What Is Silver Bullion?

For millennia, consumers have sought out Silver for its applications in goods and technical commodities. But did you know that the lustrous Precious Metal can provide investors a stake in the marketplace that transcends fads?

Navigating the Silver bullion marketplace can be confusing for new investors. To demystify the process, check out a breakdown of the basics below.

Bullion is the bulk form of a Precious Metal. Investors frequently seek out metal in this form because it boasts a high degree of elemental purity. It is frequently purchased as a hedge against market inflation.

What Affects Silver Bullion’s Price?

Silver Bullion Purity

The purity of a bullion piece is called “fineness.” The most common investment-grade Silver fineness ranges from .999 (or 99.9%) to .9999 (or 99.99%). However, some coins, such as “Junk Silver,” are still desirable for investment purposes despite containing as little as 90% Silver.

Silver Bullion Value

The value of Silver bullion is directly tied to the amount of Precious Metal that it contains. Items with higher Silver content typically boast higher price tags due to the intrinsic value.

Silver Bullion Spot Price & Premium

Silver bullion prices vary from minute to minute because of the frequent change in the spot price, or the marketplace value of a particular metal at a given time. Silver bullion investors buy pieces at the spot price, plus a premium. Learn more about the Silver spot price.

Now that you have the basics down, read on to learn why Silver bullion is a popular investment choice.

Why Buy Silver Bullion?

Investors frequently start their Precious Metals investment portfolios with Silver bullion. It is generally more affordable than Gold bullion and comes in numerous convenient shapes and sizes. Investors seek out pieces with high elemental purity because they are compact, tangible assets.

Silver bullion can be purchased in several forms:

Silver bullion coins are manufactured by sovereign mints, such as the United States Mint. Bullion coins bear face value denominations because they are legal tender. However, investors typically acquire Silver bullion coins for the Precious Metal content, not the face value. American Silver Eagle coins are a popular choice for new investors and seasoned investors alike.

Some investors also acquire Junk Silver coins, U.S. coins minted with 90% Silver content. Junk Silver coins are not numismatic or collectible items. These coins are typically purchased for the intrinsic Precious Metal value only.

Silver bullion bars are a popular choice for Precious Metal investors because they frequently feature a lower premium than coins and rounds. The most common sizes are 1 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz and 100 oz. The APMEX 1 ounce Silver Bar is a popular choice for those seeking a low premium purchase.

How To Buy & Sell Silver Bullion

Today, buying and selling Silver bullion is easier than ever. Silver bullion buyers and sellers can visit a local pawn or coin shop. However, investors frequently choose online shops like APMEX because of our product expertise, pricing, integrity and selection.

Silver bullion buyers: Access one of the largest selections of Silver bullion on APMEX.com.

Silver bullion sellers: Sell Silver bullion to APMEX and get paid fast.

Learn more about Silver bullion and other Precious Metals like Gold, Platinum and Palladium below: