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At least when it's a really, really old "half dime" - one that was minted in the late 1700s.
In fact, the Sunnyvale-based Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation shelled out $1.5 million for the coveted coin.
The 215-year-old half dime, known in George Washington's time as a half disme (pronounced DEEM in that founding-of-the-country English spoken at the time of its circulation), is considered to be in near perfect condition, the foundation's director Martin Logies said.
"I hope I look that good at 215," said the coin's seller, Steven L. Contursi, owner of Rare Coin Wholesalers in Dana Point.
The foundation researches the history of coins and the methods used to make them. It also occasionally displays its collection so people can see the history the group writes about.
Its newest coin is more than a combination of silver and cooper. It's true Americana. History in a one-23rd of an ounce package, smaller than the modern dime.
The 1792 half dime was the first coin struck by the U.S. Mint. In fact, notes Logies, it was struck before there was a mint.
After then-President Washington approved the idea of a mint, the first United States Mint Director, David Rittenhouse, took the equipment for creating coins to the basement of a saw-maker's shop while the mint was being built.
It was there that the foundation's new purchase was minted, along with the approximately 1,500 other half dismes produced in the first run. Rittenhouse delivered the first batch of coins to Thomas Jefferson, who dropped them off at the bank.
Now that tiny piece of metal has sold for the equivalent of $34 million an ounce, Contursi said.
"I can't think of any other piece of silver worth that much," he said.
Contact Leslie Griffy at lgriffy@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5945.