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How do the prices of Costco Silver and Gold Coins and Bars Compare to Online Bullion Dealers?

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In a move that caters to the growing interest among consumers, Costco has broadened its selection of precious metals, introducing an array of new coins and bars to cater to the growing interest in tangible assets. The addition includes a variety of gold and silver coins and bars from renowned mints around the world, making it easier for members to diversify their investment portfolios.

The new lineup features investment-grade bullion coins such as the American Gold Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, along with various sizes of gold bars from PAMP Suisse and the RAND Refinery. These offerings are tailored to both seasoned investors and those new to precious metals, providing competitive pricing that aligns with Costco’s commitment to value.

Costco is able to leverage its membership model to offer competitive pricing on precious metals, while providing members with Cash Back rewards that can be accrued alongside credit card rewards. This combination is helping to undercut traditional coin dealers or precious metals retailers.

The coin offerings have included both gold and silver coins from the US Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint. This move by Costco follows a broader trend that reflects a mainstream acceptance and interest in precious metals as both an investment and long term store of value.

US Mint

The US Mint began minting bullion coins for investors in 1986 after the passage of the Liberty Coin Act. Along with the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, these two laws require the U.S. Mint to produce and sell the American Gold Eagle and the American Silver Eagle in both bullion and proof finishes in sufficient quantities to meet demand from investors and collectors.

The coins are issued as a vehicle to provide consumers with a trusted tangible asset. At the time of the introduction, the economy was in recovery from a recession that was triggered by increases in oil prices by OPEC starting around 1979 and dragged on until 1982. In the first two years of minting, more than 16,835,340 Silver Eagle coins were sold.

US Mint Gold Coins

The most popular gold coins from the U.S. Mint are the American Gold Eagle and the American Gold Buffalo. These coins are significant to investors for their gold content, legal tender status, historical and aesthetic appeal. Both coins are backed by the U.S. government, ensuring their gold content and purity.

They are both highly recognized and traded worldwide, providing liquidity to investors looking for a tangible asset.

2024 1 oz American Buffalo Gold Coin

2024 1 oz American Buffalo Gold Coin

The American Gold Buffalo was first issued in 2006 as the U.S. Mint’s answer to pure gold bullion coins like the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf. It is the first 24-karat gold coin from the U.S. Mint.

It features the classic design of the Indian Head nickel or Buffalo nickel, with an image of a Native American on the obverse and an American buffalo on the reverse, both designed by James Earle Fraser.

The Gold Buffalo is 99.99% gold (24 karats), and has a face value of $50 and is also recognized as U.S. legal tender.

One of the most recent times that the Gold Buffalo was in stock, it was priced at $2099.99. At the time, the gold spot price was trading around $2049, indicating only a $50 markup or roughly 2.5% dealer premium. Normal dealer premiums typically range from around 4% to 10% above the spot gold price. While the Costco price beats out the national bullion dealers, the gold coins have typically sold out within an hour or two as experienced investors pounce on these deals.

Costco Product Page: Item #1799474

2024 1 oz American Gold Eagle Coin

2024 1 oz American Gold Eagle Coin

Introduced in 1986, the American Gold Eagle is available from bullion dealers in four sizes: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. However, only the 1 oz Gold Eagle is available from Costco, making this offer limited to investors with a larger budget.

The US Mint provides investors with fractional gold coins that allow for investors having more modest budgets to invest in a long-term store of value and wealth. This variety allows investors to choose based on their budget and investment strategy.

Costco offered the 1 oz Gold Eagle in late February with a price of $2,089.99 with each member limited to just two coins. That day, the spot gold price closed at $2,036.00 per ounce, a dealer premium of $53.99 per ounce or slightly higher than 2.5%.

Typical dealer premiums on current year gold eagles range from as low as 3.5% to around 8%. When Costco Gold Eagles are available for purchase, they are typically sold out within an hour or two. The addition of the Membership Rewards for their Executive Members offers an additional 2% cash back that can later be used on future Costco purchases, including precious metals.

