Acquired 200lbs of loose, mixed, US coins. Advice on how to proceed?
Semi-distant relative passed and my family helped sort out the estate. Person was... eccentric. We ended up finding about 200lbs (in # labeled boxes) of random loose US coins. Seemed they just emptied their pockets into boxes and let them sit.
Family gave them to me, knowing that I used to CRH for silver half dollars mainly because they didn't want to deal with them. I know 98% of these coins will have zero numismatic value above face value, but I hate the idea of missing a diamond in the rough!
My current plan is to separate all the "copper" pennies (plenty of both pre and post - 1982) in my spare time, while watching shows or something. Aside from that I don't know what to target.
Obviously keeping an eye out for silver, but is it worth picking like 10 very specific coins and put blinders on when sifting? I was thinking like pre-82 copper, 2009 Lincoln pennies, proofs in general, Delaware for spitting horse examination, etc. Things I don't need a monocle for type selections.
Any input is appreciated. My credit union still has a coin counter so all else fails, I can easily dump them.
Posted Feb 24, 2026, 1:38 AM UTC