Gold or Silver Investment – which do I choose?

As investors increasingly turn to precious metals to protect their wealth, a common dilemma faced by many is whether to invest in gold or silver. The two metals behave quite differently, so it’s important to understand the dynamics of investing in either, before deciding to add them to your portfolio. Striking the right balance is essential to extricate value from your investments. Far too many people invest money into these asset classes without understanding what they’re getting into. Unfortunately, this can result in undesirable exposure to risk, further up the road. So, let’s take a close look at the right approach to combining your investments in both precious metals.

Historical analysis

Gold has historically been the precious metal of choice for most investors. During upheaval in the market, gold can provide safety and security for your investment portfolio. If we look back at every financial crisis, it is glaringly obvious that gold has risen to new heights during these times of uncertainty.

During the 2008 market crisis, gold reached its highest point in 2011. Similarly, at the height of the economic crisis created by the global pandemic last year, gold once again touched historical highs in August 2020. Even during a normal period in the market, gold performs steadily. Although the yellow metal may rise or fall in the course of market transactions, it does not suffer from extreme volatility. This makes it a fairly safe bet for most investors.

Investment horizon

Investment planning is perhaps the most important step when investing money into any asset class. Gold and silver exhibit different behaviours across different time horizons. Gold has historically been seen as a safe and steady investment that generates returns and unlocks value over time. Silver, on the other hand, is often seen as a volatile precious metal.

Currently, there is a lot of interest in silver investments as pundits have predicted the mercurial rise of silver in the years to come. Gold is usually a better option for those investing with a shorter time horizon. Silver investors will require a much longer time horizon to unlock value from their investments. However, if the white metal behaves as predicted, there is an incredible opportunity to get in at lower price points and reap great returns in the future.

The gold-silver ratio

Another factor that governs investments in gold or silver is their price ratio. This has widened considerably over the years. It used to be 47:1 but now stands at 85:1. So, silver presents an incredible opportunity for investors to access the precious metals market as it is 85 times cheaper than gold. That is simply an incredible gap, and many investors want to get in and make hay while the sun shines.

But does it make sense to invest in silver? The white metal is a lot cheaper than gold and provides investors with affordable and easy access to the precious metals markets. Due to the widening gold-silver ratio, an entry-level investor may find it more attractive to buy silver.

Daniel Fisher, CEO of Physical Gold believes that the gap could widen further in the near future. According to his prediction, there is a possibility that it could soon be 100:1. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to strike the right balance between these two precious metals, when deciding to add both to your portfolio.

The demand for silver surges

Additionally, silver has suffered from production shortages in the last few years, while demand has risen substantially. As a metal, silver has certain sterling properties. It is one of the most conductive metals and also very ductile. Due to this, it is in demand across several industries like solar, electronics, electric vehicles, etc. Silver investors believe that the price of the white metal may escalate significantly in the years to come, and it may be prudent to lock in investments at low prices now. This may create a wonderful opportunity to reap profits when prices start to rise.

Precious metals portfolio – the right balance

Silver investments can be more volatile when compared to gold. Silver enjoys huge industrial demand and prices are expected to rise as supplies are thinning out. Historical price charts show us that silver tracks gold in terms of growth. Over the long-term, the gold-silver price ratio could reduce to 25:1. The production price is another factor that also needs to be taken into consideration.

In the case of gold, the production margins fade in comparison to its value. However, silver’s current spot price of around £11 does not allow the flexibility to absorb these margins. To strike a healthy balance, a prudent approach could be to maintain a holding of 8% in gold, followed by 20% in silver.

So, if you are focused on building a strong portfolio and hedging risks, gold may be a natural choice. However, if long-term profits attract you, silver investments may fulfil this objective. Gold offers better returns in the short-term and silver can provide you with an opportunity to capitalise over the longer term.

Combining the two metals

It’s actually most prudent to own a mix of both gold and silver. Gold is a more established safe-haven asset, so tends to gain more from market downturns and volatility. Silver can also perform well in these circumstances but also benefits when industrial demand for silver increases as it’s used so widely in electronics. While silver certainly has more opportunity for huge growth, gold is the steadier of the two.

Of course, there are certain tax advantages and disadvantages of buying silver. Silver coins that are legal tender in the UK can qualify for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption. However, other silver investments may not.

