Treasure Hunting: One Garage Sale at a Time

The sun is shining and summer is here. You know what that means…garage sale season is in full swing!

A weekend passtime for millions of Americans, the garage sale can actually trace its roots back to the early 1800s. Originally called rummage sales, they were typically held in shipyards where unclaimed goods were sold. By the 1950s and 60s, these sales had evolved into the garage sale we know and love today.

 

Whether you’re a crafter on the lookout for a good book, or simply looking to redecorate your home, garage sales have something for everyone – even numismatists! So, this National Garage Sale Day (held annually on the second Saturday of August) we have some tools for your collecting toolbelt that you can use the next time you’re ready to go treasure hunting.

Tips & Tricks

One of my favorite things to do is head out first thing Saturday morning and drive around looking for a garage sale or two. And here in New England, we’re pretty lucky to have plenty to choose from during the summer!

While it’s always nice to see what you come across, it’s never a bad idea to go out with an idea of what you need (or want.) Especially since garage sales can be a great place to try and fill in missing holes in your collection. But depending on the size of your collection, it can be hard to remember what you need. Don’t worry though, we have just the thing to help!

 

Have you heard about our virtual albums?

Completely free to use, these albums are the perfect in-your-pocket tool for when you’re out and about. Ranging from Lincoln Head cents, National Park quarters to Morgan dollars and more, you can keep your album updated with the coin’s grade, variety, where you bought it and everything in between. Since your collection is stored safely on your smartphone or computer, you never have to guess at what you have or miss out on what you need again.

So, what exactly do you need to do to use our virtual albums? Just sign into your online account (or create an account if you don’t have one already.) And from there it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Sometimes though you might not have access to the Internet while out garage sailing – especially in rural areas. That’s where our free Collectors Checklists come in handy. With lots of coin types to choose from, all you have to do is print the list(s) you need and voilà! You’re ready to go with your (coin) shopping list in hand.

Oh, and did I mention that these are completely free to use on our website?!

Tools of the (garage sale) trade

Of course, when you’re out treasure hunting, it’s worth investing in the proper equipment. Here’s a list of some of our go-to tools to help you this National Garage Sale Day:

• Magnifiers – Having a magnifier or two in your toolbelt is always a good idea! Small and compact, our magnifiers don’t take up much room which makes them easy to carry around especially for those hard to see dates and mint marks.

• Gloves – There’s always a chance while you’re garage sailing that the coins you find won’t be in a protective case. That’s where gloves come in handy! Always helpful to have for whatever you come across, you’ll want to bring a pair with you to examine your treasure.

• Coin Holders – Going hand in hand with gloves, 2” x 2” holders are a must have. Once you’ve found the missing piece in your collection, you can tuck it safely away from the elements until you get home where you can put it in your folder or album.

• Reference Books – Books like the Red Book: Guide Book of U.S. Coins are a great tool to keep on the go with you. They can give you an idea of the grade of the coin you’re looking at, what the composition of the coin you’re looking at is or… if you’re really lucky… whether the coin in front of you is a hard-to-find key date!

Sale-ebrate good finds

There’s no doubt about it…going garage sailing can be quite the treasure hunt. This National Garage Sale Day get out and see what you can find! Whether you finally locate the missing Morgan dollar in your collection, find the perfect coin for someone special, or begin a new collection altogether, it’s always exciting to see what you come across.

What has been your favorite garage sale find? Are you planning on celebrating National Garage Sale Day this year? Tell me in the comments below!

Happy treasure hunting!