something I don't understand when buying silver....

[Lord Xar]

When I have purchased Silver in the past, it would be some standard brand. Nothing fancy or unique date, ala:
http://www.apmex.com/Category/1202/1_oz_Silver_Rounds.aspx

but then I see these, which are more expensive - isn't silver is silver is silver is silver? What does it matter the pattern or manufacterer?
http://www.apmex.com/Category/1596/Engelhard__Johnson_Matthey_Silver_Rounds.aspx
or

http://www.apmex.com/Category/2/Canadian_Silver_Maple_Leafs_2012__Prior.aspx


What is the difference? When / If one was to cash in sometime in the distant future, why would one 1oz of one be more than another 1oz?

 

[Drex]

I want to buy silver but it seems all so confusing

 

[tsai3904]

Some brands carry a reputational premium. Since they are more recognizable, they carry a premium because they will be easier to sell in the future.

 

[Lord Xar]

I see.

Do you have any thoughts, personally, on that? Will/does it matter? APMEX seems reputable, why would they not have a premium attached as a valid/trusted producer of silver...

Just trying to wrap my head around this. I see so many options.

 

[Drex]

What's the difference from buying coins than regular silver bars?

 

[tsai3904]

The CME has a list of approved brands that affect derivative contracts. These brands are the most recognizable as the largest dealers/players buy and sell these brands.
http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/metals/silver-brands.html

The ones I see the most in the US are Johnson Matthey and Engelhard. Anyone who deals with silver knows these brands.

Obviously for private investors who's not dealing in the millions, brands don't make that much of a difference. If you know you're not going to be building a million dollar stash that you'll need to liquidate in a hurry, brands won't really matter too much to you.

 

[tsai3904]

What's the difference from buying coins than regular silver bars?

Some coins are characterized by their brands AND year they were produced.

Most bars are just characterized by their brands.

Coins usually carry a higher premium than bars.

 

[Cleaner44]

Getting different forms of silver serves different purposes. I would suggest 90% pre-1965 coins as a first need. You can get pieces as small as dimes and the premium is usually low. Just remember for comparison purposes $1.40 of face vaule, is about 1 troy oz. Picking up 40 quarters and 40 dimes is a nice batch. These coins could be used well in the event of a currency collapse.

There are 1.0127 troy ounces of silver in 14 silver Mercury dime(s).
http://www.coinflation.com/coins/silver_calc.php

Next getting 1 oz rounds or bar is good for bulk and then getting 10oz bar for bigger bulk. These are a great store of value and a varity is good. American Silver Eagles, JM bars and generics all have their place.

Obviously all of this is moot though because the Fed has things well under control and inflation is nonexistent... in fact gold and silver are arcane just like those pesky delegate rules and we should all be getting on board the Bernanke train now! Fiat rules the day!





just kidding

 

[cubical]

http://www.gainesvillecoins.com/category/407/90-percent-silver-coins.aspx

 

[DEGuy]

When I have purchased Silver in the past, it would be some standard brand. Nothing fancy or unique date, ala:
http://www.apmex.com/Category/1202/1_oz_Silver_Rounds.aspx

but then I see these, which are more expensive - isn't silver is silver is silver is silver? What does it matter the pattern or manufacterer?
http://www.apmex.com/Category/1596/Engelhard__Johnson_Matthey_Silver_Rounds.aspx
or

http://www.apmex.com/Category/2/Canadian_Silver_Maple_Leafs_2012__Prior.aspx


What is the difference? When / If one was to cash in sometime in the distant future, why would one 1oz of one be more than another 1oz?

One reason you see a slight premium for American Silver Eagles (Or Cadanian Leafs for that matter) is that they are already legal currency. Of course, there is that pesky difference between the face value ($1) and the intrinsic value (~$30) for the coins, BUT there is slightly more recognized. In the unlikely collapse of the paper dollar, silver and gold coins would retain their intrinsic value, and the american eagles would have a lot more standing than other coins due to the legal status. I'd actually pay a few more dollars premium on silver american eagles, but only because I plan to hold them until the fiat collapses or a law is passed to remove capital gains taxes on bartering of silver and gold currency.

If neither of those things happen, then it'll mean that the Keynesians are unstoppable. And we're all screwed if that happens.

