Gold mining in the old west....

I recently met Mary, who had a very interesting story.  Her mother started and owned the general store in Breckenridge, Colorado during the gold rush.  Her mother saved every silver coin that came through er store, as well as other types of coins.  Talk about a shrewed person...How could she have know that her silver was going to be worth so much.  Mary and her brother recieved the boxes upon her death and were very happy with what they were able to sell it for.  It's fun to think of the pioneers and miners that would have come through her store.  Rugged individualists for sure!  Mary's boxes were loaded with silver dollars, quaters, and dimes.  What history....