If you are a roll hunter buying online, make sure the seller shows three sides of the roll. Both ends and a size shot.
This HiBid seller shows the side of the 1964-D Half Dollar roll, but not the two ends, which indicate whether the end coins are toned and the roll has been opened previously.
Here’s a lot that does feature three photos:
The first photo above indicates the roll has been opened. The second shows toning on the end coin. The third side photo seems to have bank roll text on it, not shown completely. Bank rolls fetch higher bids, especially unopened ones.
This side photo of a Morgan Dollar roll shows bank information.
Without those three necessary photos, bidders are taking a risk. The roll may be missing one or more coins or may have been tampered with.
The ends of the roll must be tucked in and tight, as in this photo:
The half-dollar roll below has been previously opened, as the untucked wrapper shows:
Keep in mind that unscrupulous but experienced sellers can tuck and untuck rolled coins using an Exacto knife. We will not show you how in this article.
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