American Hartford Gold is a privately held gold dealer founded in 2015 and based in Los Angeles, CA.
Products:
The company sells various silver coins, including American Eagles, South African Krugerrands, Canadian Maples Leafs, and Austrian Philharmonics.
Shipping:
All orders include free shipping, insurance, and tracking.
Payment Options:
The company accepts wire transfers and checks.
Other Services:
American Hartford Gold offers a price-match guarantee and a buyback program. Investors can also get up to $2,500 in free silver on qualifying purchases.
Augusta Precious Metals is a family-owned business in Tarzana, CA, that has been in operation for over 50 years.
Products:
The company offers common and premium silver coins from American, Austrian, South African, Australian, and Canadian mints. Some popular silver coins for sale include the half-ounce Canadian Eagle, Morgan Dollar, and one-ounce Austrian Philharmonic.
Shipping:
The company offers free insured shipping.
Payment Options:
The company accepts wire transfers for any amount and personal checks for up to $50,000.
Other Services:
All clients meet with a Harvard-educated economist. All purchases and products come with price protection. Also, the company offers a 100% money-back guarantee within seven days of purchase for new customers who buy premium precious metals.
Birch Gold Group is a precious metal dealer founded in 2003 and based in Burbank, CA.
Products:
The company offers silver assets – some options include America the Beautiful, American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Florin, and Morgan Dollar coins.
Shipping:
The company offers free shipping for cash purchases over $10,000.
Payment Options:
The company accepts wire transfers.
Other Services:
Birch Gold Group offers a 20-page "Investment Kit" that explains how to get started in precious metal investing.
Goldco is a privately held precious metal dealer that was founded in 2006 and is based in Woodland Hills, CA.
Products:
Some investment options include silver American Eagle, Australian Spotted Eagle Ray, and Australian Striped Marlin coins.
Shipping:
The company does not charge for shipping.
Payment Options:
Goldco accepts checks, cashier’s checks, and wire transfers.
Other Services:
Goldco offers financial articles and resources to educate investors about precious metals and IRAs. Their website provides free educational resources in blogs, eBooks, videos, and a live price tracker. Also, fees are waived for the first year, and new investors receive 10% back in silver coins. Finally, the yearly storage cost is reimbursed in like-value silver when investors make a $25,000 minimum purchase.
Goldline is a precious metal dealer that was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
Products:
Goldline offers a large selection of silver products to invest in. Some options include Canadian Maple Leaf, American Eagle, Australian, and British coins.
Shipping:
Orders are shipped for free.
Payment Options:
Goldline accepts wire transfers.
Other Services:
Goldline offers a seven-day price guarantee program for purchases over $10,000. Also, the company provides educational resources to new investors who want to learn about the precious metals industry and how to get started with investing.
Lear Capital was established in 1997 and is located in Los Angeles, CA.
Products:
Some silver investment options through Lear Capital include American Eagle, Morgan Dollar, Canadian Maple Leaf, half dollar, and exclusive coins.
Shipping:
The shipping prices vary based on the products, weight, and shipping location.
Payment Options:
The company accepts wire transfers and checks.
Other Services:
Lear Capital offers a library of educational resources regarding precious metal investing. The company also has no-fee buyback and price-match programs. Also, the yearly storage cost is reimbursed in like-value silver when making a minimum purchase, and investors receive more like-value silver for every additional $25,000 investment.
Noble Gold is a precious metal brokerage firm in Pasadena, CA, established in 2017.
Products:
Noble Gold offers IRS-approved silver coins to invest in. Some options include America the Beautiful, American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Kangaroo, and Austrian Philharmonic coins.
Shipping:
The shipping prices vary based on the products, weight, and shipping location.
Payment Options:
Noble Gold Investments accepts wire transfers.
Other Services:
The company offers a buyback program and a free investment kit to educate investors on physical assets. Noble Gold Investments also offers Survival Packs, which are pre-selected precious metal bundles. The company’s experts select a blend of precious metals for each Survival Pack tier. Finally, the company offers segregated storage.
Oxford Gold Group is a precious metal company based in Los Angeles, CA, that was founded in 2017.
Products:
Some silver assets offered by the company include Canadian Maple Leaf, Polar Bear, and Snow Falcon coins. Oxford Gold Group also offers silver North American Bald Eagle, Austrian Philharmonic, Kennedy Half Dollar, and America the Beautiful coins.
Shipping:
Oxford Gold Group offers free shipping.
Payment Options:
The company accepts wire transfers.
Other Services:
The company offers a comprehensive investment guide and additional informative videos and articles on how to invest in physical assets. Also, Oxford Gold Group offers buyback and no-fee liquidation programs.
Exclusive offerings like the Formula 1 Silver Schumacher
IRA-eligible items
Personalized service
Overview:
Rosland Capital is a Los Angeles-based firm that was founded in 2008.
