1960's and earlier 5c choice or better examples are showing up in circulated rolls

My favorite way to collect is by discovering, not buying. And I figure everyone else out there is already collecting older coins, so I focus on modern. So original bank wraps and circulated bank rolls are my affordable way of collecting.

It'll be a few months before I send my next grading submission, so I'll post more on the OBW coins later. But my latest circulated bank roll haul was-

DIMES (4 rolls)

2007 D gem++ possible FT

1995 p choice with interesting alligator texture

and about 8 cull coins (for 2x2's or gem rolls)

NICKELS (7 rolls)

1988 D xf- RPM

1958 D choice or gem with nice not full steps

and 5 cull coins (I save anything older than 1960, as well as all S mints)

CENTS (12 rolls)

2009 D LP4 gem++

1982 D lg copper au RPM #8

1981 D f RPM #2

and about 15 cull coins (I save gems for BU rolls)

For all dimes and nickels, 1990's decade dates are now outnumbering 2000's decade in circulation. I haven't seen silver in a few months. 2008s were numerous 9 months ago, but 2007s now outnumber 2008s.

For nickels, this 1958 D example (pictured) is the latest in a trend. I've found some nice nickels from the 1960's. When they're so pristine but not saved alone for all these years, the toning tends to be nice too!

As for the cents: NOT A SINGLE WHEAT IN 12 ROLLS. That's unprecedented. I did go to a downtown bank branch for these coins - perhaps their coins trend differently.

I'm not made of time, and I'm swimming through unopened OBWs too, so this search took me weeks. I'd say the hobby is not paying for itself with the circulated searches. But the RPMs and the toned examples make the search worthwhile. Because when I find RPMs in OBWs, they come in bunches - and who wants to own 20 of the same RPM? And the toning in OBWs, for clad coinage at least, hasn't been as satisfying as what I find in circulation.

And finally - great journal entries lately. Coin collecting is a hobby and not an investment - like most of us, though, I hope someone's still collecting years and decades from now to help me unload my less desireable pieces! If collecting is not an investment, we shouldn't be worried about tax policy. Although sales taxes and tariffs on bullion sound like nervous governments trying to dampen demand amidst possible hyperinflation scenarios ... As for the Mint not coining new bullion pieces, I think they're waiting to buy bullion cheaper so they can sell to us when prices are higher. They're just behind on the timing, and the miners' shutdowns in early 2009 didn't help ...