What is the Cheapest Way to Buy Silver?
10/01/2026Daniel Fisher
Cheapest Way to Buy Silver in the UK
- VAT-free Silver Britannias stored in bonded vaults can help UK investors avoid 20% VAT while remaining fully allocated, insured and legally owned.
- Coins often offer better value than bars thanks to lower storage costs, greater liquidity, bulk discounts and potential collectable premiums.
- Smart buying strategies – including bulk purchases, dealer comparisons and timing spot price dips – are key to securing the cheapest silver overall.
Globally, silver is sold at significant premiums over its spot prices. But, can UK investors buy it any cheaper?
Well, the only way to do that is to make informed decisions, based on facts and research. Purchase the silver online, look at bulk discounts, offshore tax schemes , or buy junk silver coins.
Silver has long captivated investors as a precious metal with compelling value. Many search for the most cost-effective ways to invest in this commodity in an uncertain economic climate. But with a diversity of silver products on the market, it can be challenging to identify the cheapest options for buying silver.
Here’s how to find a silver investment that will boost your portfolio and meet your investment goals without breaking the bank.
Tax-Free Silver Coins
One of the cheapest ways to buy silver is by choosing VAT-free silver coins, such as Silver Britannias stored in a bonded warehouse. By purchasing silver that is vaulted in Brinks’ bonded warehouse in Switzerland, investors can legally avoid paying the 20% UK VAT that would normally apply to silver, as the metal is kept outside any tax jurisdiction.
The silver is stored on a fully allocated and segregated basis, meaning you are the direct legal owner of specific coins that are securely ring-fenced, fully insured and held in world-class vaulting facilities in Zurich. As an added advantage, Silver Britannias are also Capital Gains Tax-free, making this approach not only one of the lowest-cost ways to buy silver, but also a highly tax-efficient option for UK investors.
This is hands down, the most popular choice for UK investors seeking value, who don’t need to hold the silver in the UK.
Cheapest Ways to Buy Investment Silver
Silver Bars vs. Coins
When it comes to finding the most affordable investment silver, one of the first decisions is whether to buy silver bars or silver coins. At first glance, silver bars seem to provide more silver for your money. Large bars like 5 kg carry lower premiums per ounce compared to coins, which can lead to significant savings on bulk purchases.
However, silver coins have advantages that make them competitive, if not cheaper, in some cases:
- Coins come in smaller denominations, like 1 oz. This provides greater liquidity and flexibility than massive bars if you need to sell some of your holdings.
- The collectable value of certain coins means they sell for more than just the silver melt value. This numismatic premium offers profit potential.
- The variety of coin designs and options allows you to find products matching your personal preferences.
- Silver coins take up less storage space, which reduces holding costs.
- Many dealers will offer quantity discounts when buying silver coins in bulk.
To determine the most cost-effective option, consider your budget, total ounces desired, investment objectives, storage situation, and anticipated usage. Both silver bars and coins have a role in a diversified silver portfolio. But for many retail investors, silver coins often provide the best value for maximising affordability while meeting your practical investment needs.
Junk Silver Coins
Junk silver coins are world coins with absolutely no numismatic value. Therefore, the only value it could possibly have is the value of the amount of silver content.
The most popular coins in this category are American silver coins that were minted before 1965. The US government minted several coins during this period using silver alloys. However, the purity of silver in these coins varied from 35 to 90%. So, these coins command a market value based on what is known as their ‘melt value’. Many of these coins are very attractive to investors as they present a way for them to buy silver at low prices.
Bullion coins such as the American Silver Eagle command a 25-30% premium over the spot price. However, junk silver coins can be bought at only 1-3% over the spot. So, it’s important to identify specific junk silver coins that have no value to numismatists and trade at low prices – just over the spot or sometimes even below.
If you spend your money buying junk silver coins, you’d better get a decent amount of silver from it. You don’t want to spend your money buying large amounts of base metals, which are worthless. It would be better in these cases to go with the tried and tested, and buy tried and tested coins, like those below:
So, the rule of thumb is to avoid coins that have 35 or 40% silver only. Many of these are around, so it’s important to do your research well.
There are US half dollars with the head of JFK, and there are wartime nickels that are simply called Jefferson war nickels. These have no value.
Bags of junk silver coins need sorting to pull out 80% silver coins
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Buying Via Online Platforms
In today’s digital era, online precious metals platforms offer investors convenient ways to buy silver coins, bars and other products. But is buying silver online the most budget-friendly option for investors? Here are some key pros and cons to consider:
Pros of Buying Silver Online
- Wider selection and easy price comparisons: Online platforms often have a broader range of products than physical stores. This variety allows investors to compare prices across multiple web-based sellers easily.
- Potential for lower premiums: Online retailers often have lower overhead costs than brick-and-mortar stores. This can translate to competitive pricing, especially for bulk orders.
