How To Buy Silver

How To Buy Silver.

Silver Buying Made Easy.

Want to buy silver but confused on how to buy silver and what silver to buy? The Smaulgld silver buying guide helps find the best places for buying silver.

Silver Buying Guide.

Welcome to our online silver buying guide, where you can learn how to buy silver. The guide contains silver buying tips and shows how to buy physical silver online and how to buy paper silver online. Our silver buying guide also shows you where to buy silver bullion.

How to American Silver Eagle coinsSilver round Buying TipsCanadian Silver Maple Leaf coin Buying Guide

Silver Buying Tips

What Type of Silver Should I Buy?

There are a wide variety of choices when buying silver.

These choices can be divided into physical silver and paper silver.

Physical silver can take the form of silver bullion in the form of silver coins issued by sovereign governments, junk silver, silver rounds, silver bars, hand poured silver, numismatic silver and even silver bullets!

Paper silver can take the form of silver certificates, pooled silver accounts, silver ETF’s, silver future contracts and silver mining shares.

Why Should I Buy Silver?

Silver is a precious metal that is priced closer to base metals like copper and nickel than its precious metal cousins like gold, platinum and palladium. According to the Silver Institute, silver demand hit a record in 2013 . The demand was driven by a 76% year over year increase in silver coins and bars. Since silver is also widely used in the growing electronics and solar energy industry many believe that the demand for silver will remain strong.

Silver is also considered to be an inflation hedge against the Federal Reserve’s multi-year multi-trillion dollar printing program called quantitative easing and its zero interest rate policy.

Smaulgld LLC has agreements* with the Royal Mint (UK), the Royal Canadian Mint, JM Bullion, Golden Eagle Coins, Goldbroker.com and Bullion Vault some of the best online precious metals dealers for buying silver. You can compare silver prices by clicking on the banners or links on this site.

Buying Physical Silver

Silver Coins Issued By Sovereign Government Mints

Many governments mints produce silver coins for sale to collectors and investors. Here are some of them:

Austrian Silver Coins

Austrian Silver Philharmonic Coin

Description: Obverse: depiction of the immense pipe organ in the Musikverein, a concert hall that is home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the German words “REPUBLIK OSTERREICH” (“Austrian Republic”) and “1UNZE FEINSILBER” (“1 ounce pure silver.”)
Reverse: depiction of an array of musical instruments including a harp, violin, cello, flute, bassoon, and French horn and the German words “WIENER PHILHARMONIKER” (“Vienna Philharmonic”) and “SILBER” (“Silver”)

Composition/Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.103 grams)/.999 fine silver
Face Value: 1.50 Euro
Edge: Smooth
Designer: Thomas Pesendorfer
Mint Location: Vienna, Austria (no mint mark)
Years Minted: 2008-present

The Austrian Silver Philharmonic coin was introduced by the Austrian Mint in 2008. The Austrian Mint is a public limited company located in Vienna, Austria and is a subsidiary of the National Bank of Austria. The Austrian Mint’s original primary purpose, prior to the introduction of the Euro in 2002, was to produce shillings for circulation in Austria.

The Austrian Silver Philharmonic is the largest selling silver bullion coin in Europe and Japan and has sold over 80 million from 2008-2015.

austrian mint silver sales 2008 - 2015 with flag

Austrian silver philharmonic coins have been a best seller in Europe since their first year of mintage in 2008.

The Austrian Silver Philharmonic coin tends to sell at lower premiums than the U.S. Silver Eagle or Silver Canadian Maple Leaf coins.

Sales of Austrian Philharmonic Silver coins climbed 65 percent to 14.5 million ounces in 2013.

The Austrian Mint also produces a one ounce gold Philharmonic coin in the same design as the Silver Philharmonic.

How to Buy Silver Austrian Philharmonic Coins:

Silver Buying Tip: Compare Prices and Shipping Costs of Austrian Silver Philharmonic Coins

Compare Austrian Silver Philharmonic coins for sale at these websites:

Golden Eagle Coins
SD BULLION
Money Metals Exchange

The Lowest Cost. Period.

Canadian Silver Coins

Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coin

Description: Obverse: Depiction of Queen Elizabeth II of England
Reverse: “CANADA” “Fine Silver 1 oz Argent Pur” picture of a Maple Leaf

Composition/Weight: 1 ounce/.9999 fine silver; serrated edge
Face value: $5
Designer: Susanna Blunt
Mint Location: Ottawa, Canada
Years Minted: 1988-present

The Lowest Cost. Period.

