The mass of United States circulating coinage composed partially or entirely of silver is a key characteristic influencing its intrinsic value. For instance, pre-1965 examples of a particular denomination contained 90% silver; therefore, the total amount of precious metal present directly impacted its desirability to collectors and investors.
This physical attribute is important because it differentiates these coins from later issues struck with base metals. The presence of a significant quantity of silver imparts a melt value, which can exceed the face value, especially during periods of heightened silver prices. Historically, these coins served as reliable stores of wealth and facilitated commerce due to their inherent material worth.