2-23-10 - Mass Counting

[ampersand]

At some point, someone will get the bright idea of having a funky dual-metal coin like the 2 Euro coin.

[Mae Dean]

Based on those numbers, and the composition of the coins in question, 4 lbs of nickels - face value of $18, would yield 1 lb of Nickel at $9.31, and 3 lbs of Copper at $9.96... so for all that, you'd get a profit of 1.27. Which, considering you'd have to spend the energy needed to MELT all those coins and then separate the metals out of the alloy, means to do so would be operating at a huge loss.

[BtEO]

At some point, someone will get the bright idea of having a funky dual-metal coin like the 2 Euro coin.

Screw that. Our coins now combine their powers to form… something.

[WaffleMage]

Worst. Jigsaw. Ever.

[Arrakis]

About the two in one coins, meet the toonie: http://www.gettagged.ca/images/toonie.jpg

Also, this comic has a lot of weight to it.

[Mae Dean]

Holy craps, Robin... I need to get my hands on some 2008 UK coin proofs like, NOW. That's fucking awesome.

[FireAza]

Jeez, do you guys not have machines at the bank that count coins over there? Or tellers?

[ShadowDog]

Dude, just get some coin wrappers from the bank. They're FREE.

Oh NOW you tell me! I've only been buying coin wrappers for the past 10 years. D'OH!

[chibi-acer]

Personally, I use the Coinstar machines to cash in my loose change. I actually took the time to count out a jar full of money, and when I cashed it in the machine counted it all out. Out of $90 worth of change it was definitely accurate within $0.50. I'm not 100% sure of the exactness because there were a handful of coins that it wouldn't take (Canadian or damaged coins).

Coinstar normally takes a 10% cut when you cash out, but if you convert it to a gift certificate they give you the full amount. I usually trade in for Amazon.com certificates, since I'll be sure to order something from them sooner or later. It gives you a coupon code that you enter onto your account that saves as credit until you spend it.

Looks like there's several Coinstar machines in the Rancho Murieta area, though the 2 Walmart ones don't do gift certificates. http://locator.coinstar.com/map.aspx?la ... &zip=95683

[BtEO]

The 2008 proofs (well the second set, 2008 saw coins minted in both the old and new designs) sold quickly for some reason.

But they were not one-off designs, so the 2009 and 2010 Proofs are still available in Standard (2010, 2009), Deluxe (2010, 2009), or Executive (2010, 2009) configurations. Some hunting on eBay turned up one buy-it-now at a not totally unreasonable price. If you insist on 2008 proofs take care to make sure you're getting the shield designs, not the other ones.

Also, if you suddenly win the lottery you can still get a 2010 Silver Proof set. My brother acquired a set of silver proofs from the '90, the silver penny in particular is just beautiful — probably because it just normally looks so ugly.

[shorty82]

Weighing coins is nothing new. Businesses have been doing it for years instead of counting them by hand. My company just recently started using scales for when managers do drawer audits. The coins are in little removable cups in the drawers, they take one out, set it on the scale, and it tells them how many of that particular coin there are. What surprised me about these scales is that they can even count bills by weight. There's a little bit more work to that as they can't just set them on there like they do coins but it works.

Counting coins by weight must be pretty accurate as numerous companies do it, even at the end of the day when they need to know exactly how many coins there are in the drawer. I'm sure there's some variance with the bills as bills get ripped and dirty but it is accurate enough for a drawer audit. The drawers at my company are still counted down at the end of the day using standard coin and bill counters.

[darcerin]

Dude, just get some coin wrappers from the bank. They're FREE.

Oh NOW you tell me! I've only been buying coin wrappers for the past 10 years. D'OH!

I've considered doing that, but then when I go to the bank and ask for them, the tellers are more than happy to throw a bundle of them my way. Unfortunately, money doesn't last long around my house, so we rarely have need of anything beyond the penny wrappers. I'll be happy to send you the excess ones, because we seriously DO NOT need them.

And damn it Greg, now I have to find a pre-1982 penny to test the sound.

I wonder how much those indian head nickles and the early 1900's pennies are going for these days. I know I have some hidden around the house *somewhere*.

[ShadowDog]

Today's comic on this subject was funny. Always love Tony's sarcasm.

[Remolay]

Q: Why the heck is there a 2 pence coin?

[teddy]

Q: Why the heck is there a 2 pence coin?

So that Americans look like fucking retards automatically pulling the largest coin out of their pocket to pay for something. Seriously, when I was over there I had to start keeping pounds in one pocket and the rest of the change in my other just so I didn't get stabbed at a Tesco for holding up the line.