Costco Product Page: Item #1804545

US Mint American Eagle Silver Coins

2024 1 oz American Silver Eagle Tube of 20 Coins

The American Silver Eagle is a one-ounce silver bullion coin issued annually by the United States Mint since 1986. A standard mint tube of Silver Eagle coins usually contains 20 coins. Each coin is one troy ounce of .999 fine silver. The coins are packed tightly in a tube to prevent movement and reduce the risk of scratching or damage during shipping.

Tubes of Silver Eagle coins are made available for sale periodically. The availability of Silver Eagle coins from Costco is limited and the pricing is typically similar to other online bullion dealers. It’s important to compare prices of Tubes of Silver Eagle Coins before making a purchase.

Costco Product Page: Item #1789494

2023 1 oz American Silver Eagle Tube of 20 Coins

Costco Product Page: Item #1799373

Royal Canadian Mint

Founded in 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint has established a global reputation for its innovative coin designs, high-quality craftsmanship, and advanced security features

The RCM is a prestigious institution, producing high-quality, pure gold and silver coins, with the Canadian Gold and Silver Maple Leafs being their flagship products. These coins are widely recognized in international markets and are considered to be a highly liquid investment.

Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coins

2024 1 oz Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coin Tube of 25 Coins

Maple Leaf silver coins are our Northern neighbors’ equivalent to the Silver Eagle and are suitable as an investment or store of value. The key advantages that Maple Leaf silver coins have over the Silver Eagle are:

  • .9999 Purity – The Silver Maple Leaf boasts a .9999 fine silver purity. While some investors prefer the four-nines purity, the extra nine does not add any extra value in today’s market.
  • Design and Recognition – The 2024 issue carries the King Charles’ profile on the obverse, while the iconic sugar maple leaf design is featured on the reverse. This classic reverse design has been minted annually since 1988 and is recognized and respected worldwide, ensuring the coin’s liquidity and marketability.
  • Anti-Counterfeiting and Security Measures – The Royal Canadian Mint began incorporating advanced security measures into the design of the coins in 2014, providing visual ways for investors to distinguish between fake and genuine coins.

The Maple Leaf coins were in stock on Costco’s website for a few hours recently at the price of $609.99. That puts each coin in a tube of 25 at around 24.40, with the spot price of silver that day closing at $22.08 per ounce. Typical dealer premiums are slightly higher at around $2.50 per coin.

Costco Product Page: Item #1814000

Canadian Maple Leaf 1 oz Gold Coins

The Maple Leaf 1 oz Gold Coin is the flagship bullion investment coin from the Royal Canadian Mint. It has been a mainstay with global investors since 1979. Its .9999 fine gold content makes it one of the purest investment grade gold coins available, which can be important for some investors.

Costco’s first offering of Maple Leaf gold coins including the Queen Elizabeth Memorial obverse design from last year.

A few weeks ago, the current year issue featuring the official portrait of King Charles was made available at the price of $2,219. On the same day gold spot price closed at $2,161.71 per ounce, a premium of $57.29, which is slightly higher than the lowest available price from national bullion dealers. The average premium for the Costco sale had some investors buying, with availability lasting around 17 hours.

Although the 1 oz coin is the standard, the Maple Leaf series is available in various sizes (1 gram, 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz) from a variety of trusted and reputable online bullion dealers, offering flexibility for different investment budgets and strategies.

2024 1 oz Canada Maple Leaf Gold Coin (King Charles Design)

Costco Product Page: Item #1814006

PAMP Suisse

PAMP Suisse is a private mint based in Ticino, Switzerland. Established in 1977, the company has grown to become a leader in the precious metals industry with an outstanding reputation for producing gold bars of the highest quality. Each newly minted gold bar is produced to the industry standard of .9999 fineness and is accompanied by an assay certificate that guarantees its purity and weight.

PAMP Lady Fortuna Series

The Lady Fortuna series is one of the most iconic and recognizable in the gold market. Combined with PAMP Suisse’s industry leading Veriscan technology that captures the unique topographical characteristics of each gold bar. A mobile app is available that allows investors to instantly verify if a bar is authentic by uploading a series of images which are compared to those stored in Veriscan database. This anti-counterfeiting measure helps assure investors that they are buying genuine investment-grade gold bars.