Products:
Rosland Capital offers a wide selection of silver investment options. Some options include Britannia, Morgan Dollar, American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Formula 1, and British Museum coins.
Shipping:
The shipping prices vary based on the products, weight, and shipping location.
Payment Options:
The company accepts checks and wire transfers.
Other Services:
Investors receive $1,000 in free gold if they order a minimum of $20,000.
A silver coin is a piece of currency made primarily or entirely of silver. Historically used in everyday transactions, today’s silver coins are often rare collectibles or investment pieces due to their scarcity and the elimination of silver from regular currency. They hold value not just monetarily, but also as items of historical and aesthetic significance, appealing to investors, collectors, and those seeking a hedge against inflation.
Silver Coin History
Late 19th Century
In the late 1800s, silver became a key player in the global economy, especially following the discovery of massive silver deposits in the Americas. Countries like the United States and Mexico became major producers, influencing both local and international markets. This era saw a surge in silver mining and a consequent boom in its economic value.
World War I and the Interwar Period
The First World War marked a turning point for silver. Governments amassed large quantities to finance the war effort, causing significant fluctuations in its value. In the interwar period, countries faced the challenge of returning to a peacetime economy, and silver played a role in stabilizing currencies.
The Great Depression
During the Great Depression, silver, like gold, was seen as a safe haven. Many countries grappling with economic instability turned to silver to back their currencies. Its value saw relative stability compared to the tumultuous stock markets.
Post-World War II Economic Boom
The post-war era witnessed a technological and industrial boom, which increased the demand for silver in various industries, from photography to electronics. This industrial demand diversified the value of silver beyond just a monetary asset.
Late 20th Century to Early 2000s
In the late 20th century, the advent of digital technology gradually reduced the demand for silver in photography, a major industry consumer. However, new uses in electronics, solar panels, and other technologies offset this decline. The price of silver experienced volatility, reflecting both its industrial demand and investment appeal.
2008 Global Financial Crisis
Similar to gold, silver became a popular investment during the 2008 financial crisis. It provided a buffer against the economic downturn, although its industrial uses meant it was more affected by the global economic slowdown than gold. Post-crisis, silver prices saw a significant upturn as economies stabilized and industrial demand grew.
2020 and Beyond
As of 2020, silver continues to climb in value. It benefits from its status as a precious metal and its wide range of industrial applications. The price per ounce has seen notable increases, reflecting global economic trends, technological advancements, and market speculations. The versatility of silver in both the financial and industrial sectors suggests a continued upward trajectory in its value and importance.
Types of Silver Coin
Silver American Eagles
The Silver Eagle is the world’s only silver bullion coin whose weight, content, and purity are guaranteed by the United States government. New, uncirculated Eagles often sell for $1.80 to $2.50 more than spot.
Silver Canadian Maple Leaf
Like the Silver American Eagle, the Silver Canadian Maple Leaf is a government-issued, legal-tender currency. Although it lacks the status of the Eagle in the United States, the Silver Maple Leaf is one of the most identifiable silver coins in the world and one of the most visually pleasing. At .9999 fine silver, they’re also the finest government-issued silver pieces, as most others are just .999.
APMEX One-ounce Fine Silver Rounds
Private minters’ non-legal tender issues are technically not “coins” at all and must be referred to as “rounds” for legal reasons. But silver is silver, regardless of whether it’s issued by the U.S. government or a for-profit company like APMEX. AMPEX’s rounds have gained popularity because they are among the most well-recognized and acknowledged private issues.
Morgan Silver Dollars
Morgan Silver Dollars were legal tender coins that were made by the United States government from 1878 through 1904 and then again for one year in 1921. They’re 0.86-ounce coins made up of 90% silver and 10% copper, with a silver content of 0.77344 troy ounces – nearly identical to the silver composition of the original Spanish dollars on which the U.S. currency was founded.
Austrian Silver Philharmonics
The Austrian Silver Philharmonic is a rare coin that rivals the elegance of the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf. With a legal tender value of €1.5, it is also the only silver coin on our list that is denominated in euros. The Austrian Philharmonic Orchestra, a national treasure of Austria, is shown on one side of the coin, while the Golden Hall in Vienna, where the orchestra’s annual New Year’s Day performance takes place, is depicted on the other.
Mexican Silver Libertad
The United States and Canada are not the only countries to produce one-ounce silver bullion coins. Neighbors south of the U.S. make them as well. Mexican Silver Libertads are sought after by collectors despite their higher $2 premium.
Why Invest in Silver Coins?
There are advantages to investing in silver coins. One of the top reasons that investors choose to invest in this product is that it is more affordable than metals like gold, platinum, and palladium.
Silver coins cannot be created out of thin air. Tangible precious metals are limited in quantity and quality. If the investor decides to sell their coins, the amount they get is determined by the silver’s worth. This is in contrast to fiat money and equities, which are vulnerable to market fluctuations.
Another benefit of investing in precious metals is that it is confidential and private. Silver bars and coins may be kept in the investor’s house and accessed at any time.
