store, bill was $6. I gave the young girl a 5 spot and 2 Kennedy 1/2s. She looked at the halves like she has never seen one before. After flipping them over and over for a few minutes....
"Um, I'm not sure if we take these or not"
I wanted to say "what, you don't take money?"
I should have let her call the manager, but I was in a hurry so just paid with "normal" money.
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
 Posted - 01/08/2008 : 22:33:31
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LOL.. The other day I bought some gas with Ike Dollars. The clerk looked at them and said "What are these?" Very slowly I said "D O L L A R S" then I told him they just don't make them the way they used to.
That's the beauty of paying with zinc pennies.. they know they don't really want them, but at least they know what they are. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
Edited by - HoardCopperByTheTon on 01/08/2008 22:35:06 |
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n/a
deleted
27 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 13:31:19
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quote:
Originally posted by HoardCopperByTheTon
I noticed the other day when buying some gas there that they charge 6 cents more per gallon if you use a credit card versus paying in cash... guess I will be paying in cash <G>
Thats too funny ! i got to try that ! |
Scrooge's signature dive into money. |
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fiatboy
Administrator
912 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 13:46:41
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quote:
The clerk looked at them and said "What are these?" Very slowly I said "D O L L A R S"
hahaha. That's too funny. |
"Bart, it's not about how many stocks you have, it's about how much copper wire you can get out of the building." --- Homer Simpson |
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starwarsgeek171
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
651 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 15:54:43
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, dem publik skools ain't worth the money we spend on them.
I'm sure that you realize that some of us (teachers) are really trying to engage the students. I truly go out of my way to help them learn about money and finances, and I stay after school every day on my own time to support struggling students (in additon to coin club on Fridays). I also run a token economy in my room (for the kids who behave, put forth effort and/or succeed with new skills) and donate well over a thousand dollars a year in prizes! Unfortunately, most students don't seem to care anymore (broken homes, no positive role models, drugs, sex, video games - you name it), and the schools have very few options in terms of consequences in todays PC/no-fault society. Most importantly, there is no more academic accountability due to social promotion.
In terms of the original post, I'll be saving my zincs from now on (see penny pyramid)!
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starwarsgeek171 |
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PennyProspector
Penny Pincher Member
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 20:56:32
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quote:
Originally posted by HoardCopperByTheTon
Found another place to get rid of zincs. This time of year there are a lot of extra Santas ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Imagine the fun of filling up that kettle with zinc cents. The Salvation Army is a great charity.. and you get rid of a bunch of zincs at the same time.. what could be better?
LOL
Did you get a receipt??? It can be deducted?
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Happy Prospecting! |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 21:01:26
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Actually, I have the greatest respect for teachers. I think they are way underpaid for what they do. It seems with the administration and all the cost goes up and up. Half the budget of my state goes to education, and yet it is not enough. They could spend twice as much and I still wonder if the product would improve. We had all those other things when I was a kid.. I come from a broken home, no positive role models, I was too cheap to waste my money on drugs (spent it on coins instead), sex, ah yes.. we all wanted that, video games.. you bet, I still play them today. And yet I somehow came out of the public schools with a good education. I believe it is the parents that are responsible for their kids not getting a good education.. they need to take an active interest in their childrens' education. The schools are provided for them. Good teachers are provided for them. It is up to them to take advantage of what is being freely offered. My comment was meant more to be humorous and to comment on the questionable intelligence of some of the folks we come across in everyday life. Here is another example:
I have 2 large dogs, and was buying a large bag of Purina at Wal-Mart
and was in line to check out. The woman behind me asked if I had a dog?
Duh?
On impulse, I told her no, I was starting The Purina Diet again.
Although I probably shouldn't, because I'd ended up in the hospital the
last time. But I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care
ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way it
works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one
or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete
so I was going to try it again.
I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now
enthralled with my story, particularly a tall guy who was standing
behind her.
Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food
poisoned me? I told her no, I'd been sitting in the street licking my
ass and a car hit me.
I thought the guy standing behind her was going to need help as he
staggered to the door laughing.
Managed to drop some more zinc on gas again today. Still haven't tried dropping a whole box at one station yet. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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El Dee
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
547 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 21:24:46
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Purina Diet? ROTFLMAO
Reminds me of one time I had lunch with a gal I was sweet on. She had a cat, said that one time she had to give it a bath.
Sez I, how did you get all the hair off your tongue?
Let us know how it goes paying for gasoline with a box!
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Trust the government? Ask an Indian. |
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PennyProspector
Penny Pincher Member
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 21:28:24
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I am new to this bulk penny thing.....
But it seems as though, as in every part of life, relationships are the key!
I have stopped in at many banks and have found banks that always tell me "we dont have any bags of pennies" mysteriously seem to find some after they find out that a friend at another bank knows you and sells to you regularly.
around here the banks are a little touchy about talking about when brinks is coming to purchase the bulk loose coin (apperently they are affraid someone will rob them.... Like that could happen lol) In my experience if you can beat the brinks man YOU WIN!!!
