The quantity of the precious metal contained within United States coinage historically referred to as “silver dollars” varies depending on the specific type and year of issue. Coins such as the Morgan and Peace dollars, predominantly minted from 1878 to 1935, are comprised of approximately 90% of the element with the atomic number 47, with the remaining 10% typically being copper.
The significance of the metallic composition directly influences the intrinsic value of these numismatic items. The presence of a substantial amount of silver means that the coins possess a bullion value tied to the fluctuating market price of the metal, in addition to any collector premium based on rarity, condition, and historical demand. Historically, these coins facilitated larger transactions and served as a trusted store of value due to their inherent metal content.