Best Silver Prices — Compare Silver Bullion Across Dealers

What you actually pay: spot price vs. premium (and why silver premiums are higher)

The silver spot price — $66.65/oz as of Jun 11, 2026 · 9:28 PM ET — is the global benchmark for pure silver, but it isn't a price you can buy at. Every coin, bar, and round trades at a premium above spot covering minting, distribution, and dealer margin. That premium decides who's truly cheapest, which is why this page ranks every product by premium rather than sticker price.

Silver premiums are much higher in percentage terms than gold's. Because silver has a low value per ounce, the fixed cost of fabricating a coin is a far bigger slice of the price — so a 1 oz coin can carry a double-digit premium while a 1 oz gold coin sits in the low single digits. Across the silver coins we track, the average premium is about 15.87% over spot — currently Trending up. When premiums sit at the low end of that range, it's a better time to buy. Watch the trend on our silver premium history charts; buying when premiums are low in that range stretches your money further.

Silver coins vs. bars vs. rounds vs. junk silver — what's cheapest?

For the most silver per dollar, skip the coins. The lowest premiums are on large bars — a 100 oz bar (currently from about $6,715.68) and kilo bars carry the smallest premium per ounce because fabrication is spread across more metal. 90% junk silver and generic rounds come next, often just over — or even near — melt value. Government coins like the American Silver Eagle carry the highest premiums for their sovereign guarantee, .999 purity, and resale recognition.

Compare each on our silver coins, silver bars, silver rounds, and junk silver pages, or see the cheapest silver per ounce across all formats.

90% junk silver explained

"Junk silver" is pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, and half dollars struck in 90% silver — Roosevelt and Mercury dimes, Washington quarters, and Walking Liberty and Franklin halves. The "junk" label only means the coins have no collector premium beyond their silver content; there's nothing junky about the metal. A $1 face value of 90% coins contains about 0.715 oz of silver, and bags are priced off face value, which makes them easy to scale. Premiums are often among the lowest available — sometimes near melt — which is why junk silver is a stacker favorite. Compare live junk silver prices or check melt values with our silver coin calculator.

Monster boxes & buying in bulk

If you're buying silver in volume, monster boxes — sealed mint cases of 500 coins, such as American Silver Eagles — and full 100 oz bars usually carry lower per-ounce premiums than single pieces, and some dealers discount further by quantity or payment method. The trade-off is a larger upfront outlay and less flexibility on resale, since you'll typically sell in bulk too. Compare monster box prices against single coins and bars in the table above before committing to a format.

How to choose a trusted dealer

The lowest price only matters from a dealer you can trust. Alongside price, weigh:

• Reputation — established sellers with a verifiable track record and customer reviews. See our bullion dealer directory and reviews.
• Total landed cost — shipping, insurance, and payment-method pricing. Silver is heavy, so shipping matters more than with gold; many dealers offer free shipping over a threshold and discounts for check or wire over credit card.
• Buy-back — a dealer who repurchases what they sell at a fair spread makes your exit easier.
• Authenticity — sealed mint packaging, recognized refiner hallmarks, and clear sourcing.

Every price here links straight to the dealer's product listing, and we only compare dealers we track for live, in-stock pricing — see how we track prices. For help vetting sellers, read our most recent dealer reviews.

Popular silver products to compare

American Silver Eagle — the official US silver bullion coin, .999 fine, the most traded and recognized silver coin in the country. Browse Silver Eagles.

Canadian Silver Maple Leaf — .9999 fine from the Royal Canadian Mint, prized for purity and resale recognition. Browse Maple Leafs.

Silver Britannia — .999 fine from the Royal Mint, current issues featuring King Charles III. Browse Britannias.

Silver rounds — privately minted .999 silver at lower premiums than coins; the cost-efficient choice for stacking. Browse rounds.

Silver bars — 1 oz through 100 oz and kilo, from Engelhard, PAMP, and other refiners, at the lowest premiums per ounce. Browse silver bars.

90% junk silver — pre-1965 US coins, priced off face value near melt. Browse junk silver.

Silver in an IRA, storage & tax

Most .999 fine silver bullion — Eagles, Maples, approved rounds and bars — is eligible for a self-directed precious-metals IRA, but the metal must be held by an approved depository, not at home. Note that 90% junk silver is not IRA-eligible because it falls below .999 fineness. Buying silver is generally not reported to the IRS; reporting can apply when you sell certain quantities (the dealer may file a 1099-B). This is general information, not tax advice — confirm specifics with a tax professional.

Also compare gold prices across dealers on our live gold comparison page.