The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) produces all of the coins for circulation in Canada. The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf was introduced by the RCM in 1988 for collectors.

Through 2014, the RCM has sold over 155 million Canadian Silver Maple leaf coins since 1988 when it was first issued.Sales of Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins set a record in 2014 with 29,200,000 sold an increase of 1,000,000 from 2013’s record sales.

canadian mint silver sales 2005-2015

Sales of Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins set a record in 2015 for the third year in a row.

For an update on sales of Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins in 2014 click here.

The RCM also produces special issues of the Silver Maple Leaf coin from time to time. Past special issues include Olympic, Anniversary, Wildlife, Chinese Zodiac, Birds of Prey and Canadian Artic coins. These coins sell for premiums above the standard issue Silver Maple Leaf coins.

Browse the Canadian Silver Wildlife Series

Silver Canadian Maple Leaf coins tend to sell at prices higher than the Austrian Silver Philharmonic coins but lower than the American Silver Eagle coins.

The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is legal tender in Canada but its face value ($5) is far less than the value of its silver content.

Silver Buying Tip:

Face value on silver coins may matter as discussed in this article comparing the American silver eagle coin with the Canadian silver bald eagle coin.

The RCM also produces Gold Maple Leaf Coins in various sizes.

How to Buy Silver Canadian Maple Leaf Coins:

Silver Buying Tip: Compare Prices and Shipping Costs of Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins

Compare Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins for sale:

Golden Eagle Coin
SD BULLION
Money Metals Exchange

Chinese Silver Coins

Chinese Silver Panda Coins

Description: Obverse: Depiction of the Temple of Heaven and “中华人民共和国” (People’s Republic of China)
Reverse: Portrait of a Panda
Composition: .999 fine silver
Years Minted: 1983-present

The official mint of the People’s Republic of China has been producing Silver Panda coins since 1983. The Chinese Silver Panda coins are denominated in 3 (¼ Troy ounce) 5 (½ Troy ounce), 10 (1 Troy ounce), 50 (5 Troy ounces), 100 (12 Troy ounces) and 300 (1 Kilogram) Yuan. The depiction of the Panda on the coins changes every year.

Starting in 2016, the Chinese Silver Panda coin will no longer be minted in ounces. Instead, what was formerly the one ounce coins will be denominated in grams and will weigh 30 grams, or about ten percent smaller than an ounce.

Approximately 40 million one ounce Chinese Silver Panda coins have been sold from 1983-2014. Most of those 40 million coins have been sold in the past few years as China has ramped up its annual production of one ounce Chinese Silver Pandas from 600,000 annually to 8,000,000 a year.

Chart showing Chinese silver panda coin sales from 2001 to 2014

Chinese Silver Panda coins have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Chinese Silver Pandas tend to sell at the highest premiums of all major government minted silver coins.

The official mint of the People’s Republic of China also produces Gold Panda coins in various denominations.

How to Buy Silver Chinese Panda Coins:


Click Here:

Silver Buying Tip: Compare Pricing and Shipping of Chinese Silver Panda Coins

Compare Chinese Silver Pandas at these websites:

Golden Eagle Coins
SD BULLION

United States Silver Coins

American Silver Eagle

Description:Obverse: Depiction of a walking lady liberty, the same design that first appeared on U.S. silver half dollars from 1916-1947, date and the words “LIBERTY” “IN GOD WE TRUST”
Reverse:depiction of a heraldic eagle with the words “1 oz. FINE SILVER – ONE DOLLAR” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

Composition/Weight: 1 oz. pure silver (.9993 silver .0007 copper) reeded edge
Designers: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse) John Mercanti (reverse)
Face Value: $1
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, San Francisco, California and West Point, New York
Composition: .999 silver
Years Minted: 1986 – present

The Lowest Cost. Period.

The American Silver Eagle coin is produced by the United States Mint and is the largest selling silver coin issued by any government mint. The United State Mint produces all the coins for circulation in the United States from its Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco operations.

The U.S. Mint operates a mint in West Point, New York solely for the purpose of producing American Silver and Gold Eagle and American Buffalo gold coins.

The United States Mint once also operated mints in Carson City, Nevada (1870-1893) and New Orleans, Louisiana (1838 to 1861 and from 1879 to 1909).

