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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Read our Insiders Guide to tax free silver investment here

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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.

The American Silver Eagle is one of the most prestigious coins to be minted in the US. The coin is a relatively new one, having been released in 1986. This makes the first edition of the coin only a year older than the gold Britannia. The US Mint released the silver Eagle with one Troy ounce of silver that has a purity of 999.9. The coin was released with a face value of one dollar.

Interestingly, ever since the American silver Eagle has been released, the designs have never changed. Unlike the silver Britannia, the coin is presented in the same style, look and feel and the only difference from one coin to the other is the respective mint mark, which is found on the reverse of the proof coins. Well, the coin enjoys healthy interest from investors, and we want to find out whether the silver Eagle is worth its salt as an investable coin.

Divisibility and liquidity

In terms of divisibility, the silver Eagle does not offer much choice. As discussed above, the coin has always been available in the same size, shape, and design. However, there are some variations in its design that can add to the variety of an investor’s silver portfolio. The obverse of the coin features an image of Lady Liberty, created by the designer Adolph A. Weinman. Apart from the famous image of Lady Liberty, the obverse of the coin also features the American national motto – “In God we trust”.

Design options

The reverse of the coin carries the image of the Heraldic Eagle. Right above the head of the bald eagle, there is a cluster of 13 stars, each of which represents one of the original colonies of America, at the time of its founding. The only design change for the American Silver Eagle was in 2021. In the new 2021 design, the bald eagle on the reverse of the coin is featured flying back with its wings spread out. So, this is perhaps the only element of variety that an investor can hope for when investing in the American Eagle. The 2021 design commemorates the 35^th anniversary of the coin, and the US Mint has taken this opportunity to refurbish the design of the coin.

Liquidity

The American Silver Eagle is a famous and well-known coin across the world. This ensures the liquidity of the coin and the coin can be easily cashed in at any point in time, bringing in cash as you need it. Previous editions may command a premium due to increased numismatic interest. American Eagle coins are available in uncirculated, proof, and burnished versions, giving a certain amount of choice to investors. Being a well-known coin, the coin has a good chance of being sold for its value in a short period.

Silver Eagles can provide a good medium to long term investment and balance to other assets. The 1oz coins afford high flexibility to sell small parts of the silver holding compared to owning huge silver bars. The mass-produced coins are relatively cheap compared to collectors’ coins and their value can rise along with the underlying silver price and age of the coin. Many analysts feel the silver price is very undervalued, suggesting holding silver Eagles will benefit the investor in the long run.

Talk to the coin experts at Physical Gold

One of the country’s most reputed and well-known precious metal dealers is Physical Gold. Our advisors are always happy to discuss your silver coin purchases with you and can offer valuable advice. Get in touch with us on (020) 7060 9992 or simply drop us an email by visiting our website.

 

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What is colloidal silver?

Although the name may lead people into thinking that colloidal silver is a certain type of physical silver, in reality, it is quite different from a silver bar or coin. When tiny silver particles are suspended in a liquid, the suspension is known as colloidal silver. The size of these particles is so minuscule that they cannot be removed from the liquid by standard laboratory filtration processes. Many of the particles are invisible to the human eye and could be classified as nano-particles. Colloidal silver has been popular as an alternative therapy for many common human ailments over the years.

Colloidal silver’s uses in medicine

Colloidal silver can be used to treat viral infections that antibiotics cannot such as bronchitis or pneumonia. It can relieve sufferers of airborne allergies when used as a nasal spray. Most commonly, it is used as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral, with it even helping fight the HIV and hepatitis viruses. Its antibacterial qualities help fight antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

How does it work?

Colloidal Silver can be ingested orally as a dietary supplement. Alternatively, it can also be applied to the skin. This remedy has been around for centuries, long before the discovery of antibiotics. Some doctors and scientists believe that colloidal silver is a placebo, and doesn’t really work as a remedy for any illness.

However, some research that has been conducted, appears to indicate that colloidal silver can attach itself to the proteins present on the cell walls of bacteria. This causes damage to the cell membrane of the bacteria, allowing the silver ions to enter the cell and destabilise the bacteria’s metabolic processes, and destroy it. More silver ions are released through suspensions that have a larger number of small particles.

