Silver medal by Metallium, Inc. Photo used by permission.
Diameter 19 mm, 4.5 grams, 99.9% pure. $10 on 9/24/2006.
Silver (Latin argyrum) was known to the ancients, and coins have been made of it since earliest times. Silver bullion coins are still made by many countries including the United States. Around the mid 20th century, ever-increasing global inflation forced most countries to quit producing silver coins for circulation. Since the silver in the coins would be worth more than the face value of the coin itself, such coins would quickly be hoarded and melted down.
The Morgan dollar above is a perennial favorite with American collectors. Uncirculated examples are plentiful and affordable. Considering that they contain almost an ounce of silver and most are over 100 years old, they are a true bargain.
Silver medal by Metallium, Inc. Photo used by permission.
Diameter 19 mm, 4.5 grams, 99.9% pure. $10 on 9/24/2006.