- Quick and easy checkout process: Without the need to visit a physical store, investors can make purchases at any time, from anywhere.
- Tracking your payment: When you proceed with your investment, your payment is automatically recorded. That can give you peace of mind as the dealer can’t deny that the transaction took place in case there are any issues after the sale.
Cons of Buying Silver Online
- You can’t physically inspect products: One of the main drawbacks of online purchasing is the inability to physically inspect the products. You’re relying on images and descriptions, which may not always capture the true essence of the silver item.
- Shipping delays and risks of damage: While buying online is convenient, it comes with its own set of challenges related to shipping. There can be delays, and items are at risk of damage during transit. Additionally, shipping costs can sometimes offset the savings from online discounts.
- Storage and security responsibilities: When you buy online, the responsibility of securely storing the purchased silver often falls more on you. Unlike a physical store, where you might get immediate storage solutions, online platforms might require you to make separate arrangements, adding to the overall cost and effort.
- Risk of online payment being compromised: Conducting transactions online always carries a risk. Your credit or debit card details could be exposed to potential security breaches, which can compromise your financial information.
Overall, buying silver online provides a flexible and affordable option for many investors to access an extensive range of silver bullion products. Performing due diligence is key to making sure that you are working with a reputable online precious metals dealer and reviewing prices across multiple platforms.
Buying Silver in Bulk
Buying in bulk is one of the most effective ways to get the lowest premiums when investing in physical silver. This lets you take advantage of volume pricing discounts from precious metals dealers.
However, keep in mind that you’d need to make a substantial investment to complete the trade, which is why most private investors avoid such deals.
On the other hand, it could be a great option for those with the capital and looking to invest a larger sum of money.
Benefits Of Bulk Buying
- Lower prices and bigger discounts: Dealers offer their lowest prices and deepest discounts for large orders. The larger your order, the better deal you can negotiate. If you have the capital and want to explore the wholesale option, we can guide you further.
- Tiered pricing: Many silver dealers have tiered pricing that automatically reduces premiums at certain order values.
- Group purchases: Splitting bulk orders with other investors or buying in shared groups allows you to reach volume tiers for the best pricing.
- Focused investment: Focusing your investment budget on fewer large purchases minimises the impact of premiums paid over time.
- Special products: Products like monster boxes of 500 coins qualify for the lowest price deals.
- Negotiate shipping: You may be able to negotiate free insured shipping on large orders.
Challenges Of Buying In Bulk
- Storage: Buying in bulk means you’ll need a secure place to store your silver. This can lead to additional costs if you opt for professional storage solutions or safety deposit boxes. Then, you also need to make sure that your investment is secure.
- Shipping: Large orders can pose logistical challenges. There’s a higher risk of damage during transit, and shipping costs can be substantial, especially if insurance is added.
- Paperwork: Bulk purchases often come with more extensive documentation. This can include purchase receipts, authenticity certificates, and potentially tax-related documents. Keeping track of this paperwork is crucial for resale and auditing purposes.
When you decide to buy silver in bulk, you need to find dealers like Physical Gold, who will be able to sell the precious metal in large quantities.
Buying silver in volume takes some planning and coordination but offers huge savings in the long run. Strike a balance between bulk and steady accumulation buying to optimise affordability.
How to Get the Best Deal
Finding the most cost-effective silver to add to your investment portfolio takes savvy shopping techniques. Here are insider tips on ensuring you don’t overpay:
- Thoroughly research dealers and compare premiums over the live silver spot price across various online platforms, local coin shops, and national retailers. Buying with the lowest premium over time saves substantially.
- Monitor the daily spot price of silver since it fluctuates based on market forces. Time your purchases right to capitalise on dips for additional savings.
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as they often are. Stick to reputable, established precious metals dealers with strong customer reviews.
- Consider any ancillary fees like shipping, insurance, and storage expenses when comparing pricing across dealers. The cheapest upfront price may not provide the best overall value.
- Negotiate with dealers to reduce premiums on large-volume orders when possible. Never be afraid to ask for a better deal on your bullion purchase.
- Compare prices offered on popular coins like Silver Eagles, Maple Leafs, and Philharmonics to find the best deals.
- Take advantage of limited-time sales, discounts, and price-matching opportunities to maximise your purchasing power.
The cheapest silver isn’t always the best option if it means compromising on product quality or dealer trustworthiness. However, arming yourself with insider buying tips can help every investor stretch their budget further.
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Potential Pitfalls to Avoid
When seeking affordable silver investments, it’s just as important to avoid potential pitfalls as it is to find the best deals. Here are some key mistakes that can lead investors to overpay:
- Not thoroughly vetting dealers and falling for counterfeit or overpriced silver products. Only buy from reputable sources with strong industry reputations.
- Failing to research and compare premiums over the real-time silver spot price across multiple platforms. Don’t assume one dealer always has the lowest price.
