1oz Silver Bar

A 1 oz silver bar is the smallest standard silver bar most US dealers stock in volume. It holds one troy ounce of .999 fine silver and is a simple way to start buying silver or to add to a stack in small steps. This page compares live offers from US dealers for a standard 1 oz bar, so you can see who sells closest to the silver price.

What is a 1 oz silver bar?

A 1 oz bar is a minted or poured piece of silver with a stamped weight and fineness. The offers on this page are standard bullion bars, often listed as “generic” or “various brands”, which means the dealer chooses the refiner. Typical brands include APMEX, JBR, Sunshine Mint and other well known US refiners.

• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.1 g)
• Fineness: .999 fine silver (see fineness)
• Form: usually a minted bar, sometimes poured
• Packaging: often sealed in plastic, sometimes with an assay card

Who is a 1 oz silver bar for?

Is a single ounce worth buying when bigger bars are cheaper per ounce? For many buyers, yes:

• New buyers who want to test the process of buying, shipping and storing silver with a small order.
• Regular savers who buy a few ounces every month instead of one large purchase.
• Buyers who plan to sell in small amounts, since a single ounce is easy to sell or trade.
• Gift buyers, though themed and colorized bars cost more and are not part of this comparison.

What to check before you buy

How much are you paying above the silver itself? Small bars carry a higher premium over spot than a 10oz silver bar or a 100oz silver bar, because minting and handling cost about the same whatever the size. Compare the offers with the silver price chart and keep these points in mind:

• Price breaks: many dealers lower the price per bar for orders of 20, 50 or 100 bars.
• Payment method: a bank wire or check is often cheaper than a card or PayPal.
• Shipping: free shipping usually starts above a minimum order, which matters a lot for small orders.
• Brand: “dealer’s choice” bars are the cheapest; a named refiner can add a small premium but may be easier to resell.
• Authenticity: buy from established dealers and check weight and dimensions if you buy from a private seller.

Taxes on silver bars in the US

Sales tax on silver depends on your state. Many states exempt bullion, some only above a set order size, and a few tax it in full. See our page on precious metals sales tax for the basics. When you sell, the IRS treats bullion as a collectible, so long term gains can be taxed at a higher rate than stocks. Bars of .999 silver from an approved refiner can usually be held in a precious metals IRA, but the bars must be stored by an approved depository, so ask your custodian first.

1 oz silver bar vs. 1 oz silver coin

• Bar: usually the lowest premium for a single ounce, simple design, no face value.
• Coin: government issued coins such as the American Silver Eagle have a face value and wide recognition, but cost more per ounce.
• Larger bars: if cost per ounce matters most, look at silver bars of 10 oz and up.

Planning where to keep your silver? Our guide to gold and silver storage covers home safes and depositories. You can also browse all 1 ounce silver bars.