PAMP 100 gram Lady Fortuna Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1801206

PAMP 50 gram Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1782174

PAMP 1 oz Lady Fortuna Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1748080

PAMP 20 gram Lady Fortuna Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1782171

Multigram+25 Gold Bars

PAMP Multigram+25 1 gram Gold Bars

Costco Product Page: Item #1811661

PAMP Rosa Series

The most distinctive feature of the Rosa series is the intricate rose design engraved on the bar’s obverse side. This design features a single rose stem with detailed petals and leaves, representing love, beauty, and elegance. The design’s sophistication and artistry make these bars stand out in the gold bullion market.

PAMP 100 Gram Rosa Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1782169

PAMP 50 gram Rosa Gold Bar

Costco Product Page:

PAMP Rosa 1 oz Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1782167

PAMP Lunar Legends Series

Like other PAMP Suisse products, the Lunar series bars are available in high purity .9999 fine gold. The designs are renowned for their intricate detailing and artistic quality. To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, PAMP Each bar features an image of the zodiac animal for that year, often depicted in a style that combines traditional and modern artistic elements.

The Azure Dragon is part of the Four Symbols and is considered important for creating balance and harmony in the environment. It is often paired with the White Tiger on the opposite side to balance yin and yang energies.

Each bar comes packaged in a tamper-evident assay card with an individual serial number and a certificate of authenticity.

PAMP Lunar Legends Azure Dragon 1 oz Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1778080

RAND Refinery

Established in 1920, The RAND Refinery plays a central role in processing gold from the renowned South African gold mines. With over a century in operation, the RAND Refinery has established a strong reputation for reliability and quality in the global precious metals market which contributes to its trusted status among investors and collectors.

Depending on the market conditions, gold bars from the RAND Refinery can be cheaper and may be more cost-effective with a lower price per ounce compared to those from other refineries. RAND Refinery’s gold bars are a highly liquid investment that is recognized and accepted worldwide.

RAND 1 oz Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1768080

RAND 100 Gram Gold Bar

Costco Product Page: Item #1796444

Costco’s expansion into the precious metals market by adding more coins and bars to its lineup demonstrates the company’s response to increased consumer demand for tangible investments as a store of value and wealth. This expansion not only broadens the investment options for Costco members but also signifies the growing trend of retail investment in precious metals.

Moreover, Costco’s foray into precious metals is complemented by its robust online platform and in-store services, ensuring secure and convenient purchases. With this expansion, Costco aims to solidify its position in the precious metals market, among industry veterans like APMEX, JM Bullion, Bullion Exchanges and SD Bullion, offering an accessible path for its members to invest in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Precious metals coins are government backed with a guarantee for their purity and weight. They are purposely minted as a long term store of value and wealth that have historically been an effective hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.

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Costco Adds Canadian Maple Leaf Coins to their Lineup

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The large, big-box, members only retailer best known for bulk household goods has added silver and gold coins from the Royal Canadian Mint to their product lines as more investors stock up on precious metals.

Recently, Costco began offering Mint Tubes of Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins, not long after the retailer began limited offerings of the 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf coin.

Enthusiasm by investors on social media shows a positive response to this trend, with many only posts expressing excitement over the convenience of bringing home investment-grade silver and gold to their, alongside oversized packs of toilet paper, laundry detergent and other household items.

Purchasing precious metals from Costco is only to their members and more than 32 million people can enjoy earning an automatic 2% cash back on club purchases. Additionally, credit cards rewards can offset any premiums further, with many credit card offers available that include an additional 1 to 2%.

With recent spot prices, the average price of a Tube of Maple Leaf coins is around $650, getting 4% in cash back rewards helps to offset the premiums that come along with buying precious metals online.

The 1 oz Silver Maple Leaf coin, introduced in 1988, embodies the Mint’s dedication to quality and innovation. Each coin contains .9999 fine silver, making it one of the purest silver coins available on the market. This commitment to purity, coupled with the coin’s iconic design, has cemented the Silver Maple Leaf’s status as one of the world’s most sought-after silver bullion coins.

The Royal Canadian Mint’s 1 oz Silver Maple Leaf coins stand as a testament to Canada’s rich tradition in silver craftsmanship and minting excellence. These coins are sought after for their purity, intricate design, and historical lineage.