The investment experts at Physical Gold can discuss your gold and silver investments

Our investment team is well-placed to offer expert advice to investors like you about investments in either precious metal. Get in touch with us by dialling (020) 7060 9992 or simply send us an email. We can assist you in making the right decision to balance your portfolio by adding both gold and silver.

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Gold and Silver Investment

All fans of the old spaghetti-style western movies would remember the film – “The good, the bad, and the ugly”. Speculative investors often invest in a typical cowboy style without understanding the dynamics of the market. In a world where online gold dealers are becoming increasingly popular, savvy investors need to be aware of the pitfalls of this market. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of gold and silver investing and also look at a few novice pitfalls which could leave your investment stranded, if you’re not careful.

The pros of investing in gold and silver (‘The Good’)

While gold and silver has been used as a medium of exchange in the past, coins and bars are now bought and sold as an investment. Buying real physical gold (as opposed to paper or electronic), offers a unique, intrinsically valued asset  which can rise in value and provide balance to a portfolio.

Established market

The Internet and the information age has created transparency across the globe when it comes to gold and silver prices. It doesn’t matter whether you’re based out of Honolulu or Hokkaido, spot prices of gold and silver are easily available for all investors to browse before buying or selling. There are plenty of reputed online gold dealers who would guarantee your purchases and industry bodies like the LBMA or the BNTA are regulating the market at all times. This creates a level playing field for all investors to be able to invest their money safely.

Verifiable assets

For investors in the UK, the London bullion market has created a system by which all gold bars in their system are verifiable, starting with the manufacturer, the assayer through to storage facilities in which the bars are held in LBMA recognised vaults. Through these best practices, the gold industry has reduced the risk of counterfeit bars entering the system. In a similar manner, the silver industry is also well regulated, providing investors with a transparent market where their money is safe as long as they’re dealing with registered, reputed brokers and dealers.

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Unique hedge against inflation and recession

Precious metals like gold and silver are an excellent hedge against economic turmoil and inflation. The prices of gold and silver have remained relatively stable over the years and are not affected by volatility in the way that other asset classes are. All of this makes investments in gold and silver worthwhile in the long run. Owning gold or silver will likely reduce your overall financial risk as their value tends to rise when mainstream assets fall. In other words, gold and silver investment thrives during times of economic turmoil.

Disadvantages of gold and silver investing (‘The Bad’)

There are possible downsides to every investment and gold and silver have their possible disadvantages too. It’s always important to assess every investment opportunity on it’s merits and judge it based on your investment objectives and priorities.

No income from owning coins or bars

Once an investor purchases gold or silver in its physical form, he/she cannot make an income out of this investment unless the asset is sold. Certain investments in gold and silver are tax-free in the UK, however the same does not apply to the rest of the world. Of course, there are ups and downs in the spot prices of gold and these asset classes cannot be used to make quick money. Investors need to remain invested over the long-term in order to reap benefits from their investments.

Don’t buy the wrong type of gold

Buying gold and silver jewellery is not ideal as making charges and wasted charges are deducted from the sale price. Since the prices of gold and silver do not rise quickly, these deductions could erode whatever returns you have made on your purchase. Only investment grade gold is VAT-exempt, so ensure you are buying bars and coins of 22 karats and higher only.

Buying gold or silver coins with huge premiums or in expensive packaging can also negatively impact your investment returns, so be sure to research the best coins for investment in your country. A good precious metals dealer should be able to provide guidance.

Costs to buying, selling and storing

The spread between the price you pay when buying and selling is higher when dealing with physical silver and gold than with electronic assets. The cost of manufacturing and distribution means that the market has to move up more with gold and silver investing to make a profit than trading stocks.

Another downside of investing in gold and silver is that you need secure storage. It may not be safe to store precious metals inside your home, especially if you have a large amount.

Professional storage solutions are available, for example, Physical Gold stores their client’s purchases in an LBMA approved vault. However, there are costs attached to this and this and needs to be factored into the overall price.

The downright ugly

Trading in the precious metals markets requires you to be a savvy investor and have good knowledge of the market, especially when it comes to identifying genuine gold and silver. While there are accessories available in the market that can help you do that, you do require experience and specialised knowledge to be able to tell whether a bar or a coin is counterfeit. There are plenty of rogue traders out there and that’s the ugly part. Many in investors often fall for the lure of advertising and end up dealing with one of these rogue traders. Needless to say, their purchases are often fake and by the time the end up realising that, the money is all gone.