In 2013 the U.S. Mint sold a record 42.675 million American Silver Eagle coins and has sold well over 350 million from 1986 through 2013. Sales of American Silver Eagles topped the 2013 record in 2014 selling over 44 million coins. American Silver Eagle sales of 47 million set a record again in 2015.

American silver eagle sales 1986 - 2016 final

Sales of American Silver Eagles set a record of 47 million in 2015.


Source: U.S. Mint

The American Silver Eagle coin commands among the top premiums of any government minted silver coin.

The United States Mint also produces American Gold Eagle and gold American Buffalo coins for sale.

How to Buy American Silver Eagle Coins:

Silver Buying Tip: Compare Prices and Shipping Costs of American Silver Eagle Coins

Golden Eagle Coins
SD BULLION
Money Metals Exchange

America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Silver Coin Series

The America the Beautiful five ounce silver bullion coins are part of a series launched by the U.S. Mint in 2010 and are scheduled to be produced through 2021.

Description: series of five ounce quarter dollars with depictions of scenes of natural or historic significance on the reverse of the coins.
Obverse: depiction of the front of a United States Washington Quarter
Reverse:: Various America the Beautiful scenes
Composition/Weight: 3 inches in diameter, five ounces
Face value:$.25 (quarter dollar)
Designer: John Flannagan (obverse) various designers selected by the U.S. Treasury (reverse)
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Composition: .999 silver marked on the edge of the coin
Years Minted:2010-2021 (scheduled)

For more information on the America The Beautiful Coin series click here.

Pre 1965 90% Silver or “Junk Silver”

Prior to 1965 the United States minted dimes, quarters and half dollars for every day use that were 90% silver. These coins are valued mainly for their silver content rather than for their numismatic value (although there are many dates and mint marks among these coins that trade for significant premiums over their silver content).

As of this writing in mid 2014, according to Coinflation the silver content value of a dime is approximately $1.50, a quarter $3.77 and a half dollar $7.54.

The decision to remove silver from the United States’ coinage was made under President Lyndon Johnson who warned those who might consider hoarding the silver coins that there would be no profit in doing and that  “Treasury has a lot of silver on hand, and it can be, and it will be used to keep the price of silver in line with its value in our present silver coin. There will be no profit in holding them out of circulation for the value of their silver content.”

The U.S. Treasury’s silver is all gone and there has been a very tidy profit for those that held onto their pre 1965 dimes, quarters and half dollars.

Silver Dimes

Composition/Weight: .900 silver/.100 copper (.07234 oz. pure silver)/2.50 grams
Face Value:$.10

Barber or Liberty Head Dime
Description:Obverse:
Designer: Charles E. Barber
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1892-1916

photo of a Barber Dime designed by Charles E. Barber

The design of the Barber Dime also appeared on the quarters and half dollars from 1892-1916

The Barber dime was designed by Charles E. Barber who hit the trifecta as his design was used for the dime, quarter and half dollar! While Barber dimes are valued for their silver content, they command a higher premium than Mercury and Roosevelt dimes because they are older and were minted in lower quantities.

The largest mintage of Barber dimes was just 22 million in 1907 compared to 231 million Mercury dimes minted in 1944 and over 2 billion Roosevelt dimes minted in 1964.

Search Barber Dimes by year.

Compare Barber Dime pricing and shipping (average circulated -$5 face value roll)
Compare Barber Dime pricing and shipping (good or better condition -$5 face value roll)

Mercury or Winged Liberty Head Dime
Description: Obverse:
Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1916-1945

Mercury dime front and back

Mercury dimes were minted from 1916-1945.

The Mercury dime was designed by Adolph A. Weinman whose depiction of Lady Liberty walking appears on the Liberty Walking Half Dollar and the American Silver Eagle.

The Mercury dime is popular among collectors for its beauty and since they were minted in relatively large amounts they are accessible at affordable prices in almost all dates and mint marks.

The largest mintage of Mercury Dimes was in 1944 when approximately 340 million were minted at the U.S. Mints in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.


Search Mercury Dimes by year
.

Mercury Dimes 1916-1929 $5 face value roll

Roosevelt Dime
Description: Obverse:
Designer: John R. Sinnock Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1946-1964

obverse and reverse of Roosevelt dime

Roosevelt silver dimes are dated 1946-1964.

The Roosevelt dime follows the relatively new practice in U.S. coinage of placing former presidents on the coins. For the entire history of the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, coins featured images of mythical individuals symbolizing liberty.

