These numismatic items represent a specific grade and type of U.S. coinage. The term denotes coins struck from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, composed of 90% silver, and preserved in pristine condition as originally minted. Their surfaces exhibit a bright, lustrous sheen, untouched by wear and tear from circulation. These coins were immediately stored away after minting, and this example is the key characteristic.
Their value extends beyond the intrinsic silver content, embodying a tangible connection to a transformative period in American history and industrial innovation, increasing popularity of coin collecting, and are considered among the most popular and widely collected coins in U.S. history. Possessing a specimen offers collectors a tangible piece of this heritage, while investment opportunities also exist due to rarity and precious metal value.