As a precious metals investor, you need to deal with a reputed online broker at all times. The BNTA website has a full list of registered traders. Physical Gold is proud to be an authorised BNTA trader and has a long track record in the market, with thousands of customers who had a great experience with us.

Don’t fall for the bad and the ugly

Talk to our precious metals experts at Physical Gold today and they will advise you on the best way to invest in gold and silver. Our investment experts take into account your investment goals, your personal profile and your investable capital. They use this information to advise you on the best way to build up a precious metals portfolio at the best prices in the market. Call us today on 020 7060 9992 or get in touch with us online to speak to a member of the team.

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Silver investing now and in the coming years

In this video, we’ll take a look at silver’s prospects for 2020 and beyond. Over the past 5 years, interest in silver has grown exponentially to the point where we now get almost as many silver enquiries as gold.

So is silver a worthwhile investment in 2022 and beyond, and what can we expect from it, we examine silver investing in 2022?

I’d like to start by looking at downside risk. The silver price fell from around £13 an ounce at the start of 2017, to £12.50/oz the following year, and nearer to £12 an ounce in 2019. Clearly, the prospect of owning a depreciating asset is unappealing.

Downside risk

However, unlike gold, silver’s demand consists predominantly from industrial use. As the world’s most conductive material, silver is used in most electronic components, solar panels, photography and medicines. The digital age is only going to develop over the coming years, creating new electronic demands on silver. The search for alternative energy will lead to increasing silver demand with electric cars and electric solar energy. So with industrial demand rising, downside risk to silver is minimal.

Gold-Silver ratio

It’s also fair to say that the silver price has suffered far worse in recent years than the gold price, with clear suggestions that it’s been oversold. The ratio between the two metals’ prices has widened from a long term average of 47:1 to 70:1 a few years ago, and now an incredible 95:1.

This theme may scare inexperienced investors, but this would suggest a buying opportunity in 2022 for silver. If you can lock in prices when the silver price is so low, your upside becomes magnified.  The silver market is far smaller than that of gold, so prices can be more volatile. It also means that the price can move up in percentage terms far quicker and far greater.

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Global economy

The silver price could well receive a double boost over the coming years.

As well as the rising industrial demand, there’s plenty of uncertainty in the global economy to boost silver as a safe haven. 2019 and beyond marked a turn in the economic cycle. The middle of 2018 saw property prices begin to fall and global stock markets start to decline from their 9-year bull run. After nearly a decade of rising stock and property prices, the global economy is set for a big correction, especially with interest rates now on the rise. Throw in Brexit and a growing car leasing credit bubble, and safe havens could well become the flavour of the month once again. Gold will likely rise first, with silver following behind. But once silver starts its upward trend, the pace of increase will outstrip that of gold.

Diversify

A lot of investors ask me whether they should buy gold or silver. After all the two metals are quite different. For me, there’s a strong case to own both. Diversification is key in today’s digital globalised economy, so investing in silver and gold is a great way to hedge your hedge!

Now tax free

By sticking to Silver Britannia coins, any profit you make is also free from Capital Gains Tax!

Silver investing in 2020 with Physical Gold Ltd

So there you have it. 2020 and beyond are set to be exciting years for silver investing. Courage may be needed to enter a market which has fallen in value, but history will tell you, that’s the exact time to stack your claim.

If you feel silver could play a role in your investment portfolio, or you simply want to buy some silver coins or bars, then don’t hesitate to call our team of experts on 020 7060 9992 for any guidance you need.

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s video. If so, please check out all 20 videos in the gold & silver investment guide series.

Do’s and Donts of Buying Silver

With silver predicted to go up to $30 per ounce, many investors are now keen to buy silver. Like any other precious metal, one needs to be abreast of market trends and have some knowledge on buying silver before going about it. There are many forms of silver available in the marketplace, and it is important for investors to know how to assess purity, find the best dealer, be aware of the different sizes available and lastly, know the right price to pay.

Do understand the forms of silver

The most commonly available form is called the bullion bar. These are available in round, triangular and rectangular forms. The rectangular form is often the most popular as it facilitates ease of storage. When buying an investment-grade bar from a reputed dealer, it’s important to note the purity number. This is usually imprinted on the bar and written as .995 or .999. Basically, a bar with a number that says .999 is 99.9% pure silver.

