Silver Bars

Most silver investors turn to bars compared to coins when they are looking to acquire the most silver ounces for their money. Like silver rounds, silver bars rarely carry any collectible value and their price is highly dependent on the silver content within.

Silver Bar Sizes

Silver bars come in nearly any size. Most retail silver collectors favor 1 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, or 100 oz bars. Industrial users typically favor the 1000 oz Comex bars. The premium over spot is usually the smallest when ordering bars of larger size. However, a large quantity order of a smaller bar size can offset the premium.

For investors who want the best economic stability and utility, silver ingots may be a great choice. These smaller silver bars come in various ounces of high-quality silver. For the purest and most affordable silver ingot option, look for 99% fine silver without any commemorative labeling, as this can lower the value. Silver ingots are perfect for dividing, transporting, and utilizing as currency should the economy enter a crisis.

National Mint Silver Bars versus Private Mint

One of the most commonly asked questions is which silver bar you should buy. In addition to the size of the bar having an impact on premium, the mint may affect a bar’s pricing slightly. The more recognizable the silver mint, the more likely you will receive top dollar when it is time to sell your silver bullion bar.

A bar from national mint, such as the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM), will have a higher premium when buying, but typically will receive a higher buy back premium when you sell your silver bar. Similarly, a bar from a highly recognizable private mint may sell for a slightly higher premium than a smaller less recognizable mint. Buyback prices for bars can be found online on the Q & A page. Silver bars for sale from highly recognizable mints include:

• Royal Canadian Mint
• Sunshine
• OPM Metals
• A-Mark
• Johnson Matthey

However, this information is mostly relevant only for the professional trader and investor. Since bars are mostly traded for their silver content within, the difference between a highly recognizable silver mint versus a smaller, less recognizable silver mint is typically only a few cents. For most private investors, the important factor that influences the silver bars’ price remains the purity and the weight of the bar.