“ the melt value of a U.S. $20 gold piece as bullion is approximately $3,255.04, assuming no additional numismatic or collectible value” - Grok
The gold coin used to be directly tradable to paper cash back and forth. Now it’s worth $3,255.
If you once traded the coin for the paper and held it, where did the other $3,235 go?
Silver is $38 an ounce. The old silver dollars were 90% silver.