Buying silver and art combined…

Art bars are also available, and these are different from bullion bars as they usually have some kind of artwork with imagery or commemorative signage. Sometimes, these bars are released by mints to commemorate certain historical events. As these are collectables, they are often worth more than their spot price in silver. However, it is important not to get hung up on buying these collectable bars and invest the premium instead of buying bullion bars.

Do familiarise yourself with sizes of silver bars

Silver bars come in a variety of different weights and dimensions. Bars are weighed in troy ounces with increments of 1 ounce, 5 ounces, 10 ounces, a kilo, as well as 100 ounces and 1000 ounce bars. It is important to note that while smaller bars give you higher liquidity, they cost more per ounce due to their manufacturing costs.

If you are buying silver to grow your wealth, it is better to buy larger bars and keep them in storage. Bars often come packed in their own shell case you should never remove the bar from its casing. The casing not only protects your bar but also serves as proof that the bar has not been tampered with.

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Do try to get the best price when buying your bar

Bars manufactured by reputed companies come with their brand imprinted on the bar. These bars are usually more expensive to buy, due to brand value and limited editions. If you’re thinking of investing only in silver bars manufactured by reputed global mints or well-known brands, it’s important that you research the brand thoroughly. However, the best deals are often found in generic silver bars available from local manufacturers. As long as you assess their purity and buy them through a reputed dealer, you can get a much better deal on these.

Do research your coins well before buying them

So far we have discussed silver bars, but an equally attractive investment opportunity lies in silver coins (such as Britannias). However, it’s important to know enough about coins before buying them. Coins are also available as bullion and circulated coins.

Once again, bullion coins are worth their weight in silver, but circulated coins can often command a higher price depending on their rarity and their numismatic value. For example, a rare silver coin from the American Civil War is usually worth 100 times more than its value in silver weight.

Don’t get fixated on buying new silver bars and coins

The shiny lustre of a brand-new bar or coin can be difficult to resist, but there are better deals to be had on resold silver. At the end of the day, you want to buy your silver as close as possible to the spot price and it’s pointless to spend extra money on a new branded bar or coin. Of course, it is important to verify the purity of the silver you buy, and as long as you trade with a reputed dealer, they would check the authenticity and the purity of the item before selling it to you.

Don’t get fooled into paying more for shipping

Many dealers advertise their silver coins and bars online at prices that seem like a steal and it’s very tempting to purchase the product immediately. However, many of these dealers often charge you a very high amount for shipping. Basically, they tempt you into buying something that seems like a lower price but then make up their money through the excessive charge that they make for shipping. Always research shipping prices well before cementing a deal.

Don’t purchase your silver on online marketplaces

Online marketplaces like eBay often have great deals on silver but do remember you’re buying something that you cant touch and feel, often from an un-reputed dealer or an individual who is selling them online. The best way to buy silver online is to identify a reputed online dealer and call them first and speak with them before getting the deals. A list of reputed online dealers is available on the BNTA website.

Call or silver experts to know more about buying silver

At Physical Gold, we pride ourselves in being a reputed online dealer, registered with the BNTA. All of our products come with a certificate of authenticity and we also offer a guaranteed buyback on every product that we sell online. We also advise customers free of cost on the best ways to buy silver and practical, cost-effective ways to store them.

Call our hotline now on 020 7060 9992, or contact us online to have a member of the team call you back. We have a proven track record as an online precious metals dealer  (in both gold (bars and coins) and silver) and it is probably the best call you will ever make.

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If you’re new to investing in gold and silver, then a typical concern is ensuring the gold or silver you buy is authentic and of a high grade. The motivation for most gold investors is to reduce their overall risk, so the last thing they want is to risk buying bogus coins or bars. Certainly, for the novice, the safest bet is to buy from a reputable dealer.

Research is crucial to ensure the credibility and integrity of the dealer (and as such, the metals they provide). At Physical Gold we operate a very tight process to ensure sub-standard or counterfeit metals don’t enter our system.

Gold and silver sourcing and numismatic checks

We source our metals direct from manufacturers or mints, or from authorised dealers, ensuring their provenance is known.  Gold or silver purchased from the public is tested and verified by our numismatic team and rejected if it doesn’t meet our strict standards.