- Paying unnecessarily high premiums for rare collectable coins when your goal is simply gaining exposure to the precious metals asset class.
- Overlooking hidden fees like credit card processing charges, shipping costs, and insurance expenses that bloat the total cost.
- Not understanding return policies. You don’t want to be stuck with overpriced silver bullion that you can’t sell back.
- Succumbing to pressure sales tactics, limited-time offers, and exaggerated marketing claims instead of making informed decisions.
Avoiding these common missteps takes diligence, patience, and discipline. However, learning to spot and sidestep potential pitfalls will help every precious metals investor maximise their purchasing power when buying silver.
Factors that Contribute to the Cost of Silver Investment
The total cost of investing in physical silver bullion or silver-backed assets goes beyond the changing daily spot price. Understanding the key variables below will help buyers determine fair pricing:
- Premiums: The markup that dealers charge over the real-time spot price to cover business expenses and profit margins. This is typically quoted as a percentage of the spot.
- Manufacturing, Minting, and Fabrication Fees: The costs incurred to produce bullion coins, rounds, and bars get passed along to investors through higher premiums.
- Storage and Insurance Costs: Holding physical metal in a depository or personal safe carries fees for secure storage, theft protection, and insurance policies.
- Transaction Fees: Online silver dealers and trading platforms often charge small processing fees as a percentage of the total order value.
- Shipping and Delivery Charges: Shipping expenses can vary widely between online retailers, from free insured delivery for large orders to substantial fees for small orders.
- Taxes: In some jurisdictions, sales tax (like VAT) may apply when buying silver bullion products, potentially increasing costs.
Gaining literacy on these contributing expenses empowers investors to compare pricing across silver products and purchasing channels accurately. A wise investor focuses on maximising the amount of metal acquired over time while minimising unnecessary fees.
Download Our FREE Ultimate Insiders Guide to Tax Efficient Silver & Gold Investment
The Basics of Silver Investment
Silver is an attractive precious metal for investors for several reasons. It has inherent value and many industrial uses, driving steady demand. But the main draw is silver’s demonstrated ability to preserve wealth over time. Of course, its affordability compared to gold also makes it appealing.
When investing in silver, there are many forms to choose from – coins, bars, jewellery, mining stocks, ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds), and more. However, physical silver coins and bars tend to be the most popular options for individual investors aiming to build precious metals portfolios.
The price of silver is influenced by various factors, including supply and demand, inflation levels, geopolitics, industrial activity, and investor sentiment. This leads to volatility in daily spot prices, requiring discipline and patience from investors.
Unlike gold, silver is prone to more significant price swings over time. But its continued role as a store of value remains constant. Those who buy silver during price dips and hold for the long term are often rewarded.
Grasping these silver investing basics primes investors to make smart decisions when buying physical silver or related assets cost-effectively. Affordable silver is only valuable if acquired as part of an intelligent overall strategy.
The Future of Silver Investment
What does the future hold for silver prices, demand, and the overall investment landscape? Here are some projections:
- Continued price volatility is expected as investor demand fluctuates and industrial needs evolve. However, the long-term trajectory appears strong.
- Demand should remain robust as technology, green energy, and medical applications rely heavily on silver. Supply constraints may emerge.
- Inflation concerns have many investors flocking to precious metals like silver as stores of value and hedge against inflation. This trend could intensify.
- Trading platforms and efficiency may improve investor access and reduce barriers, expanding the retail buyer pool.
- Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and currency devaluation will likely fuel ongoing safe-haven demand for silver worldwide.
By staying ahead of market projections, silver investors can make strategic near-term purchases while accounting for future trends. Maintaining core long-term holdings offers stability amidst silver’s coming volatility and upside.
Related Questions
What is the most profitable way to buy silver?
Buying silver is most profitable when you can maximise your purchasing power by getting the most metal for your money. This involves buying in bulk when possible, comparing dealer premiums, and looking for discounted limited-time offerings.
How to buy silver without fees?
Avoiding all fees when buying silver is extremely difficult, if not impossible. However, you can minimise fees by purchasing directly from mints during promotions, buying bars over coins, and shopping around for online dealers that offer free shipping and price matching.
What is the cheapest day to buy silver?
Silver spot prices fluctuate daily based on market forces. One cost-saving strategy is to place limit orders that auto-execute when silver reaches a desired price on a downward dip. This allows buying at the lowest premiums over days or weeks rather than on one particular day.
What is the best way to buy silver in the UK?
For UK investors, the most cost-effective way to buy silver is likely through an online bullion dealer like Physical Gold that offers competitive pricing on coins and bars with secure, insured delivery.
How to Invest in Silver
Investing in physical silver coins and bars allow direct ownership with tax benefits, purchased through reputable dealers online. A lower premium option is Silver ETFs which track spot prices and don’t incur storage fees, though lack physical redemption. Equity stakes in miners provide an increased risk profile with potential for higher returns.
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