Costco’s decision to sell precious metals is being viewed as a strategic way to tap into niche markets while exposing precious metals as store of value and wealth to their diverse customer base.

Costco’s venture into precious metals is also helping to set a new retail trend that blurs the lines between everyday shopping and investing. Shopping at Costco for Maple Leaf coins helps to bring awareness to a whole new class of investors who are poised to learn more and gain a better understanding of investment-grade silver.

While reactions on social media are mixed, with many traditional investors balking at the trend, this move undoubtedly positions Costco as a pioneer in integrating investment options into a traditional retail environment. After experimenting with selling American Silver Eagles, it seems clear that the decision to expand the available products is something that resonates with the majority of its membership base.

The coins are available for sale online only at random times. When they are available, they are limited to 2 tubes per member and they sell out typically within an hour.

References:

Costco Product Page

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Survival: Prepping with Silver

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Not too long ago, the idea of prepping, and having the tools to survive in the event of a disaster seamed pretty far fetched.

These days, it’s wise to be planning ahead as even the CEO of Chase has offered only dire predictions for the coming year.

The conditions we saw at the start of the pandemic with empty store shelves and limited supplies of basic necessities are likely to return.

Liquidity in both the stock and crypto markets continues to suffer while more companies announce layoffs following a year of record profits.

A new survey, published in January 2023, shows that more than 56% of households are unable to cover a one-time $1,000 emergency expense from their savings.

The amount of emergency savings needed by each person depends a lot of their expenses and emergency expectations. LifeHacker recommends that to calculate what you might need, you can estimate a week’s worth of expenses for food, bottled water, medications and any other necessities for your family.

Silver Preps

Having some money saved in the event of difficult financial times is practical and common sense. Stagnant wages and high inflation have already been making things difficult.

One of the first notions that comes to mind is to having fractional silver on hand for bartering.

“Junk Silver” is the best option for having fractional silver at home. It’s readily available and easy to authenticate. Most importantly, it’s affordable and easy to make regular purchases on a budget.

The coins in everyday circulation minted prior to 1965 were made from 90% pure silver mixed with some copper for durability.

These are coins that are of little interest to most collectors since most will show some wear and tear from circulation .

Each silver half dollar, quarter and dime minted before 1965 has known and verifiable amounts of pure silver and a small amount of copper.

Bag full of Junk Silver Quarters
Pile of junk silver quarters

During the time when silver was still circulating, the coin had real intrinsic value.

Buying 90% junk silver coins is the most practical fractional silver to stack that is hard to counterfeit and simple to authenticate.

Identifying 90% Silver Coins

Visually, you can identify junk silver pretty easily by looking at the rim of the coin. Coin roll hunters often use this trick when searching through boxes of bank rolls.

Weighing the coins is also a simple method to determine genuine junk silver. You will need a scale that measures in either troy ounces or grams.

Most kitchen scales or the herb scale you can get at the local gas station or from Amazon is often sufficient.

The table below shows how many grams of silver contained in each denomination of 90% junk silver:

DenominationFace ValueGross WeightASW
Half Dollar50 cents11.34 grams10.206 grams (.328 ozt)
Quarter25 cents6.25 grams5.625 grams (.1808 ozt)
Dime10 cents2.5 grams2.25 grams (0.0723 ozt)

Each $1 USD of face value yields approximately .715 ozt of silver. So, a $10 Face Value roll of silver quarters has roughly 7.15 troy ounces of pure silver.

Holding onto even a small stack of silver helps to understand the intrinsic value and why it has been used as real money for hundreds of years. We’ve seen in the wake of hurricanes and other natural disasters that debit cards, Apple Pay and ATM machines don’t work when the power grid goes out.

Junk silver is the most logical starting point when it comes to financial prepping with precious metals.

  • It fits all of the characteristics that are important in a SHTF scenario.
  • It is naturally fractional.
  • It is easy to authenticate in the field.
  • It is difficult to counterfeit.

40% and 35% Silver Coins

From 1964 until 1970, the Kennedy half-dollar coin was minted with an alloy that contains 40% silver. Not long ago many investors overlooked these coins because of the reduced silver content. Though 40% Kennedy half dollars can often be found with much lower premiums.