 

[Arklatex]

I recommend the Canadian Wildlife series, only 1 million minted of each edition gives them a much bigger collectors value compared to 30-40 million of the regulars.

 

[Kelly.]

Some brands carry a reputational premium. Since they are more recognizable, they carry a premium because they will be easier to sell in the future.

i wonder if this will be the case once ASE and AGE fakes are found

call me crazy, but i prefer a lower premium.

 

[TomtheTinker]

I want to buy silver but it seems all so confusing

it is slightly confusing until you get your toes wet. Go to a few local coin shops and see what they charge for junk silver(pre 65 halfs, quarters and dimes) check out the value on conflation.com..if your coin dealer prices are similar to what u see on conflation your getting a fair deal...start small

 

[LibertyRevolution]

Because prospectors are more rare than your average generic, they have not been minted since like the 80's.
It is a well know mint and a known bullion coin.

It feels really good in your hand, there is just something about the ridges on the edge that I like.
Prospectors are just so awesome though, you should really hold one. They are my favorite bullion round.
I'm torn when I have to choose between prospectors or maples, maples are my favorite of all silver...

 

[Lord Xar]

I see silver around $28.00 to $28.02

You think the Greece issue, that is now in the news, will affect the price one way or the other?

 

[tsai3904]

I see silver around $28.00 to $28.02

You think the Greece issue, that is now in the news, will affect the price one way or the other?

Of course it will but no one will know to what extent. A lot of people are speculating that this recent drop in silver has to do with JP Morgan losing a lot of money on their derivatives so they are being forced to liquidate a lot of their positions, which includes a lot of commodities.

 

[Seraphim]

It's very simple.;

Stick to Government mint bullion as well as bars that are made by world reknown smiths, such as Englehart and Johnson Mathey.

For silver bullion, expect to pay 2-4$ above spot, per ounce.

Bonus: 90%, pre 1964 US Coins...

I want to buy silver but it seems all so confusing

 

[Bossobass]

I want to buy silver but it seems all so confusing

Hi Drex,

Like all investments, they are made to be confusing so that you feel the need to consult the Magic Soothsayers. There are charts and candles and technicals and sentiments and Greek Tragedies and manipulations and heads and shoulders.

I like the K.I.S.S. method. If you want to track silver against the USD, simply look at the USD Index as the general indicator, +/- inflation:

Minted silver bullion coins are the safest bet to be .99 pure silver content and weight. Premiums are added on mostly by quantity purchased. Tulving has the best deals, but usually sells only monster boxes (500 coins in whatever mint's factory box). They are currently charging $1.99 over spot for Silver Canadian Maples, which includes insured overnight freight charges.

American Silver Eagles carry a higher premium and special edition minted bullion coins carry even higher premiums. APMEX, Bullion Direct, etc., etc., all offer lower quantity purchase points, but the premiums will be higher and you'll pay the freight.

Some say Eagles have a higher premium because they're "easier to sell", which I think is nonsense. Pay a lower premium going in, collect a lower premium getting out. Pay a higher premium going in, collect a higher premium getting out. It all comes out in the wash. 1 OZ of .999 Silver is 1 OZ of .999 silver.

Pre-'64 coinage, bars, jewelry, etc., are all viable options but, IMO, K.I.S.S. to start. Buy Minted Bullion and watch the USDX and play soothsayer regarding the movement of the USDX and inflation, based on real news.

You'll naturally branch into other ares of investing in hard assets, IMO, but this is a safe and sure way to enter.

IMO, silver is currently down because the Euro is down which elevated the USD in the index, which is all that is... an index of ratios of one currency vs the others that are in the basket of currencies. The rest of the hocus pocus is BS to me, except I definitely believe that the silver spot price has historically been manipulated to below market value since the Hunts attempt to corner in the late 70s (which see).

Just my opinion, FWIW, YMMV...

Bosso

 

[Arklatex]

Wow Silver is 26.90

 

[rpwi]

I think I found out why Silver is dropping:

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11511461/1/fate-of-silver-lies-in-investors-hands.html

Basically, recently the World Silver Survey 2012 was released and it said silver supply was outpacing fabrication demand (industrial demand). Obviously a bad thing for silver...and it's really rattled the silver markets.