How to Buy Silver for Investment

How to Buy Silver for Investment
Posted on September 29, 2023 by BOLD Precious Metals

Investors can diversify their portfolios with various asset classes in light of the recent volatility in the overall market. Silver offers shelter during economic turmoil and a potential buffer against high inflation rates, even if gold is the more well-liked investment option. We'll delve into this article to learn about silver investment, covering the benefits of including silver in your portfolio and the various investment options accessible.

What is Silver?

Silver is a beautiful metallic substance distinguished by its dazzling white appearance and high conductivity. As a valuable commodity, silver is a precious metal that finds usage in a wide variety of industrial applications. In addition, silver has been used for centuries in jewelry, coinage, and as a means of storing value due to its high value-to-weight ratio.

If you want to add legitimate silver to your investment portfolio, consider purchasing from reputable precious metals dealers like BOLD Precious Metals. 

Alternatively, futures contracts provide another way to gain exposure to silver, but this typically requires an account with a commodities brokerage. Buying physical silver for investment makes safeguarding and growing your wealth easier.

History of Silver

Silver was discovered and mined in Anatolia, now known as modern-day Turkey, around 3,000 BCE. Around 1,200 BCE, the primary source of silver production shifted to Greece's Laurium mines. The mines continued to supply the growing empires in the region and even served as currency in ancient Athens. Eventually, around 100 CE, the center of silver mining moved to Spain, which became a significant supplier for the Roman Empire and an essential trading component along the Asian spice routes.

In the United States, silver was highly valued and most abundant during the 1870s when the Comstock Lode was found in Nevada. Throughout the 1800s, a yearly production of over 120 million troy ounces of silver was achieved by people. Generations adopted silver predominantly as a form of currency, which became one of the most iconic uses of the metal.

In the early 1960s, the supply of silver in the United States dwindled to historic lows, prompting the government to stop producing silver coins after 1964. 

Any American coins with a date of 1964 or earlier, including dimes, quarters, half dollars, or dollar coins, contain 90% silver. For $20 per ounce, the silver content of these coins alone makes them worth approximately 14 times their face value.

Is Silver a Good Investment?

When investing, the value of silver in your portfolio depends on its role. If we look at silver's performance over the last five years on its own, it has been similar to that of the reputable S&P 500 index. However, since the market for such commodities may experience small fluctuations in supply and demand, the price of silver doesn't always mirror that of the broader economy. Nonetheless, it has regularly done well for many years, and its prices are rising.

Investors often invest in silver to diversify their portfolios and hedge against the stock market. The reasons for investing in silver are similar to those for investing in gold. The argument is that silver may retain its value even during economic downturns when other investments suffer due to its inherent scarcity and use in applications like electronics. However, investing in silver should depend on individual investment needs and economic outlook.

Pros & Cons of Investing in Silver

Pros

  • Safe haven

Include some safe-haven assets in your portfolio when making stock market investments. One such crucial commodity for investors is silver.

Market ups and downs have a negative correlation with silver. This suggests that when the stock market tends to decline, the price of silver increases. Because of this, demand for silver also rises amid volatile market conditions.

  • Store of value

Over time, silver generates earnings and raises the value of your portfolio. As a result, it is a reliable source of profits for investors.

  • Essential industrial metal

Silver is a long-term investment asset, and it is also used in various sectors. It is used for multiple industrial uses, including mirrors, paints, dental alloys, etc. Silver's price might rise as an essential component in both the industrial and residential worlds.

  • A physical asset

Unlike specific investing options, silver is a physical object you can own and retain.  Due to the constant need for this metal, this provides long-term stability for investors. Because of this, silver is among the finest possibilities for long-term returns on personal investments.

Cons

  • Theft possibility

Physical silver must be stored safely and is frequently characterized by wide bid-ask spreads.

  • Negative aspects of industrial metal

The case for retaining silver as a hedge against economic downturns is undermined because, as an industrial metal, demand for silver can drop during industrial financial distress.

Best Way to Invest in Silver

1. Coins or Bullion

Physical silver ownership, whether as coins like American Eagle or bullion like Nadir silver bar, is a psychologically and emotionally rewarding silver investment strategy. And in certain instances, getting to it is relatively easy. For example, US coins from before 1964 have a silver content of roughly 90% and can be bought for that amount.

As with precious metals, there are various investment options for silver that you can consider adding to your portfolio. If silver prices rise, coins, bars, and rounds could increase in value, so it is worth considering. You can buy silver bullion through BOLD Precious Metals. Silver coins and rounds come in various sizes and designs, while silver bars are popular with those who want to invest in larger quantities.

2. Silver Futures

Silver futures allow you to speculate on the growth or fall of silver prices swiftly. While it is possible to receive physical silver, futures trading is mainly used for speculating. There are inherent risks in trading futures contracts as the leverage can magnify gains and losses depending on the market's movement. 

3. Silver Mining Stocks

One way to capitalize on a silver market that is on the rise is through the ownership of stocks in companies that mine the precious metal. It is crucial to conduct a thorough analysis before investing because some mining companies are risky ventures that have yet to commence the extraction of silver.

How To Buy Physical Silver?

Acquiring physical silver can be more intricate compared to other traditional investments. If you plan to hold it yourself, you must determine how to store it properly. To purchase physical silver, follow these fundamental steps:

  • Find a trusted dealer

Purchasing precious metals can expose you to scam risks if you're not vigilant. Make sure the dealer you work with has a reputation you are familiar with. Rest assured, BOLD has been the most trusted and respected dealer since 2015, having numerous excellent customer ratings. 

  • Pay attention to premiums

Silver won't likely be available for the current spot price of the commodity. Like most retailers, silver dealers will mark their pricing to make a small profit. BOLD offers its valued customers the market's lowest premiums and daily bargains on all bullion coins and bars.

  • Store your silver

If your silver is lost or stolen, it is worthless. You can keep it safe by purchasing your safe or utilizing a bank's safe deposit box. Additionally, getting insurance for your silver bullion may be a wise decision. 

While it incurs an extra expense, it can provide peace of mind if something unfortunate happens to your silver. BOLD recommends seven different depositories for precious metals storage, providing insurance for your investment. You can check those depositories in our Gold IRA section.

Conclusion

Silver is a precious metal that is highly sought after as an investment option. Even though silver is not as valuable as gold per unit weight, it is widely used in electronics and other industrial applications. Investors often invest in silver to diversify their commodity holdings and portfolios.

Purchase physical silver bullion from a trustworthy dealer, BOLD Precious Metals, to invest in silver confidently. BOLD offers a vast selection of silver bullion at the lowest premiums, including silver coins, bars, and rounds. Enjoy the seamless process of investing in silver with the expert customer services of BOLD.

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