The war nickel was minted during World War II. From 1942 until 1945, nickel was a critical metal needed for the production of tanks and armor for vehicles. The metal used for the coins was reformulated to an alloy containing 35% silver.

1 oz Silver Coins and Rounds

After building a stack of junk silver, the most practical .999 fine silver options are typically 1 oz silver coins, rounds or bars. This weight is very common to find available from online bullion dealers and marketplaces or local coin shops.

As the recession takes hold, one ounce silver coins and rounds have become a popular way to hold an investment in silver.

Many people have similar questions when prepping with precious metals.

What is the difference between a coin and a round?

There is only one single characteristic that distinguishes a silver coin from a silver round.

Coins are minted by governments and are designated as legal tender.

This provides a guarantee that the weight and purity of each coin is minted to the exact specifications as outlined in the law.

For example, the face value on bullion coins such as the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, is one Canadian dollar ($1 CAD). But the intrinsic value is based on silver spot price.

Silver rounds are similar to coins in shape, composition and dimension. They are designed to mimic the feel of coins and have the similar composition and silver purity.

The distinguishing factor is that silver rounds are produced and distributed by private mints and have no legal tender face value. One ounce silver coins and rounds share the exact same intrinsic silver value.

Premiums on silver rounds are lower than coins because of the face value and they have the backing of a trusted sovereign government.

Silver rounds from private mints will typically be less expensive than coins.

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Comparing Government Minted Silver Coins

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Modern Silver Coins

Coins are minted by sovereign governments most often for circulating currency and coinage.

Coins are also minted for commemorative purposes. which creates opportunities for both collectors and enthusiasts of the topic being commemorated.

Governments also mint silver coins for investment purposes. These bullion coins can be the solid foundation that investors and stackers know will provide added financial security.

The economy already in a recession, inflation and interest rates are both out of control. Government silver coins can help provide some peace of mind during tough times that lie ahead.

Circulated or Junk Silver Coins

In the United States and Canada, coins minted from silver alloys were in common circulation until the 1960s. Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1965 after the assassination of Kennedy. The Act authorized the debasement of the dollar continued during President Johnson’s Administration. In the early 1970s Nixon removed the US from the gold standard entirely.

All coinage in the United States were minted of an alloy that contained 90% silver until 1964. With with the exception of the penny and nickel. Many of these coins were slowly removed from circulation by savvy savers. Coin roll hunters continue to find silver this way.

Each $1 in face value of circulated junk silver coins contains roughly .715 troy ounces of pure silver. The coins contain an alloy with copper to give it more rigidity and strength to endure day to day handling.

Junk silver is popular amongst investors, preppers and stackers. Circulated 90% silver coins can be bought, sold and traded locally at Pawn Shops, local coin stores, jewelers and “We Buy Gold” stores. However, the best deals can often be found with trusted and reputable online bullion dealers.

Premiums on a random selection of 90% silver coins can vary greatly from dealer to dealer.

Beginning in 1965, the silver alloy content for the 50 cents or half dollar coins was reduced to 40% silver.

Modern 1 oz Silver Bullion Coins

The first modern 1 oz silver bullion coin was the Mexican Onza. The Mexican Onza was first produced by the Mexico City mint in 1949. It would be another 29 years before the next release in 1978.

The more familiar Mexican Libertad coin was first released in 1982.

China introduced the world to the Panda bullion coin series in 1983.

The US Mint introduced the American Eagle silver bullion coin to investors in 1986.

The Royal Canadian Mint added a 1 oz Silver coin to the Maple Leaf series in 1988.

The Perth Mint of Australia produces a variety of silver bullion coins that are perfect for investors and collectors. The first edition of the Kookaburra 1 oz Silver Coin was minted in 1990. The design shows the native bird perched on a log surrounded by the jungle.

Over the last 30 years more and more sovereign governments have issued legal tender bullion coins for investors.

These coins have a legal tender face value. This means that they can be legally be used to pay for everyday goods and services in their respective country. However, the face value is nominal and doesn’t reflect the true intrinsic value of the silver bullion.

Austria Silver Philharmonic Coins

The Philharmonic is often the least considered. However, its history shows that it is one of the best sovereign coins for building a solid stack.