Where is colloidal silver used?

Due to its ability to destroy a wide range of bacteria, colloidal silver was an antibacterial remedy in vogue long before the discovery of antibiotics in western medicine. Today, it is used in several medicinal products like dressings and creams for wounds. However, there are certain risks associated with the ingestion of colloidal silver. Due to this, pharmaceutical companies do not include colloidal silver as an ingredient in oral medications.

What are the risks of consuming colloidal silver?

Human beings are usually exposed to minute amounts of silver daily through drinking water and the environment. However, continuous exposure to silver can be hazardous to human health. Medical scientists have ascertained that the most common risk associated with frequent exposure to colloidal silver is a condition known as Argyria. The silver particles found in colloidal silver can deposit themselves in our vital organs and skin. These deposits can turn the pallor of human skin into a greyish blue colour. The condition is often developed by people who are frequently exposed to large amounts of silver, either through their job or through the ingestion of certain dietary supplements. So, colloidal silver needs to be used judiciously for external use.

Talk to the silver experts at Physical Gold

At Physical Gold, our silver experts are always ready to answer your questions about any kind of silver. We have a wide range of precious metal investment options. Our team is best placed to discuss your silver requirements and advise you on the best products to buy. Call us today on (020) 7060 9992, or get in touch with us online via our website.

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Silver and gold are both precious metals that are attractive to most investors. Many investors are keen to strike a balance between the two precious metals in their portfolio. To do that, one must understand the differences in the way these precious metals behave.

Setting your objectives

The initial step in deciding whether to buy silver or gold depends upon your investment objectives. Gold has always been perceived as a repository of value. Gold investments can offset the investment risks that your portfolio is exposed to. So, if your investment objectives are to build wealth and remove risk, gold can be the right choice for you. However, silver investments are more volatile, but the profit potential is great. So, if your objective is to make significant profits in the long run, silver is an excellent choice for you as an investor.

Profit potential

Over the last year, as the global pandemic engulfed the world, investors rapidly moved their money to gold. This was an expected development since gold is generally perceived as a safe haven for most investors. As a result of the large demand for gold, the price of the precious metal shot up to its highest levels. Currently, the spot price of gold is US$1,736 per ounce. However, in August 2020, gold prices breached the US$2,000 mark to reach its highest ever level of US$2,067 on 7^th August 2020. Investors who had invested their money in gold with a five-year horizon had the opportunity to make great returns when selling.

A year in turmoil

2020 was an interesting year for other precious metals as well. Due to the high demand for gold, the gold-silver price ratio widened to an all-time high above 150:1 in March 2020, when gold reached its peak. However, the ratio has now fallen to 66:1. The current spot price of silver is US$26 per ounce. This is a significant rise from March 2019, when silver was trading at USD $15 per ounce. However, the industrial demand for silver continues to rise, in the face of dwindling supplies. This has led to speculation amongst investors that eventually the price of silver is likely to skyrocket, providing an excellent opportunity for profits.

Divisibility

Silver has in recent times between around 75 times cheaper than gold so is ideal for those with modest investment funds. Silver Britannia coins cost around £20 each so a silver portfolio can comprise of many coins offering increased divisibility over gold where you may only have one item. Due to its low price and vast uses in technology, there are numerous advantages of silver when compared to gold.

Affordability

Silver offers investors the opportunity to enter the precious metals market at a low price point. However, the production costs of silver bars and coins are proportionally higher when compared to gold. If you consider the value of a gold bar, its production price becomes negligible. This is not the case with a silver bar. But, due to lower prices, silver offers investors a great chance to lock in prices and reap profits in the long run.

Tax efficiency

All investment-grade gold is VAT free and Capital Gains Tax exempt in the UK. Therefore, gold can be a better investment from a tax standpoint. Buying physical silver will add 20% to the overall price of the purchase due to VAT. Despite this, many investors find Silver attractive, due to the lower capital investment.

Discuss your silver and gold investments with the experts at Physical Gold

Our precious metal experts offer you free advice on investing your money into gold or silver. Our in-depth research of the precious metal markets enables us to offer you the right advice when it comes to making investments. Call us today on (020) 7060 9992 or reach out to us online through our website.

 

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