Accreditations / track record

We are proud members of the British Numismatic Association (BNTA), which means we adhere to a strict code of ethics and guidelines on all our metals. Membership requires prior vetting and approval by existing members, to verify a dealer’s integrity. Regular stolen and fake goods alerts are circulated within the BNTA so that we’re aware of any forgeries on the market.    Look out for the BNTA logo to ensure your dealer is accredited and has signed up to such code of ethics. We’re also members of the British Numismatic Society, an organisation made up of coin professionals, established as far back as 1903.

Certificate of authenticity

We can provide a Certificate of Authenticity upon request with a purchase you make through us, guaranteeing its authenticity and that your purchase has been checked and meets our standards.

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Buyback guarantee

We are proud to offer all our customers a guarantee to buy back all gold or silver bought from us, regardless of time lapsed.  This demonstrates the confidence we have in our own checks and processes.

So if you’re considering purchasing silver or gold, but are unsure how to judge its authenticity, then worry no more. That’s our job as the experts, to provide you with protection and assurance.

Investors have always turned to precious metals like gold and silver when building their investment portfolios, which is why we have created this “How to Buy Gold and Silver” guide. Gold has always remained a popular asset class for many investors, due to its reliability as a store of wealth. Gold has performed well over the last 20 years and the spot price of gold has risen steadily, providing great returns in the short term.

Additionally, the yellow metal has provided an avenue for investors to hedge their risks during times of economic turmoil. Last year, we witnessed the price of gold reaching its highest ever peak due to the economic crisis across the world, triggered by the global pandemic. Silver has also risen steadily over the years, due to high industrial demand. Many investors invest in silver with the expectation that the white metal will generate higher returns in the future.

Deciding your objectives

When deciding how to buy gold and silver, it’s important to understand that both gold and silver are available as bars and coins. The choice of precious metal depends on your investment horizon and objectives.

Investors who are looking for steady returns in both the short and long term are better off investing in gold. Silver, on the other hand, has a volatile market that is suited for speculative investments. The price of silver is quite low when compared to gold. Therefore, it provides an easy entry for investors into the precious metals market and allows them to book their purchases at current price points in the hope of making quick profits in future.

The divisibility factor

Divisibility is an essential factor when it comes to investing in precious metals. The logic behind this is quite simple. Assuming that the price point is right, and it meets your objectives, you will want to make a sale.

Owning a large bar of gold (such as 1KG) and silver (1KG) will provide you that one chance and the sale is over. However, owning several gold and silver coins of different dimensions give you multiple opportunities to cash in at different price points in the market.

A question of balance

Divisibility and liquidity are, of course, important aspects of your portfolio. But we need to think ahead. Spreading your investments between gold and silver can provide much-needed balance to your portfolio. The current gold-silver ratio is 72:1, which simply means that silver is 72 times cheaper than gold. Therefore, you can buy large amounts of silver and wait for the price to rise in the future, providing your portfolio with balance and meeting your long-term investment objectives.

Ensuring the safety of your investments

You must be certain that the gold and silver products you are investing in are authentic, high-quality and carry the right price tag. Always buy your precious metals from a reputed online gold dealer. This is the only way that you can be sure about the authenticity and quality of your purchases. Moreover, an online gold dealer will normally ensure that your precious metals are sent to you through an insured delivery service.

Most reputed gold dealers will also provide you with an option for storage. If you select this option, your gold and silver purchases will be stored in a secure, LBMA approved vault. All of these are great reasons why you should buy your gold and silver from a reputed online dealer. Going down this route will also ensure that there is no risk of theft or robbery.

Connecting with a reliable broker

Any investor who is serious about buying gold and silver needs to get connected with a reliable broker. But who is a reliable broker and how can you find one An online broker usually has a far greater variety of bars and coins for sale. But it’s important to ascertain that the business is legitimate and has a transparent and reliable track record.

You can check if the broker is registered with an industry body like the BNTA or LBMA. Also, find out if they offer a guaranteed buyback scheme and check their reputation online. Once you have identified the broker of your choice, the next obvious step would be to discuss your investment objectives with them and draw up a plan.

Gold and silver can be sourced through online precious metals dealers, at auction or from areas specialising in precious metals. Hatton Garden in London features dozens of shops that sell gold and silver bars and coins. However, the choice of coins may be limited. The Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham offers similar services.