I know that around here some banks get brinks pick up on tuesday, some on wed and some on Thurs. the bank tellers often don't bother bagging them till the night B4 so if I am there that AM I can buy the most quantity of bags with the least effort. Some tellers have given me ther direct line to call ahead and they will save them!!
I have also found 2 branches that are the "collection" Branch for several other smaller branches and by going to them I can get 3 time the loot... However they never are going to tell you any of this until after they get used to you.
To get back on point.... Dumping, as I said I am not a big enough sorter to be an expert but I have one local bank ,that already knew me, that I told up front what I was doing and asked the coin teller if she would let me bag the coins into her coin bags of $50 and allow me to bring them back in on tuesday AM and she would sell them directly to brinks who lovingly hauls them off to some other comunity (I think somewhere around the Kalamazoo, Portage Michigan area LOL)
She agreed to trust my count provided I purchase a coin counter, and that I only drop on tuesday AM as the Brinks truck comes on Tues and she (nor any bank) has room for an extra $700+ of pennies, plus since he is coming in a couple of hours, she doesn't even have to move the bags... just leaves on the floor behind the counter.
As I said its relationships, as long as I keep the hasstle minimum for her she is my penny peddler.... (however I think thet Chocolate is probably a good Idea for her also)
Happy Prospecting |
Happy Prospecting! |
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n/a
deleted
27 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 21:30:20
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| ROTFLMAO.... |
Scrooge's signature dive into money. |
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starwarsgeek171
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
651 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 21:39:03
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| Thank you, HoardCopper. |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 21:50:26
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I think you have the right idea PennyProspector.. relationships are the key. I always take the oddball money the tellers are wanting to get rid of so they can balance their drawers easier. They remember that and are always nice to me when I want penny rolls. I know when the Brinks truck comes at most of my banks.. half the time it is loaded down with pennies for me.. LOL. I definately think chocolate is in order for that lady that is getting rid of your zinc. I think you are being modest about your hoarding activity though.. if you have $700 in zinc to dump you are a big time sorter.
I let my banks know that they can call me anytime they have a bunch of rolls so they don't have to bag it up for the Brinks guy. See what a nice guy I am?
What kind of counter did you get? I love coin machines.. my girlfriend thinks I hoard those too.  |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
Edited by - HoardCopperByTheTon on 01/09/2008 22:08:02 |
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PennyProspector
Penny Pincher Member
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 22:25:40
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quote:
Originally posted by HoardCopperByTheTon
They remember that and are always nice to me when I want penny rolls.
What kind of counter did you get?
At Christmas The coin teller at my dump bank was on vacation and the other tellers forgot to order rolls for thier drawers.... I got a phone call from the bank asking me if I could collect 4 boxes of rolled coin for them during my rounds as they where out!!! (I took the opportunity to Save the economic future of our tiny community and got the change they needed in 1 hour)
What Type of machine???
Just a No Name brand off Ebay.... I Think they called it a CS-10? It was from Seller in southern Indiana. I Kept watching used machines selling for $300 and up and I could buy this one for just under $400 Brand New. I timed with a stop watch and it counts about 2500 per min +/- but it has extra belts so I figured it will last for my current needs and when I am done.... I will Recycle it on ebay.
(my dump bank doesnt even have a counter only a sorter so they sort $5 then dump into a bag... WOW no wonder they dont want to count change! So she is thankfull to have them bagged with less chance of error than her sorter)
Happy Prospecting |
Happy Prospecting! |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2008 : 22:50:19
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I did the same thing for one of my banks. They forgot to order coin one week and needed it for their merchants. I was more than happy to play the hero and bring them in 9 boxes of zinc I already had rolled up and boxed to tide them over. Helps to have an automatic coin roller or 2 in the lineup.
I think what you got is a Ribao. I actually picked up another model of that machine that everyone went to sleep on in an auction. I got in trouble at home for buying it. She didn't think I needed another coin counter for some reason.. LOL. I ended up flipping it to a buddy that needed a counter. He is very happy with it. I think your machine is rated at 2600 coins per minute.
Guess I better go home and fire up one of the rolling machines.. I am out of gas money. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
Edited by - HoardCopperByTheTon on 01/09/2008 22:54:44 |
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cyberdan
Penny Collector Member
USA
289 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2008 : 11:55:20
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quote:
[i]...I told her no, I'd been sitting in the street licking my
ass and a car hit me.
Dang you HC, I was laughing soo hard when I read that tears came to my eyes. I am at work and I heard someone coming down my hall so I had to "change windows"  quickly. I couldn't turn around when she same in, my face was too red. |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2008 : 14:30:15
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| Dan.. Levity is important to me. I wouldn't want anyone to think I am a "serious" copper hoarder. Glad I could bring a little mirth into your morning. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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Topic |
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Getting Rid of Zincs
Forum Locked
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