Category: Silver Coins

Silver coins are investment-grade coins made from between 90% to 99.9% pure silver. They’re usually manufactured by government or sovereign mints but can also be produced by private refineries. Silver coins produced by government mints are considered legal tender in their country of origin, but often have intrinsic and numismatic value that makes them worth much more than their face value. 

Before you buy silver coins, keep reading to understand the benefits of investing in silver and the most popular silver coins to buy today. 

Why buy silver coins?

The two most popular ways to invest in silver as a precious metal is buying silver coins or silver bullion bars. So why should you choose coins?

Let’s look at some specific reasons why you might want to choose silver coins for your investment: 

• Available in various denominations: Silver coins come in a range of weights and sizes, from 1/10 ounce up to 2 ounces, making them suitable for investors of all budgets. 
• Liquidity: Because they’re available in smaller sizes, silver coins are more liquid than silver bars, allowing you to easily sell off small amounts when needed. 
• Added numismatic value: Some silver bullion coins, especially rare, historical or collectible coins, have added numismatic value that makes them more valuable than their intrinsic silver content. 
• Aesthetic appeal: Silver coins are released in various designs that show intricate craftsmanship and add to their collectible nature. Each mint produces silver coins with different designs, and these designs often change each year. This provides an added aesthetic appeal that you don’t get with silver bars. 

Benefits of investing in silver

Buying silver coins allows you to benefit from the numerous advantages of investing in silver. Many people focus on gold as a valuable precious metal, but silver offers just as many benefits, including: 

• Tangibility: Silver is a physical metal that you can hold in your hand, offering a sense of tangibility that doesn’t exist with traditional investments such as stocks and bonds. As a tangible asset, silver carries no counterparty risk and provides greater security and access. 
• Affordability: People who invest in silver can enjoy many of the same benefits as investing in gold, but at a much more affordable price. This makes silver an accessible entry point for those who want to invest in precious metals with a smaller budget.
• Inflation hedge: Silver has historically been seen as a hedge against inflation. It tends to move in opposition to other assets, such as currency or stocks. This means it can retain its value, and even increase in value, during periods when other assets are devalued. 
• Industrial use: Many industries, such as electronics and medical devices, rely on silver to produce their technologies. Its industrial applications will likely increase, driving up demand that increases its value.
• Scarcity: There is a limited amount of silver on this planet, and its scarcity adds to its value. With a limited supply and high demand, silver is a savvy investment that cannot be produced at will – unlike currencies.  
• Undervalued: Those who study the gold/silver ratio will know that its current levels show that silver is undervalued compared to gold. This means that now is an ideal time to purchase silver. 
• Potential for higher gains: While the silver market is relatively volatile, it has the potential to produce higher gains than the gold market. 
• Diversification: Investors who add silver to their portfolio can diversify against traditional asset classes, such as stocks and bonds, helping reduce overall risk. 

To make the most of your silver investment, use Metals Radar’s comparison engine to search for the lowest silver prices from the best precious metals dealers on the market. 

Best silver coins to buy

When investing in silver coins, it’s best to choose those that are globally recognized and produced by well-known and trusted mints. This ensures authenticity, purity, and value, and makes it easier to resell your coins when the time comes. 

To help you make the best choice, we look at the most popular silver coins below. Each of these make excellent investments. 

American Silver Eagle

Mint: The United States Mint

Weight: 1 oz

Purity: 999

Diameter: 40.6mm

Thickness: 2.98mm

Face value: 1 USD

American Silver Eagles are the signature bullion coin of the United States Mint and one of the few silver coins guaranteed by the US government for weight, content, and purity. This makes them a safe and sound investment. 

The coin is recognized worldwide for its eagle design on the reverse and depiction of Lady Liberty on the obverse. 1 oz American Silver Eagle coins have been increasingly popular in recent years, particularly amongst Asian markets, making them an excellent choice for those who want to invest in silver coins. 