The Philharmonic series includes Platinum, Gold and Silver. The same design is shared coins in this series.

The obverse shows the Musikverein Pipe Organ which stands 36 feet tall and weighs 28 tons. The organ is operated with both manual and electronic controls and has 6,138 pipes. Some of the pipes used in the construction were recycled and reused from an 1872 Ladegast organ.

The reverse shows a variety of orchestral instruments that are part of the Vienna Philharmonic which performs at the Golden Hall.

Random Year Silver Philharmonics are a favorite for investors that keep close track of premiums and dollar-cost average the stack.

South African Silver Krugerrand

The silver Krugerrand bullion coin from South Africa was introduced in 2017 with a special proof finish. Beginning in 2018 the mint began to produce and export these coins with a bullion finish.

The Silver Krugerrand design is derived from the famous gold bullion coin of the same name.

The obverse design features a left facing portrait of Paul Kruger. He was a politician and former President of South Africa who was important in helping the country to gain independence.

Of all the currently minted sovereign coins the silver Krugerrand is often priced the lowest. Make no mistake, these coins are the same purity of eagles but with a much better price.

Secondary Market American Silver Eagles

Investor demand for silver bullion is the highest it has been since the Hunt Brother’s tried to corner the silver market in the 1980s. The premiums for the upcoming release of the 2023 American Silver Eagle coin series are the highest they have ever been in history.

Some investors and stackers insist on only buying sovereign silver coins due to the assurance that comes with government mints. In the secondary market, when Silver Eagles are traded back to a dealer by an investor, they become available to buy, often as a significant discount over newly minted coins.

Many of these coins are backdated silver eagle coins that had been originally sold in the year in which they were minted.

In many cases, these coins may still be in brilliant uncirculated (BU) condition still in the original mint tube. It is most common that these coins will exhibit some type of minor imperfections such as tarnish. They may also include slight fingerprints or maybe some tiny scratches or imperfections from being handled. Each coin will always maintain its intrinsic value.

This does not have any impact on the monetary value or intrinsic value of the gold. Buying previous year silver eagles is one ways investors can save on premiums.

Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins

The Canadian Maple Leaf Silver 1 oz Coin is the number one alternative to the American Silver Eagle Coin. The Silver Maple Leaf coin was introduced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 1988 after much demand from investors.

Since the introduction of the silver coin into this series, the obverse of the coin displays well known portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. With her death in 2022 it is likely that future versions of the coin will be minted with an effigy of King Charles.

The Maple Leaf 1 oz Silver bullion coin is produced from silver that has been refined to the highest levels of purity. The precious metals used for these coins is sourced from Canadian mines and then refined to 99.99% purity (.9999 fineness).

The reverse of the coin has a very simple design of a national symbol of Canada, the sugar maple leaf.

Britannia Silver Coins

The Britannia series began began in 1997 with a fineness of .958 purity. It was a unique silver coin at the time of it debut and most mintages maxed out with 100,000 coins. The 95.8% pure silver is historically referred to as Britannia silver and it is most often used as a component in making musical instruments, particularly the flute and other woodwind instruments.

In 2013 the Royal Mint began minting the Britannia .999 fine silver coin that continues to be produced annually. This was also the same year that future mintages of this coin would be unlimited, allowing for the coins to be manufactured with a “mint on demand” model in place with other sovereign mints.

The obverse side is adorned with a well known portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Since her death in 2022, it is assumed that coins beginning in 2023 will include a portrait of King Charles once his official coronation is complete.

2023 Britannia Silver Coins with the Queen obverse are already available and being shipped by dealers. It’s expected that the premiums will shoot up on these coins when the new effigy is introduced this year.

You can expect that these bullion coins sellout and will become extremely popular with enthusiasts and collectors of Royal Family memorabilia.

The reverse face contains the familiar Britannia mythical female warrior.

Previous year Britannia coins are a popular choice for those looking to buy a low premium 1 oz silver coin. The random year silver Britannia coins are bullion coin that are recognized for their .999 purity and legal tender backing.

Premiums are cheaper on previous year Britannia silver coins. Keep in mind that many bullion coins from the Royal Mint may show some milk spotting.`

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Weekly Precious Metals News and Gold Prices

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Gold, Silver and Platinum began trading higher in the lead up to the midterm elections.

