Uncovering the Best Silver Coins for Purchase

Ensuring financial stability by branching out into gold and silver coin and bar investments is a sterling strategy for safeguarding fiscal well-being. The prospects that silver coins present to investors are genuinely remarkable. Whether you aim to procure a handful of silver coins or to augment your accumulation, you're exercising sound judgment.

If you've begun the hunt, likely, you've already discerned the vast selection of silver coins on offer. Numerous state mints produce silver coins; many private mints also craft unique silver coins. Determining which coins should form part of your investment is a challenging task.

Precisely for that reason, we're at your disposal today. We'll provide further insights about the premier silver coins, aiding you in discerning which ones to incorporate into your investment portfolio. If you want to purchase silver coins for private investment or include some in a Silver IRA, you'll discover an array of impressive choices in the forthcoming segments.

Unveiling the 'Why' of Investing in Silver Coins

Before delving into which silver coins make the finest investment choice, let's pause briefly to touch upon some key reasons that make silver coin investments an intelligent move.

Acquisition and Effortless Liquidity

Silver coins offer a remarkably straightforward buying process. It is relatively easy to locate a buyer when it comes to selling. When weighed against other investment avenues like real estate, it becomes apparent that silver investment can be a more secure and less stressful alternative.

Coins Transform into Collectibles

When contrasted with silver bars, a silver coin's worth can surpass the spot price of silver. The uniqueness of coin designs, scarcity, and other aspects can render them collectable. You could receive a higher return than your initial investment when liquidating your silver coins.

Contributes to Portfolio Diversification

If you have most or almost all of your funds invested in the stock market, introducing some silver coins to your portfolio is prudent. Being entirely invested in the stock market makes you susceptible to market slumps and crashes. Conversely, if part of your wealth is tied up in precious metals like silver coins, these market downturns won't affect your overall financial health as much.

Requires No Maintenance

Since silver coins are stored correctly, you can rest easy about maintenance or upkeep. This contrasts starkly with real estate, which demands consistent care.

Remains Immune to Deterioration or Price Depreciation with Age

Again, unlike real estate, there's no need to fret over your silver coins decaying with time. Despite frequent maintenance, real estate properties inevitably reveal their age. As they grow older, they demand more of your time and resources to keep them in rentable condition. This issue doesn't arise with silver coins. They'll maintain their impeccable condition if they're stowed in a secure place like a safety deposit box or vault.

Seamless Passage to Future Generations

Handing down your silver coins to your successors or family members is far from a complex task. You can distribute them gradually or specify in your will how you wish them to be apportioned after your departure. This approach is much more straightforward and eliminates potential headaches your heirs might face trying to sell properties and divide the resulting funds.

Best Silver Coins for Investors

Let's take a look at the best silver coins for investors. Here are some top picks that would make a great addition to your portfolio.

American Silver Eagle Coin

Among the most sought-after silver coins is the American Silver Eagle Coin. The United States Mint manufactures these silver tokens and, as a result, comes with a seal of assurance from the United States government regarding their content, weight, and purity levels. American Silver Eagle coins are 1-ounce coins with a satisfactory purity level of .999. They carry a face value of $1, although their worth exceeds this.

The inaugural American Eagle Coins saw the light of day in 1986. Although the coin's obverse, or front, design remained unchanged since its inception nearly 40 years ago, featuring Lady Liberty, the reverse design recently underwent a revamp to mark its 35th anniversary. The reverse showcases an eagle bearing an oak branch in its talons to complete its nest.

Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coin

The Royal Canadian Mint is among the most reliable and esteemed government mints. Their gold and silver coins are in a league, featuring exceptional images and lofty purity levels. The Canadian Maple Leaf is their flagship coin, widely recognized and highly desired. This 1-ounce coin has an acceptable purity level of .999 and a face value of 5 Canadian dollars.

The coin's reverse flaunts the emblematic Canadian Maple Leaf design, while the obverse portrays an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II of England.

Austrian Silver Philharmonic Coin

Austrian Silver Philharmonic coins, also known colloquially as silver Phils, carry a design on their obverse representing the Musikverein, the celebrated Vienna Philharmonic concert hall. In line with the concert hall theme, the coin's reverse showcases a cello, four violins, a bassoon, a French horn, and a harp.

This 1-ounce coin, made of .999 fine silver, carries a face value of 1.50 Euros. The inaugural Austrian Philharmonic coin was minted back in 2008.

Australian Silver Kangaroo Coin

Since its inception in 1993, the Perth Mint initiated the Austrian Silver Kangaroo collection. These tokens continue to fascinate investors as they feature an iconic representation of Australia: the Red Kangaroo. The depiction of the kangaroo on the coin is aesthetically pleasing, as it's seen leaping against a radiant starburst background.

The Australian Kangaroo Silver tokens carry a denomination of 1 Australian dollar. With an impressive silver purity of .9999 fine silver, they stand among the premium silver coins globally and promise to enhance the diversity and appeal of any investment portfolio.

Chinese Silver Panda Coin

An appealing alternative to ponder upon is the Chinese Silver Panda coins—crafted with .999 pure silver, weight 30 grams, slightly below 1 ounce. One distinctive aspect of the Chinese Silver Panda coin is the annually transforming reverse image.

