I have 5 tons of coal in the basement right now, and am expecting another 5 tons sometime next week.
How much does 10 tons of coal cost normally?
Depends on the type of coal and where you live.
Around here, I can get bituminous and anthracite coal.
Bituminous is mined locally. It is cheaper, but it's smoky and makes a lot of ash: $100/ton (Nov. 2009 prices)
Anthracite is mined in Pennsylvania and imported in 50# sacks. It makes very little smoke or ash, but it is like trying to light a rock: $269/ton (Nov. 2009 prices).
Depending on the price of gas, delivery runs about $50-$75 per truckload. The truck can hold about 5 tons. So, 10 tons would have cost about $1100 last Fall, if I had paid full price. For bituminous.
I still have almost a ton left, so we should be good for the rest of the cold season. I was getting a little nervous in February, but the weather finally broke this week. Phew! I won't need to ration heat after all!
OK, that was probably more than anyone really wanted to know about coal. Sorry.