Certain ten-cent pieces, produced primarily before 1965 in the United States, contain a significant quantity of the precious metal. These coins possess an intrinsic value beyond their face value due to their composition. A common example would be a Roosevelt dime minted in 1964, which is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
The presence of the metallic element elevates these specific coins from mere currency to a tangible asset. This characteristic provides a hedge against economic instability and inflation. Historically, these items represent a tangible link to a period when circulating coinage contained precious metals, offering collectors and investors a piece of American history.