There are a few reasons that make 1972-dollar coins rare. Silver coins have been a part of human currency for thousands of years. Unlike gold or copper, mined from deep within the Earth, silver was often found on the surface of hillsides or at shallow depths in mineshaft excavations.Īs a result, it was easier to mine than other metals like gold or copper, making it more accessible to people all over Europe and Asia (where it continued to be famous well into the 20th century). Its prominence in jewelry, cutlery, and other valuables over many centuries made it clear that something so beautiful must also be important-and worth money. Silver’s value has fluctuated over time but has always been precious.
The Greek island was known for its massive silver deposits and quickly became the standard-bearer for precious metal coinage throughout the region. Some historians date the use of silver in coinage as far back as 600 B.C., when King Croesus first minted small amounts of silver into coins to be used by his people and others in the trade.