Abraham Lincoln was the first President to appear on a U.S. coin in 1909 when he began to grace the front of the penny. Since Lincoln, George Washington (the quarter in 1932) Thomas Jefferson (the nickel in 1938),  Franklin D. Roosevelt (the dime in 1946) John F. Kennedy (the half dollar in 1964) and Dwight D. Eisenhower (the dollar coin in 1971) have all appeared on U.S. coins.

Pre 1965 Roosevelt silver dimes are perfect of barter as they as instantly recognizable with the same design as the dimes that are in circulation today.

Roosevelt dimes have little numismatic value other than those that are in near perfect or proof condition.

Search uncirculated, certified and proof Roosevelt Silver Dimes.

Silver dimes are usually purchased in $1 increments or 10 dimes. A roll of dimes has a face value of $5 and contains 50 dimes.

Compare Junk Silver Dime pricing and shipping ($200 face value)

Silver Quarters

Composition/Weight: .900 silver/.100 copper (.18084 oz. pure silver)/6.25 grams
Face Value: $.25

Barber or Liberty Head Quarter
Description: Obverse:
Designer: Charles E. Barber
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1892-1916

The Barber Quarter shares the same design as the Barber Dime and like the dime was minted in lesser quantities than the Liberty Standing and Washington quarters.

The largest mintage of Barber Quarters was 12.6 million in 1899.

Search Barber Quarters by date

Compare Barber Quarter roll prices

Liberty Standing Quarter
Description: Obverse:
Designer: Herman A. MacNeil
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco
Years Minted:1916-1930

standing liberty quarter obverse and reverse

Standing Liberty Quarters were minted from 1916-1930.

The Liberty Standing Quarter (pictured below) was minted for only fifteen years. Many Liberty Quarters may have the dates completely obliterated due to a design flaw. From 1916-1924, the Liberty Quarter was minted with the date appearing on a raised pedestal. It became apparent after less than a decade of use that the dates on many of the coins were already showing signs of serious wear.

In 1925, the U.S. mint altered the Liberty Quarter to eliminate the raised pedestal and to place the date recessed in the same position to protect it from wear.

Liberty Standing Quarters with dates will sell for a premium over those without dates.

Certified Liberty Standing Quarters sell for extreme premiums. You can search certified Liberty Standing Quarters here.

The largest mintage of Liberty Standing Quarters was 27.8 million in 1920.

Washington Quarter
Description: Obverse:
Designer: John Flanagan
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1932-1964

Pre 1965 Washington quarters are instantly recognizable as they share the same design as the quarters currently in circulation. A silver quarter in 1964 would buy a gallon of gas. Today that same silver quarter is worth about the price of a gallon of gas, a testament to the value preservation of silver.

Silver quarters are usually purchased in $1 increments or four quarters. A roll of quarters has a face value of $10 and contains 40 quarters.

Search uncirculated, certified and proof Washington Silver Quarters

Compare Silver Quarter pricing and shipping ($200 face value)

Silver Half Dollars

Composition/Weight: .900 silver/.100 copper (.36169 oz. pure silver)/12.50 grams
Face Value: $.50

Barber Half Dollar
Description: Obverse:
Designer: Charles E. Barber
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1892-1915

The Barber Half Dollar shares the same design as the Barber Dime and Barber Quarter.

Search Barber Half Dollars by Date

Liberty Walking Half Dollar
Description: Obverse:
Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1916-1947

obverse and reverse of a walking liberty half dollar

The obverse of the Liberty Half Dollar shares the same design as the American Silver Eagle one dollar coin.

Search Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars

Franklin Half Dollar
Description: Obverse:
Designer: John R. Sinnock Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1948-1963

obverse and reverse of a franklin half dollar

Franklin Half Dollars were minted from 1948-1963.

Kennedy Half Dollar
Description: Obverse:
Designers: Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro
Mint Locations: Philadelphia and Denver
Years Minted: 1964 (90% silver) 1965-1970 (40% silver)

Compare Junk Silver Pricing and Shipping ($10 face value – Mixed bag of silver dimes, quarters and half dollars)
Compare Junk Silver Pricing and Shipping ($100 face value – Mixed bag of silver dimes, quarters and half dollars)
Compare Junk Silver Pricing and Shipping ($500 face value – Mixed bag of silver dimes, quarters and half dollars)
Compare Junk Silver Pricing and Shipping ($1000 face value – Mixed bag of silver dimes, quarters and half dollars)
Compare Junk Silver Pricing and Shipping (All choices-silver dimes, quarters, half dollars and silver dollars )

Silver Dollars

The most common silver dollars are the Morgan and Peace dollars. These coins were minted from 1878-1935.