There continues to be controversy surrounding the counting of votes in some states and precincts. Most mainstream media outlets have confirmed that the balance of power in the House of Representatives will shift across the aisle to the Republican party.

Gold prices surged leading into the midterm elections resulting from the state of the economy and the Biden administrations ongoing support for the war in the Ukraine.

Millions of Americans were already facing difficult economic times resulting from the lasting effects of problems caused by forced shutdowns and additional failed government policies during the pandemic.

The Biden Administration’s handling of the pandemic response is one of the leading factors that the mainstream media has blamed for the shift in control of congress to the Republican party following tabulation of election results.

The Federal Reserve and the Treasury continue their strategy of increasing interest rates in an attempt to bring down the rate of inflation.

Global commodities markets, particularly those involved in the trading of precious metals such as gold and silver, and those involved in petroleum, oil and natural gas, have been a lot of unexpected price swings and short selling as traders look for opportunities among the market chaos.

The latest CPI from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that inflation and stagnant wage growth are two of the biggest ongoing problem for most working Americans.

October 2022 data released last week shows that all items index prices increased more than 7.7%, with the sharpest increases in food, housing, gasoline and fuel oil.

The price of fuel oil has surged to the highest peak since the 2008 Housing Crisis, leaving millions of underpaid Americans with concerns about how to pay for heat this winter.

The problems for the US economy continue to get worse as major companies announce mass layoffs to reduce their employee headcounts now that the midterm elections have been completed.

Crime continues to surge in major cities, particularly in States that are heavily controlled and governed by Democrats with growing homeless encampments and criminal gangs looking to exploit opportunities.

Bitcoin and crypto investors are beginning to realize that the current fiat based system that has been led by the Federal Reserve is not likely to provide the stimulus needed to bring about a full economic recovery in the short-term.
Many leading industry experts and executives have suggested that Blockchain technology can be implemented to assist central bankers with international trade and other economic growth with the support and agreement of foreign trade organizations that are backed by precious metals, particularly gold.

Representatives from countries that belong to the G20 are meeting this week in Indonesia to layout a strategy for global economic recovery.

Industry observers expect that many of the G7 countries will promote the use of CBDC as a mechanism to control the flow of digital and crypto currency between nations as a leading solution to the problems with the fiat and global credit system. https://www.kitco.com/news/2022-11-08/Gold-price-soars-on-short-covering-bargain-hunting-crypto-rumors.html

Financial experts continue to warn that the fallout from the FTX fiasco is likely to be bigger than the housing bubble and collapse that proceeded the recession and financial crisis that began in 2008

The collapse of FTX and the founder being investigated for related financial and election related crimes is beginning to shed some light on further corruption by government officials in the United States and Ukraine, with millions of dollars of military aid suspected of being laundered through various crypto exchanges being donated to hundreds of Democrat candidates and Soros funded lobbying organizations throughout the country.

Over the last few years central government banks have been adding tons of gold bars to their vaults while attempting to repatriate additional gold stored in foreign vaults. https://www.kitco.com/news/2022-11-08/Silver-holdings-in-London-vaults-drop-to-record-lows.html

Venezuela, which has had much of their gold reserves stored in vaults in the UK, United States and Canada, has been attempting to repatriate their gold bars since the Presidency of Hugo Chavez.

In 2012, Venezuela was able to repatriate some gold reserves, valued at roughly $9 billion at the time. Attempts to move an additional 14 tons of gold reserves in 2018 were refused by government officials in the United States due to economic sanctions against the Maduro presidency which continues to cause economic harm to millions of Venezuelans seeking asylum.

Global demand for gold and silver is stronger than ever, especially in Asia where gold is viewed as a store of family wealth.

The Perth Mint of Australia continues a record breaking year, with exports and sales of gold coins reportedly shipping more than 183,000 troy ounces of gold in October.

Random Year Canadian Maple Leaf 1 oz Silver Coins – available from Silver Gold Bull and other dealers from $30.29 per troy ounce.

The best price for Random Year Silver Eagle coins this week can be found on eBay.

