Silver Coins
What to consider when buying silver coins?
When buying silver coins, it is important to choose well-known and successful silver coins, as they can be easily resold. Some examples of well-known coins are the Silver Philharmonic, the Silver Maple Leaf, and the Silver Eagle.
The price of silver coins is often higher than that of silver bars of the same weight due to the additional minting costs.
However, silver bars are subject to value-added tax, which varies from country to country, while many silver coins are taxed differently.
Some silver coins are produced in limited editions and can develop a collector value that exceeds the metal value.
New designs are created annually for some coin series, such as the Lunar coin series.
What denominations are available?
The standard unit for silver coins is the troy ounce, abbreviated as "oz." The most common denominations for silver coins are ¼ ounce, ½ ounce, 1 ounce, 5 ounces, 10 ounces, 1 kg and 5 kg. The price premium is lower for larger silver coins. The troy ounce provides the benchmark for precious metals and describes the metal content of a coin.
| Ounce | 1/2 ounce | 1 ounce | 5 ounces | 10 ounces | 32.15 ounces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gramm | 15.55 g | 31.10 g | 155.5 g | 311 g | 1 kg |
| Ounce | Gramm |
|---|---|
| 1/2 ounce | 15.55 g |
| 1 ounce | 31.10 g |
| 5 ounces | 155.5 g |
| 10 ounces | 311 g |
| 32.15 ounces | 1 kg |
Fineness of a silver coin
The fineness refers to the pure precious metal content of a silver or gold product. This has been expressed in parts per thousand since 1888. Previously, the terms "lot" or "carat" were more common. Silver coins usually have a fine content of 999, which is equivalent to 16 lots. The 925 silver is also often referred to as sterling silver and is one of the most important silver alloys, as it is often used for coins, jewelry, and cutlery.
Why should you trust silver coins?
Silver, like gold, is not available in unlimited supply because it cannot be produced artificially. In comparison to gold, the natural occurrence of silver is much higher, which is why the precious metal is more commonly used in industry. Due to the low price of silver, it is hardly recycled by industrial companies. In the private investment sector, it is quite easy and quick to invest in silver due to the low price.
In times of crisis, it is much easier to pay with silver coins than with silver bars or gold. Therefore, it is possible to make purchases for daily use with a silver coin. In addition, many silver coins are considered official currency and the value of the coin can never be zero, because it can never be worth less than the price of the precious metal.
How is the value of a silver coin determined?
The more common occurrence of silver compared to gold makes the precious metal cheaper. The fineness and weight of the coin are essential for calculating its value. In addition, the condition, quality of minting, and the packaging of the silver coin are relevant in determining its price.
Overall, the condition of the coin should be considered, as dirt or damage can reduce its value. Silver coins are produced in the quality levels of bank-grade, hand-raised, or polished plate quality grades. If a coin has collector value, the value can increase significantly in relation to the original price paid. In addition, coins with smaller mintages or from older years are more expensive than those minted in massive quantities.
Things to know about silver coins
What did the first coins look like? Where did the coin originate? We go on a journey to the beginnings, high points and turning points of this history, to Greek antiquity, the Frankish Empire and the Roman Empire.
The Denarius
Silver coinage became popular in Rome in the 3rd century BC with the denarius, on which Julius Caesar also had his full head profile minted. This silver coin was used as currency for almost 600 years and was replaced by the silver Antoninianus in the early 3rd century. Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, new coin denominations were introduced, such as the silver Argentus and the silver Nummus.
Charlemagne
The king of the Frankish Empire, Charlemagne, carried out a coinage reform in 702, which led to a single silver currency. The reason for the change from gold to silver was the difficulty of procuring gold, as it had to be obtained exclusively through long-distance trade, while silver was available in Europe. The coin reform abolished the gold standard and introduced the silver denarius (12 denarii = one shilling) as the binding currency. The Anglo-Saxon king Offa of Mercia also introduced this regulation, which remained in England until 1971.
The end of the silver currency
During the period of the Holy Roman Empire, the rights of the royal mint were extended, many different types of pennies were produced, and the silver content of coins decreased. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, silver bracteates were the predominant type of coins minted throughout the German-speaking world.
The gold coinage
Beginning in the 13th century, the French and English increasingly favored gold coins. As a result, coins became larger and therefore Germany also had to increase the size of the so-called groschen. The Mint Association, which was a coalition of the prince-bishops of Trier and Cologne founded in 1372, had the gold gulden and the common white penny minted with a fixed fineness.