dumb noob questions

[nateadams2]

So i'm getting ready to graduate nursing school and am looking to start saving. These questions may seem a bit stupid to more experienced people in the currency game, but any information would be really really appreciated.

1) I am looking to get into stacking silver and gold as to keep somewhere around 20-30 percent of my retirement package centered around those two. My question about this is, do you really need to keep the bars/rounds in the plastic shrink wrap they are shipped in? Does it hurt the value if you take them out to place them in an airtight container that is available on multiple websites? I personally would prefer this as we have a safe and it would make it much easier for storage if I did not have to deal with all the different sheets.

2) Building off the first question, I remembered that my parents had gotten me a few silver eagles years ago. Me being younger I opened one of them from the plastic container that they were shipped in. The coin looks as if it has began to oxidize and has a dark tint to it. Does this really hurt the value in terms of stacking based on weight? It is still silver, just not as pretty?

3) Now for the dumb question. What coins should I be on the look out for when going through my loose change before cashing it in? As in what dates? The only one I know off the top of my head is pre 82 pennies based off copper which are worth something like 2 cents a piece? I have also heard something about wheat pennies, which I have a few of, but I'm not sure of the significance. If someone could give me a run down of what all to look for in the form of a list I would be much appreciative.

4) Building off 3. If it is illegal to melt us currency, are pennies and such actually worth keeping separate? As well as the nickels and quarters and such?

[bradjames12]

I'm sure someone with better knowledge/opinion will come along, but here are my thoughts.

#1 Keep em in something protected, doesn't matter IMO

#2 Silver is silver IMO, won't affect melt value, might affect numismatic value

#3 coininflation.com is the best resource for melt values of coins and easiest place to find which coins you need to keep an eye out for.

#4 From everything I understand from what I have learned on here, that ban will be going away in the near future. I would keep all pennies before 1982 and as much "junk" silver as possible.

[bjtheman1]

Don't focus on collector pieces, limited, etc...like stated above silver is silver. Generic rounds or bars in 1oz, 5oz, or 10oz is what I'd recommend.

As far as what coins to look for: ( this is my cheat sheet!)

Silver & Coins info

United States Circulated Silver Coinage Intrinsic Value Table

These coins were in standard circulation until silver was removed from all coinage in 1965 and 1970 (40% silver half-dollars).


Description Denomination Silver Value Silver % of Denomination

1942-1945 Nickel **
1916-1945 Mercury Dime
1946-1964 Roosevelt Dime
1916-1930 Standing Liberty Quarter
1932-1964 Quarter
1916-1947 Half Dollar
1948-1963 Half Dollar
1964 Kennedy Half Dollar
1965-1970 Half Dollar (40%)
1878-1921 Morgan Dollar
1921-1935 Peace Dollar
1971-1976 Eisenhower Dollar (40% silver) **
1986-2013 Silver Eagle (.999 Silver)

** The U.S. Mint issued two compositions of the nickel in 1942. The standard copper-nickel composition used today and the 35% silver composition listed here.

Also, 40% silver Eisenhower dollars were issued as collectibles only, they are generally not found in circulation.


All pennies pre 1982 - copper!
All nickels- copper!

[Coug46n2]

Being new myself, I'd love to hear more opinions on #1 and #2. Coming from the card collecting background, storage and protection are huge issues. I'd like to hear more opinions on the storages of silver and gold coins specifically.

So far I have kept my coins in the plastic containers they come in (I order them in lots of 20). I did buy some air-tites yesterday, so will put my loose coins in those. Any other suggestions?

[blake03svtf]

people who only stack for metal content will tell you silver is silver and gold is gold. Put the extra money you will be spending on supplies into more metals.

If you feel the need to keep every individual coin/bar in some type of protection, then do so. But it wont get you more money when its time to sell.

[Coug46n2]

Originally Posted by blake03svtf

people who only stack for metal content will tell you silver is silver and gold is gold. Put the extra money you will be spending on supplies into more metals.

If you feel the need to keep every individual coin/bar in some type of protection, then do so. But it wont get you more money when its time to sell.

I needed this. My obsession with quality and presentation (baseball card background) keeps confusing me when I turn my attention to coins.

[Wickedroller]

Originally Posted by blake03svtf

people who only stack for metal content will tell you silver is silver and gold is gold. Put the extra money you will be spending on supplies into more metals.

If you feel the need to keep every individual coin/bar in some type of protection, then do so. But it wont get you more money when its time to sell.

This isn't always true. If I'm buying coins or bars, I will buy ones with no scratches or toning over ones with.

[MI Rob]

Originally Posted by Coug46n2

I needed this. My obsession with quality and presentation (baseball card background) keeps confusing me when I turn my attention to coins.

That's how I was at first. There are some people who want good quality bars and rounds though. I personally don't care.

[blake03svtf]

I agree too because Ill always pick the scratch free coin over one that's not been protected.

You just have to decide which kind of stacker you want to be. All my coins are in airtites as well.

[03supto]

Originally Posted by blake03svtf

people who only stack for metal content will tell you silver is silver and gold is gold. Put the extra money you will be spending on supplies into more metals.

If you feel the need to keep every individual coin/bar in some type of protection, then do so. But it wont get you more money when its time to sell.

yes, thank you for this advice......i was about to shell out dough for MS 70s too!!!!

[nateadams2]

Now, for people who are stacking due to investment purposes.

Anyone willing to exchange a few PM's about how I should go towards setting up my retirement funds? Not so much as to what stocks and such to invest in. I wouldn't expect anyone to sit and break that down for me. More so just as to what questions I should be asking my future employer as to how my funds are set up and what options I have? What should I push for?