Composition/Weight: .900 silver/.100 copper (.77344 oz. pure silver)/26.73 grams
Face value: $1

Morgan Dollars
Description: Obverse: the date and Liberty Head with the words “E Pluribus Unum”
Reverse:Picture of an eagle clasping arrows and olive branch with the words “One Dollar” “In God We Trust” “United States of America”
Designer: George T. Morgan
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, Denver and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1878-1904 and 1921

The Morgan Silver Dollar began production at the United State Mint in 1878. In 1878 it was produced in Philadelphia, Carson City and San Francisco. Morgan Silver Dollars would also be produced in 1921 in New Orleans and Denver.

Morgan Silver Dollars contain a little over three quarters of an ounce of silver.

The Morgan Silver Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan who had been a pupil of William Wyon of the Royal Mint in London.

In 1918, Congress passed the Pittman Act, that provided for the destruction of over 270 million Morgan silver dollars which were no longer in production, to support the price of silver. The Morgan silver dollars were melted down and the silver bullion sold to England to alleviate its silver shortage. Under the Pittman Act, starting in 1921 through 1933, the U.S. would buy back 270 million ounce of silver from U.S. mining companies at a subsidized price of $1 an ounce in order to replace the Morgan Silver Dollars destroyed.

The production of the Morgan Silver Dollar recommenced for one year in 1921. Later that year, a new US silver dollar, the Peace Dollar was introduced and was minted from 1921-1928 and in 1934 and 1935.

Peace Dollars
Description: Obverse: the date and the words “Liberty” and “In God we Trust” with a crowned female head in the center. Reverse: The words “United States of America” “e pluribus unum” and “peace” and “one dollar with a perched bald eagle in the center.
Designer: Anthony de Francisci
Mint Locations: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco
Years Minted: 1921-1928/1934-35

Silver Buying Tip: Compare Pricing and Shipping of Morgan Silver Dollars

Compare pricing and shipping on a variety of Morgan Silver dollars here

Great Britain Silver Coins

The Royal Mint

The Royal Mint was established in 1968 and is located in Llantrisant, South Wales. The current Royal Mint facility carries on the mint’s 1,100 year history of producing coins and replaced the facilities operated at Tower Hill, London since 1810. The Royal Mint produces coins for more than 60 countries around the world.

Silver Britannia Coins

Description: Obverse: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II Reverse: Depiction of Britannia, the female personification of Great Britain
Face Values: five ounce, one ounce (£2), 1/2 oz. (£1), 1/4 oz., 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz.
Designers: Obverse: Ian Rank-Broadley/Reverse: Robert Hunt
Composition: .999 fine silver
Years Minted: 1997-present

The Royal Mint began producing the Silver Britannia coin series in 1997 at which time the silver content was 95.8%. Since 2013, the Silver Britannia has been produced in .999 form (99.9%). The Silver Britannia has increased in popularity in recent years selling 560,000 ounces worth of them during fiscal year 2012-13 and 2,125,000 during fiscal year 2013-2014.

The Royal Mint also produces a wide array of numismatic coins, gift sets and gold and silver bullion coins. Click on the banners to view the Royal Mint’s vast catalogue.

Silver Buying Tip: Compare Pricing Products and Shipping Costs of Royal Britannia Silver Coins

The Royal Mint

Mexican Silver Coins

Mexican libertad silver coins obverse

Left: Mexican Silver Libertad 1996-present obverse design;Right:1982-1995 obverse design. Click to buy from Golden Eagle Coin

Mexican libertad silver coins reverse

Left Mexican Silver Libertad 1996-present reverse design;Right:1982-1995 reverse design.

