what coins are made of silver and gold

[StAndres]

Ah, a fantastic question for anyone looking to add a little sparkle to their portfolio or just fantasizing about a dragon's hoard. If you're hunting for coins made of the good stuff, you've come to the right place. The provided context hints that the U.S. Mint is a key player in the precious metals game and that there's a whole world of historic American gold and silver coins out there.

For the gold bugs, the most famous modern examples are bullion coins made specifically for investors and collectors. Think of the American Gold Eagle, the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and the South African Krugerrand. These aren't the coins you'd find in your sofa cushions; they are pure, or near-pure, gold pieces designed to be a store of value. Historically, many countries used gold for their circulation currency, like the classic American Double Eagle coins from before 1933.

On the silver side of the coin, you have modern bullion favorites like the American Silver Eagle. But the truly interesting part is diving into history. For example, in the United States, all dimes, quarters, and half-dollars minted before 1965 were made of 90% silver. That means that old change jar you inherited could be a miniature treasure chest. So, while you won't find much gold or silver in your everyday pocket change today, the numismatic world is brimming with these shiny, valuable relics.