The Do’s and Don’ts 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.

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.

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.

Read our Insiders Guide to tax free silver investment here

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons and Pixabay