Investors typically purchase silver as a long-term hold because the price steadily rises as demand increases and supply decreases. In times of political and economic instability, gold and silver tend to outperform fiat money.
Silver bullion is a limited physical asset, and because of its intrinsic and genuine worth, physical silver is unlikely to entirely sink, despite market fluctuations like other commodities.
Compared to gold, silver is less expensive to acquire and hence more accessible. Silver tends to move in lockstep with gold, rising in price as gold rises.
Pros and Cons of Buying Silver Coins
Investing in silver has advantages and disadvantages. Some investors may benefit from diversifying their assets by including physical silver, while others may not. Therefore, it is important to consider all the factors involved with precious metal investing before beginning.
Pros
Inflation Hedge
The purchasing power of the dollar is likely to decline with time. In such situations, precious metals like silver help investors protect against inflation.
Portfolio Diversification
Investing in silver is a great way to diversify your portfolio and maintain its value in times of economic depression or stock market crash. Silver is inversely correlated with other assets, meaning prices may increase when the cost of other assets decreases.
Stock Market Alternative
Silver prices tend to rise in response to the fall in stock and bond prices. In this case, investing in silver does wonders to safeguard your assets.
Cons
No Passive Income
Unlike stocks and bonds, investing in silver doesn’t earn passive income through dividends.
High Premium
Many silver coin sellers charge a premium above the spot price. This increases the cost of silver coins above the actual market price. Moreover, premiums may increase when demand is high.
Secure Storage Fees
It is necessary to store your coins in a secure storage vault to prevent theft or loss. You may keep your silver in your safe box at home for free of charge. Others may prefer storing their precious metals at a reputable depository. In either case, you will be paying fees for high-quality safe or depository storage.
Capital Gains Tax
Precious metals are subject to capital gain tax by the IRS. When you want to sell your silver, any profit you have made is taxable.
Silver Coin Buying FAQ
Where to Buy Silver Coins Near Me?
To purchase silver coins, search the inventory of local merchants and internet sellers like APMEX and JM Bullion. You may buy solid silver bars rather than simply coins from more specialist vendors or silver coin traders. Before performing any transaction, check the vendor’s reputation on websites such as the Better Business Bureau.
How to Buy Silver Coins?
Determine what type of silver coins you want to buy: bullion coins, numismatic coins, or commemorative coins. Then, find reputable silver coin dealers, check the spot price of silver, determine the premium, consider the shipping and handling fees, and make a purchase. When making your purchase, make sure you get a detailed receipt and have the coins delivered to a secure location. It’s also a good idea to have the coins appraised by a professional to ensure their authenticity and value.
What is the Best One-Ounce Silver Coin to Buy?
The American Silver Eagle is the United States Mint’s official investment-grade silver bullion coin, making it one of the few coins guaranteed by the U.S. government for weight, content, and purity. Additionally, the American Silver Eagle is a one-dollar coin made of .999 pure silver. As a result, Silver Eagle investors benefit from unrivaled recognition and liquidity.
Are Silver Coins a Good Investment?
Silver coins and bullions are a good strategy to protect against inflation and other financial market fluctuations. For instance, if the stock market has been underperforming, investors may want to look into silver and other options.
Do Banks Sell Silver Coins?
Banks seldom sell silver, and when they do, they may demand greater premiums. They also lack silver professionals and cannot provide comprehensive counsel to purchasers so that they may make educated decisions. Instead, investors would need to search for offerings from online and brick-and-mortar companies that sell silver coins.
Are Silver Coins Pure Silver?
Since 1986, when the American Eagle bullion coin program began, the United States Mint has created silver coins that are 99.9% pure. Moreover, most silver bars produced by primary refineries are 99.9% pure or higher.
How Much Is .999 Silver Coin Worth?
The price for silver coins varies based on the current spot price of silver, dealer premiums, and market demand. As of January 2024, the value of a .999 fine one-ounce American Silver Eagle falls between $29 and $33 per coin.
Should I Buy Silver or Gold Coins?
If you are looking to invest in silver coins vs. gold coins, here are some points to consider:
Gold is traditionally seen as a long-term investment. It’s known for preserving wealth over generations and offers stability during economic uncertainties.
Silver can be ideal for short-term investment strategies. It’s more affordable and has a history of sharp price movements, which can provide opportunities for quick gains.
Gold’s higher price per ounce might require a larger upfront investment.
Silver’s lower price per ounce makes it more accessible to a broader range of investors, allowing for more flexibility in investment size.
Both metals are highly liquid. However, gold often has a more robust global market, making it slightly easier to trade anywhere in the world.
Gold can act as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
Silver can diversify risk, especially in portfolios heavy in stocks and bonds, due to its different market drivers.
Gold, being more valuable per unit, requires less space for storage but might demand higher security.
Silver, due to its bulkier nature for the same value, requires more storage space.
