What to know about coins, bars, and premiums before your first purchase.
Silver’s low price per ounce makes it one of the most accessible precious metals to start buying, but a few things are worth knowing before your first purchase. This is general information, not investment advice — talk to a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
The silver spot price is the raw market price per ounce. Dealers add a premium on top to cover minting, distribution, and their margin. Check the current silver spot price before you buy, so you know what premium you’re actually paying.
Because silver costs so much less per ounce than gold, a dealer’s flat premium makes up a much bigger percentage of the total price. A $3 premium is trivial on a $2,000 gold coin, but significant on a $30 silver coin — so comparing premiums across a few dealers matters more with silver.
Coins (like American Silver Eagles) are government-minted and easy to verify, but usually carry a higher premium. Bars are typically cheaper per ounce and better for buying in bulk. Silver also has a third option gold and platinum don’t: pre-1965 90% silver US coins, known as junk silver, which are widely available and easy to trade in small amounts.
Stick to dealers with a long track record, clear pricing, and buy-back policies. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics and deals that seem far below spot price, and always confirm current spot price independently before agreeing to a purchase.
Often, yes — its low price per ounce makes it easy to start small and learn how the bullion market works before committing larger amounts to gold or platinum.
Junk silver refers to pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars, all struck in 90% silver. It's popular because it's easy to verify, widely available, and simple to trade in small increments based on face value.