Silver Canadian Maple Leaf

Mint: Royal Canadian Mint

Weight: 1 oz

Purity: 999.9

Diameter: 38mm

Thickness: 3.15mm

Face value: 5 CAD

The Silver Canadian Maple Leaf is the purest silver coin produced by a sovereign mint and the second-most popular silver investment coin after the American Eagle. The coin is universally recognized and carries the same design as the Gold Maple Leaf and Platinum Maple Leaf, with a portrait of King Charles III on the obverse (older coins feature the late Queen Elizabeth II) and the iconic maple leaf on the reverse. 

Silver Maple Leaf coins come with anti-counterfeiting security features. Depending on the actual coin and year of release, these might include radial lines, MintShield surface protectant, or a laser micro-engraved textured maple leaf. Altogether, the coin’s high purity, widespread recognition, and security features make it a top choice for silver investment. 

Vienna Silver Philharmonic

Mint: Austrian Mint

Weight: 1 oz

Purity: 99.9

Diameter: 37mm

Thickness: 3.2mm

Face value: 1.5 EUR

The Silver Vienna Philharmonic is the silver counterpart to the highly regarded Gold Vienna Philharmonic coins. The silver coin is just as popular as the gold coins and largely considered to be Europe’s most recognized silver bullion coin. Silver Vienna Philharmonic coins feature the same iconic design of the Golden Hall on the obverse and various musical instruments of the Vienna philharmonic orchestra on the reverse. If you’re looking for a coin with widespread recognition and high liquidity, the Silver Vienna Philharmonic makes an excellent choice. 

Silver Krugerrand

Mint: Rand Refinery (South Africa)

Weight: 1 oz 

Purity: 999

Diameter: 38.7mm

Thickness: 3mm

Face value: 1 Rand

Silver Krugerrands are the counterpart to the infamous Gold Krugerrand, which was the world’s first gold bullion coin. The coins were first released on the Gold Krugerrand’s 50th anniversary and carry the same design, giving them instant global recognition. The Silver Krugerrand design features a portrait of its namesake, Paul Kruger, on the obverse, and the springbok antelope on the reverse. Silver Krugerrands are an excellent investment coin for anyone who values liquidity, universal recognition, and cost-effectiveness. 

Silver Britannia

Mint: The Royal Mint (UK)

Weight: 1 oz

Purity: 999.9 

Diameter: 38.61mm

Thickness: 3mm

Face value: 2 GBP

The Silver Britannia is Europe’s first silver bullion coin, originally minted with 958 pure silver. Since 2013, Silver Britannias have been manufactured from 999.9 fine silver, following in the Silver Maple Leaf’s footsteps to be the purest silver coins produced by a government mint. 

Silver Britannia Coins feature the same designs as the Gold and Platinum Britannia bullion coins, with a portrait of King Charles III on the obverse (old designs feature the late Queen Elizabeth II) and a depiction of Britannia on the reverse. These coins make an excellent investment choice for those looking for a silver coin with advanced security features, high recognizability, and high purity. 

Australian Silver Kangaroo

Mint: The Perth Mint (Australia)

Weight: 1 oz

Purity: 999.9

Diameter: 40.6mm

Thickness: 3.255mm

Face value: 1 AUD

The Australian Silver Kangaroo is manufactured by the one of the world’s most renowned mints, the Perth Mint. As one of the highest-purity silver bullion coins, the Australian Silver Kangaroo is popular amongst investors. Its design features an image of a kangaroo on the reverse and a portrait of King Charles III on the obverse (older coins feature the late Queen Elizabeth II). 

Coins produced from 2018 also feature unique authentication details that help protect against counterfeiting. The Australian Silver Coin is an ideal investment for those seeking high purity, advanced security, and a bullion coin made by a prestigious mint. 

Buy silver coins in the United States, USA

Investing in silver coins is a timeless way to safeguard your wealth, diversify your portfolio, and hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. In our opinion, there’s no better way to invest in this precious metal than with collectible coins that feature intricate designs and remarkable craftsmanship. It’s not just an investment, it’s an artform!

If you’re ready to start investing in silver coins, Metals Radar can help you make the most of your money. Our comparison tool searches the best precious metals dealers on the market to find you the lowest silver prices on silver coins and bars. Because if you can’t tell the difference, why should you pay more?