While the enduring image of Beijing's Temple of Heaven stands unaltered on the obverse, a unique panda illustration adorns the reverse each year. This intriguing feature renders these coins ideal for collectors, especially given that only a limited quantity is struck annually.

Silver Britannia Coin from Britain

The UK's Royal Mint-created Silver Britannia Coin also enjoys a considerable following among investors. This .999 fine silver coin, with a weight of 1 ounce, has been manufactured since 1987. A depiction of Queen Elizabeth II graces the coin's obverse, whereas a standing Britannia aboard a horse-drawn chariot embellishes the reverse.

Silver Krugerrands from South Africa

With over half a century of production, Gold Krugerrands from South Africa rank among the most favoured gold coins. In a recent development in 2018, the South African Mint introduced the inaugural Silver South African Krugerrand.

The obverse of these coins displays Paul Kruger, the South African Republic's President from 1883 to 1902. The national emblem of South Africa, the springbok, is beautifully depicted on the coin's reverse.

Silver Libertad Coin from Mexico

Offering a range of size variants, the Mexican Libertad coin can serve as an excellent inclusion to any investment portfolio, irrespective of budget constraints. Some available size options are 1/10-ounce, ¼-ounce, ½-ounce, and 1-ounce coins.

The inaugural Mexican Silver Libertad coin came into existence in 1982. The coin's obverse boasts Mexico's national emblem, featuring a golden eagle consuming a rattlesnake while resting atop a prickly pear cactus. The reverse design unveils the Independence Victoria Angel with wings spread out, set against Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl, two eminent volcanoes.

Morgan Silver Dollars

Morgan Silver Dollars are significant among the top choices for coin investors. These cherished coins were minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, making each over a century old. Even though the coins are composed of only 90% silver, this doesn't prevent them from fetching a price slightly above the silver spot rate. Moreover, some Morgan Silver Dollars may even command a value significantly higher than the spot price.

Nonetheless, remember that Morgan Silver Dollars can't be included in a retirement portfolio due to a purity grade of less than 99.9% silver.

Peace Silver Dollars

After the cessation of Morgan Silver Dollars production, the United States Mint switched to creating Peace Silver Dollars. These coins, circulated from 1921 to 1928 and then from 1934 to 1935, commemorate the United States' triumphant role in World War I. During the initial year of their minting, a high-relief design was employed. However, the relief was reduced to curtail the coins' excessive wear.

The obverse of a Peace Silver Dollar displays Lady Liberty donning a stunning crown, with her hair gracefully cascading behind her. The reverse image portrays a bald eagle atop a mountain, with an olive branch resting beneath the eagle's talons.

Walking Liberty Half Dollars

Walking Liberty coins, minted between 1916 and 1947, are affectionately known as "Walkers" amongst coin enthusiasts and collectors. These coins feature a Walking Liberty design on the obverse, complemented by a bald eagle on the reverse.

Certain Walking Liberty Coins hold a value that surpasses the gold spot price. Those minted before 1933 are pretty elusive, thus fetching an impressive amount. Conversely, coins minted post-1933 are easier to come across. Despite this, they still hold substantial worth and typically trade around the silver spot price.

Silver Dimes

Silver Dimes could be a notable addition to your investment portfolio. Minted until 1965 by the United States Mint, these coins contain 90% silver. Often, you'll hear silver dimes labelled as "junk silver," which merely means that the dimes' worth stems purely from their silver content.

Three distinct silver dimes could come your way: Barber, Mercury, and Roosevelt. These monikers correspond to the varying designs applied to the dimes during their respective minting eras.

• Barber Silver Dimes: Struck from 1892 until 1916

• Mercury Silver Dimes: Produced from 1916 through 1945

• Roosevelt Silver Dimes: Forged from 1946 up until 1964

It's noteworthy that the design of Roosevelt Silver Dimes mirrors that of the dimes minted by the US Mint today. However, post-1964, silver ceased to be the minting material for these coins.

Key Points to Evaluate When Acquiring Silver Coins

Before splurging on silver coins, peruse the following sections. We've highlighted crucial aspects to consider when seeking out silver coins. These insights will assist in making well-informed decisions.

Purity Level

When delving into silver coins, their purity level should be at the forefront of your considerations. This not only affects their current worth and their reselling potential, but it is also vital when acquiring coins for a silver IRA.

IRS guidelines stipulate that for inclusion in a retirement account, silver coins must boast a purity level of at least 99.9%. Thus, some antique silver coins like the Morgan Silver Dollar or Peace Silver Dollar aren't suitable for a Silver IRA as they're only 90% silver (with copper making up the remaining 10%).

A majority of freshly minted silver coins from global mints meet the IRS's purity criteria, hence suitable for a Silver IRA. Still, it's prudent to verify before committing to a purchase.

Mint Origin

The mint that produced the coins is another vital factor. Numerous government and private mints provide silver coins, so remember your preferences while browsing. Always verify the mint's reputation before making a decision.

Design Aspect

Lastly, the design of silver coins could be a point of consideration, depending on your investment motives. While methods may not influence the coin's future value, specific aesthetics might be more attractive. After all, it's your investment, and choosing a design that resonates with you makes the purchase even more rewarding.

Final Thoughts

With many choices for acquiring silver coins, this article is a helpful resource in identifying the ideal silver coins for your personal or retirement collection. Which silver coins have piqued your interest?