Mexican Silver Libertad Essentials

Description: Obverse: Depiction of a winged Victoria in front of Mexican volanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl with the words “1 Onza Plata Pura” (“one ounce pure silver”), the date and .999 indicating the fineness of the silver.
Reverse: Depiction of the Mexican National Seal with an eagle perched on a cactus, with a snake in its beak, with the words “Estados Unidos Mexicanos” (“United States of Mexico”).
Composition/Weight: 1 ounce/.999 fine silver; ridged edge (1996-present) smooth edge (1982-1995)
Face value: None- Mexican Libertads, unlike other government coins, do not show a monetary value.
Designer: Emilio del Moral. Sr. Moral’s design was originally used on the Mexican gold bullion coin the Centenario, first minted in 1921.
Mint: La Casa de Moneda de México
Mint Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Years Minted: 1982-present

La Casa de Moneda de México produces a variety of sizes of the silver Libertad coin. The Libertad is minted in 1/20, 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 5 troy ounce and 1 kilogram sizes. The most popular size is the one ounce coin.

Mexican Silver Libertad Mintages – 2004-2014

La Casa de Moneda de México has sold over 28 million one ounce Silver Libertad coins since 1982 and over 8 million from 2004-2014.

mexican silver libertads 2004 -2015

Mintages of Mexican Silver Libertad coins are relatively low compared to mintages of Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, American Silver Eagle, Austrian Silver Philharmonic and Chinese Silver Panda coins.

The Mexican Silver Libertad coins tend to sell at prices higher than most other government minted coins due to their low mintages.

Mexican Silver Libertad coins do NOT contain a face value and are identified only by size and weight.

The Silver Libertad coins are minted in various sizes available here.

Compare Pricing and Shipping on Mexican Silver Libertad Coins

Golden Eagle Coins
SD BULLION

Australian Silver Coins



The Perth Mint Australia

The Perth Mint founded in 1899 as a branch of the British Royal Mint, is unique among the various government mints in that it is also a silver and gold refiner and does not produce coins for general circulation in Australia. All of the coins produced by the Perth Mint, however, are considered legal tender in Australia. (with face values far below their precious metal content). Coins for general circulation in Australia are produced at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.

The Perth Mint also provides insured storage and safe keeping services for precious metals.

The Perth Mint produces perhaps the widest array of proof, numismatic, limited release and commemorative coins of any government mint. The most popular and widely recognized of these are the silver Koala and Kangaroo coins.

perth mint silver kangaroo coins

Buy Perth Mint Silver Kangaroo coins from JM Bullion

Compare Pricing and Shipping on Perth Mint Silver Kangaroo coins

Golden Eagle Coins
SD BULLION
Money Metals Exchange

The Perth Mint has a massive selection of silver coins with a constant pipeline of newly issued coins. Be prepared to spend some time browsing their impressive catalog.

How to Buy Silver Perth Mint Coins From Australia Directly From The Mint: Click Here:

The Perth Mint Australia

Silver Buying Tip: Compare Prices and Shipping Costs of Australian Silver Philharmonic Coins

Compare Australian Silver coin pricing and shipping from the Perth Mint here and here.

Silver Rounds by Private Mints

Another way of investing in silver is by purchasing silver rounds by private mints. These rounds, not coins which denote legal currency, are produced by a variety of mints in a wide range of sizes and weights. Silver rounds usually trade at discounts to the prices of government mint issued silver coins. Silver rounds can often be obtained at prices per ounce slightly above the spot price of silver.

Here are some silver rounds for sale:

Sunshine Minting

The Sunshine Silver One Ounce Round from Sunshine Minting.
Sunshine Minting Inc. is a private mint located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and was founded in 1979.

OPM

The OPM Silver One Ounce Round OPM is a precious metals refiner established in 1974

Other silver round producers include:

SilverTowne:

1 Ounce Buffalo Silver Round
1 Ounce SilverTowne Saint-Gauden Silver Round

Johnson Matthey
Englehard
NTR Metals

Silver bars are another popular way to acquire silver. Silver bars are also produced a variety of mints in a wide range of sizes and weights. Silver bars usually trade at discounts to the prices of government mint issued silver coins. Silver bars can often be obtained at prices per ounce slightly above the spot price of silver.

Here are some silver bar choices:

Sunshine Minting
The Sunshine Silver one ounce bar

Ohio Precious Metals
The OPM one ounce silver bar

Other silver bar producers include:
Pamp Suisee:

50 Gram Pamp Suisse Silver Bar
100 Gram Pamp Suisse Silver Bar

Johnson Matthey
Englehard
NTR Metals
Silvertowne

Silver Buying Tip:Larger silver bars have lower premiums

Compare silver bar weights, brands, prices and shipping here and here

Numismatic Silver Coins

Some collectors purchase silver coins with values far in excess of their silver content. These people are numismatists or collectors of coins. Numismatists pay specific attention to coins’ rarity and condition. Becoming a numismatist requires study and a sharp eye. For that reason coin collecting is not for everyone.

