e-Letters: May 3, 2022

Do you keep a jar of “uncollectible” coins? Will you spend or exchange them to help with the current circulation issue?

Any coins that I get in change or when I clean out the coin counter machines that don’t go into my collection (or hoard), I put into a bag. When that bag gets pretty full, I take it to my credit union and dump it into their free coin counter. Back into circulation they go!

Gary
Address withheld

Any of my “junk” coins that total $5 or more go to the bank. The only problem is that, since the pandemic, I use credit cards in 95 percent of my purchases vs. before the pandemic it was only 50 percent.

Steve Cheaney
Address Withheld

Sure, so he can check now and again, I think any collector has a few jars of coins that may have the latest flaw or can be used to buy rolls of coins at the bank.

William Johnston
San Antonio, Texas

I keep my change. It’s my right and I need it for my business as well. I’m worried if I turn it in, it will be hard to obtain.

Name and address withheld

I keep two jars of spare change: one of dimes and quarters and one for all other denominations. Why? Because I prefer cashless transactions and carrying coins for the few times I might use them isn’t worthwhile. I would turn them in to a bank but would need to wrap them and add my account number to every roll. Alternatively, I could take them to a grocery store and redeem them in a coin-counting machine but that would cost me 15 percent. Is there another solution?

Jim Attwood
Cave Creek, Ariz.

I do keep a jar of “uncollectible” coins. There is no incentive to circulate, return or spend physical coins. In my opinion, the purchasing power of coins is extremely limited and used to pay sales taxes.

Many establishments frown and struggle with change. I try rounding purchases up to the nearest dollar when given the opportunity. Also, my credit union charges me to return coinage (even when directly depositing straight into my account).

Chuck Blair
San Antonio, Texas

After I check the coins for potential minting errors, I will turn them in.

James McDade
Address withheld

Wow! Do I fill jars, usually pasta-sauce size, with circulated coins? Absolutely!

This began with the state quarters back in 1999 and has continued to this day: state quarters, the new obverse Jefferson nickel, Territories, and now Women. My jar-filling is limited to quarters and nickels.

However, separately, I fill jars of “road kill” and dropped coins found during my daily walking, and these do fill.

What is done? These jars become my charity contributions, whether it is the local community museum, the local senior center or my old teaching assignment high school. The rule is simple: If you ask or appeal for a donation, then you get a jar, or jars, and have to count and to roll same.

So far, the museum, the senior center and Will C. Wood High School, in Vacaville, Calif., have not refused. Money talks. The bookkeeper for the senior center has her solution: she directs her recently retired husband to sit, to count and to roll. The local museum’s secretary is a retired bank teller, and counting and rolling is second nature.

The only issues are the weight and having the coin wrappers.

For the record, I am currently filling six jars by coin type and denomination.

Michael S. Turrini
Vallejo, Calif.

I usually save them in a jar, roll them and then turn them in to the bank.

Frank Pipolo
South Plainfield, N.J.

I save the coins in a jar and give the money to my grandchildren to spend while on vacation.

Rich Rynda
Valencia, Calif.

Yes. Just brought over $900 to the bank and have more to come!

Roy G. Gedat
Naples, Maine

I try to spend all coins these days. I spend impaired proof coins and older Jefferson nickels, too. People seem to love getting those in change! It will spur future collectors.

Brian Romancheck
Drums, Pa.

I typically put coins into rolls. When I heard that there was a coin shortage during the pandemic, I brought the coins I had been rolling for several years to the bank. They were overjoyed at receiving over $1,600 in coins. If there is another shortage, I have a few rolls that I will gladly bring to the bank once again.

Ray Perrotti
Address withheld

I don’t have a coin jar, but I would buy someone else’s as long as they have not been revised. I collect errors. I will buy up to $50 in mixed coins at a time. After looking at them, I’ll put them back in circulation.

Rolando Rodriguez.
Boynton Beach, Fla.

I have multiple tote containers filled with change. It’s mine and I/we are keeping them for when the ... worthless paper dollar crashes! Duh.

Michael Javick
Address withheld

I would if I had such a jar.

Steve Woods
Address withheld