Most people think of gold when considering an investment in precious metals. Silver is many times called 'poor man's gold.' In recent months, however, gold is taking a backseat to silver. Let’s examine some of the reasons.
It Takes Less Money To Buy An Ounce Of Silver
The cost of an ounce of silver today is just $34. This makes purchasing silver more affordable to the average person. Compare that to $1,400 to buy just one ounce of gold.
Silver Is Superior As A Means Of Barter
Many people that are purchasing precious metals today are doing so as insurance against the collapse of the dollar. The idea is that they could use silver or gold in place of paper money. Silver is really the most appropriate metal to serve as a replacement for our paper currency. Since it is denominated in small amounts, it would be perfect for everyday transactions. Gold, on the other hand, would be much more cumbersome to use in this manner.
Silver Is Currently Hotter Than Gold
Silver has doubled in price in the last one year, while gold has gained 25%. I am not going to complain about a 25% one year return, but clearly Silver is on a much more aggressive incline than gold.
How To Invest In Silver
U.S. Silver Coins
One of the easiest ways to invest in silver is by purchasing select U.S. coins. Here is an excellent article on the silver value of U.S. coins. Just as an example, mercury dimes minted between 1916 and 1945 contain a silver metal value of about $2.50. Many financial survivalists believe that accumulating silver dimes is one of the very best ways to invest in silver. Many websites now make available bulk purchase of silver dimes in the form of bags. Silver quarters minted between 1932 and 1964 have a metal value of about $6.25. Another popular option are silver dollars and half dollars.
Do not go down the road of buying silver coins based on their collectible value (aka numismatic value). I would purchase strictly on the value of the silver content. Also, be sure to comparison shop as prices will vary widely from dealer to dealer.
Silver Bars
Sites like APMEX provide an easy way to buy silver in one ounce bars online. If you live near a major city, you should be able to find a local precious metals dealer that offers silver bars for sale. Of course, taking physical possession of silver does raise the question about storage. You will likely need to open up a safe deposit box at your bank or invest in a safe.
Silver Exchange Traded Funds (also called ETF's)
If you don’t want to bother with taking physical possession of silver, you can invest in any number of funds that track the price of silver. My favorite is iShares Silver Trust (SLV). This is an excellent fund that can be purchased anywhere you can buy stocks. This type of fund also makes it easy to own silver in your IRA account.
In these times of uncertainty, owning some amount of precious metals makes a lot of sense. If you would like to discuss your investment situation with me personally, please consider an appointment through Christian Financial Planner.US.
Helping you make the most of God’s money!
James L. Paris
Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com
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*** Always consult an adviser before making any investments. This article is for information purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or investments.
Jim, I like this information; gold is comparative simple to get and it appears to be like a great financial commitment.
Posted by: home insulation | April 18, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Jim, I like this information; silver is relative easy to get and it sounds like a good investment.
Posted by: Mario Taborda | March 15, 2011 at 04:20 PM