The market for rare coins is thinner than the market for silver bullion which trades as a commodity with a slight premium for certain types of coins, bars and rounds. As such, it’s easier to get burned on the purchase of numismatic coins than on the purchase of silver bullion. The exposure on silver bullion is limited to the fluctuations in the price of silver. With numismatic silver the premiums paid (especially if you overpay initially) may never be recouped on resale. Numismatics, however, can return superior returns on selected silver coins.

Some like to combine their interest in silver bullion with buying graded coins. For example, the U.S. Mint produces American Silver Eagles in proof and graded uncirculated condition. The Canadian Mint does the same for its Silver Maple Leaf coin series. These coins are issued in limited amounts and are graded by either NGC or PCGS. NGC or the Numismatic Guarantee Company was founded in 1987 and is an independent coin graders that is not involved in the commercial buying and selling of coins. PCGS or, the Professional Coin Grading Service is an authentication and grading service for rare coins founded in 1985. Both NGC and PCGS use the 70 point American Numismatic Association coin grading system originally devised by Dr. William H. Sheldon.

Coins graded by PCGS and NGC are sonically sealed in plastic holders designed to protect the encapsulated coin.

Premiums on prior mintage American Silver Eagles have appreciated in recent years and have compensated for the decline in the price of silver over the past few years.

Click here
to see some buying options for certified American Silver Eagle and Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins.

Others like to collect specific dates and mint marks in U.S. silver coins. As a general rule the better condition a coin is in, the higher premium it will command.

Many of the coins sold by the Perth and Canadian mints are limited editions and have numismatic value in addition to their silver content. You can also find numismatic silver coin offers from SDBullion and Golden Eagle.

Silver Bullets

Silver bullets are a unique offering that make a physical reality of the semi-mythical concept.

Silver bullets come in one, two, five (shot gun) ten, 25 and 100 ounce “calibers”. The premiums charged for silver bullets are reasonable, usually within the same range of privately minted rounds and bars.

Rare Silver Coins

Silver Proof Coins and Rounds

Uncirculated Silver Coins

Commemorative Silver Coins

Poured Silver coming soon!

Silver From Mining Companies coming soon
First Majestic
Great Panther
Silver IRAs Coming soon

Paper Silver

Exposure to the price of silver can be obtain without taking physical delivery of silver. Here are some paper silver options:

Silver ETFS

paper silver silver etf holdings from 2006-2014

Silver ETFs have grown as a popular method of purchasing silver.

SLV- Silver ETF
PSLV – physical silver trust
CEF – gold and silver trust
SIL – Silver miner ETF

Silver Futures

Pooled Silver Accounts

Kitco

Silver Certificates– Perth Mint

Silver Mining Shares

The following are not recommendations. The list is provided for information purposes only.
Endeavor Silver EXK
First Majestic AG
Great Panther Silver GPL
AXU
SVM
SSRI
PAAS

Considerations coming soon!
counterfeiting
storage and insurance
confiscation
taxes
manipulation
volatility

Should I buy gold or silver? See our gold buying guide

Top Silver Producing Nations
1. Mexico
2. China
3. Peru
4. Australia
5. Russia
6. Poland
7. Bolivia
8. Chile
9. United States
10. Argentina

Source: The Silver Institute

Smaulgld.com Resources

Gold Buying Guide

Silver Supply and Demand

Twelve Ways Silver is Different Than Gold

Gold and Silver Price Manipulation – Suspected

Silver and Gold Manipulation – Actual

India and Silver

Silver vs. The Dow

Silver vs. the Dollar

Silver vs. the Dow

The Gold Silver Ratio

Silver Hits Record Demand in 2013

550 Million Ounces of Silver Were Used in 1964 to mint Dimes, Quarters and Half Dollars

Mexico to Tax Gold and Silver Miners

Is a Gold and Silver Supply and Demand Price Adjustment Coming?

The Price of Silver in 1979

The Gold Silver Ratio vs. the Silver Gold Sales Ratio

Think the Fed Destroyed the Dollar?

China Hoards its Gold Production, Exports Some of its Silver

The West Sells Paper Gold, While the East Buys Physical Gold

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