Know your gold and silver products

There are a few steps you can take to ensure that the gold and silver products you buy are genuine. Gold bars that contain investment-grade gold will always have a refinery stamp engraved on the face of the bar. It will also carry a number that denotes its purity. So, if the bar contains 24-carat gold with 99.9% purity, the bar will typically have a purity number of 999.9 on its face.

The refiner stamp will also denote the weight of the bar. Similarly, silver bars will also carry this information. When buying gold or silver coins, like the gold Sovereign or the silver Britannia, always ensure that you buy these from a reputed online dealer, who is registered and listed on the website of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA).

How to buy gold and silver in the UK

Turning to gold and silver has been a tried and tested vehicle for investors in the precious metals category. While gold has remained a popular and preferred asset class for most investors, silver has steadily risen in popularity in recent years. Most investors prefer to hold these precious metals in their physical form. So, let’s explore how to buy gold and silver UK-wide.

Once you’ve decided to put your money in the market, it’s important not to get swayed by irrelevant offers. You should always evaluate your purchases by calculating how they can contribute to the balance, liquidity, and divisibility of your portfolio.

Don’t ignore tax considerations, as this will ultimately impact your profits. Remember, if you’re seeking to buy gold and silver as an investment, then it’s best to stick to well-known UK silver and gold coins (such as Britannias). These have the advantage of being Capital Gains Tax free, but also offer flexibility to sell small parts of your holding.

Ensure you get good discounts from your broker and keep buying gold and silver coins and bars with low premiums. If you’re investing in a coin, make sure that it has a strong secondary market.  The Britannia (such as Silver Britannias) and the Sovereign could be your top choices. If you are interested in buying numismatic coins, avoid buying obscure ones and ensure that there is scope to make profits in the long run.

Discuss your gold and silver investments with our experts

Physical Gold, one of the U.K.’s most reputed online gold dealers have an investment advisory team, who can assist you with learning how to buy gold and silver in the UK. Call us on (020) 7060 9992 or drop us an email by visiting our website.

 

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Silver or gold?

One of the keys to great investment is timing and staying ahead of the pack. I receive many enquiries from keen investors asking about the prospects for silver.  Everyone has seen how well gold has performed over the years and many commentators feel that silver has huge upside potential.

I always describe gold as ‘reducing the risk in your life’, while silver is about ‘taking risk’. Obviously with higher risk, comes higher potential reward. Nearly half our customers buy silver, compared to a minority of around 10% a decade ago. These customers feel silver has vast profit potential, so are willing to take the additional risk.

As a purely speculative punt, buying silver may be worth a bet but only as part of a well balanced portfolio. You’d certainly need nerves of steel to put significant funds into silver.  However, dig a little deeper and silver may not live up to being the new gold investment at all.

Here are 7 reasons why buying physical gold is still the best precious metals investment;

1. There is much less research and analysis available on the silver market as it’s  less developed as an investment market. The more research available, the better chance you have of assessing an asset’s prospect
2. If you buy gold there is no VAT to pay on the purchase. However, silver is not VAT exempt so you’re 20% down before you’ve even started
3. The gold market has evolved into a highly competitive and efficient arena. So the bid/offer spread (or difference where a dealer will buy and sell a piece of gold) is relatively tight (perhaps 5-10%). However, with less competition silver spreads can be 3 or 4 times those of gold, so silver needs to rise significantly in price before you break even
4. Silver is less ’precious’ than gold as there’s more of it in existence! The lack of supply and difficulty in extracting gold provides a huge support to its price. If you have an asset who’s supply could increase significantly, the price of that asset is always exposed to a sharp fall
5. Due to silver’s lower price per kilo you will literally get more product for your money than with gold. This means that a £50k gold investment can be shipped cheaply and discreetly whereas the equivalent in silver would be heavy and expensive to deliver
6. Storing silver is also more problematic to gold due to its cheapness. £50k of gold can fit into a tiny safe at home. But £50k of silver needs 70-80 times more space (that’s alot of silver coins!)
7. With the global economy at its most unstable in history, and the expectation of inflation and a huge post-Covid recession – the Safe Haven tag of gold provides one of the most compelling reasons to buy gold. Silver quite simply is not known as the ultimate safe haven so is less relevant as a portfolio insurance in today’s climate.

So if you want exposure to the silver market it may be better seeking a more efficient method such as mining shares or ETCs. If you still seek the comfort of owning the physical metal itself, then buy gold coins or bullion.