Fractional gold bars maintain their popularity and intrinsic value with investors and stackers searching for some economic security. The most savvy investors use the Closest to Spot tools to find the best prices on fractional gold bars in sizes that range from 1 gram to 20 grams.

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Investing in Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins

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Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins

The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin is a pure silver bullion coin featuring .9999 fine silver with a beautiful design. Investors and collectors around the world seek out the Silver Maple Leaf due to its high quality and global recognition.

The Maple Leaf coin was first minted in a gold bullion version in 1979 by The Royal Canadian Mint.
Minting of the silver version of the Maple Leaf coin began in 1988.

Silver Maple Leaf Coin Specifications:

  • Each silver maple leaf coin contains one full ounce of pure silver
  • It has a certified purity of .9999 fine silver
  • Its diameter measures 38.0 mm
  • It has a thickness of 3.29 mm
  • The obverse of the coin features a sculpture of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
  • The coins reverse displays a maple leaf, which is Canada’s national symbol
  • It carries a face value of $5.00 Canadian dollars

The profile effigy of Queen Elizabeth II that is featured on the 2019 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin was designed by Susan Blunt.

Reasons to Buy Canadian Silver Maple Leafs

Silver Maple Leaf Coins make a great investment for anyone looking to diversify with precious metals. The coin’s purity, global recognition, low premiums and backing by the sovereign government of Canada are all reasons that investor demand for Silver Canadian Maple Leaf coins is high.

The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf makes a fine addition to any collection or investment portfolio.

Whether you’re in the market for a few or an entire Monster Box, shopping around to multiple dealers is the best way to find the most competitive prices.

Wading through all the places to buy Silver Maple Leaf Coins is a challenge. Instead, begin by browsing FindBullionPrices.com to find the best Silver Maple Leaf prices from trusted and reputable online bullion dealers. Chances are that at least one or more will suit your needs.

Cheapest Silver Maple Leaf Coins

When you buy Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins it is important to pay the lowest possible price for your investment. Many Silver Maple Leafs are prone to a condition called “Milk Spotting”, particularly coins minted prior to 2018.

Milk Spotting occurs as a result of the minting process in which the bullion coins are rinsed using a special cleaning agent. Residue left on the coins can cause a whitish, milky looking haze to develop on the faces of the coin over time.

Milk spots on Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins can be troubling for investors that buy numismatic coins. However, the majority of Silver Maple Leafs are bullion coins which have only intrinsic value due to their silver content. Milk Spots on bullion coins to do effect their intrinsic value.

Smart investors looking to buy the cheapest Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins will find that the best prices can be found with secondary market coins that may have milk spots, tarnish or be in cull condition.

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Where to buy Cheap Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins?

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Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins make a great investment for any precious metals portfolio. Silver Maple Leaf coins are minted from .9999 (four nines) pure fine silver, making them one of the purest silver bullion coins produced in the world.

The design of the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin features a national symbol of Canada, the glorious maple leaf on one side, and a profile of Queen Elizabeth on the other.

Silver Maple Leafs are minted by the Royal Canadian Mint and are backed by the sovereign government of Canada for their purity and quality.

A common issue with Silver Maple Leaf Coins, as well as other silver coins issues by the Royal Canadian Mint, has been that over time the coins can develop a milky sheen on the surface. The milky sheen can be just some small spots or can cover the coin entirely.

What causes milk spots on Silver Maple Leaf Coins?

The milk spots that have appeared on Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins has been often blamed on the rinsing solution that has been used during the minting process.

To combat the problem of milk-spots developing on Silver Maple Leafs, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced “MintShield” technology on bullion coins produced from 2018 onward.

MintShield is a unique production process developed to reduce the occurrence of white milky spots from developing over time. The process is applied to coins during the minting process. It is invisible to the naked eye and has no impact on the purity or composition of the Silver Maple Leaf Coins.

Milk spots, while not aesthetically pleasing, have little to no impact on the value of the silver bullion.

On the secondary market, buying Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins that have milk spots represents an investment opportunity. Milk spotted Silver Maple Leaf coins are often sold by bullion dealers at a discount.

You can buy Silver Maple Leaf Coins with Milk Spots from online bullion dealers. Sometimes these are listed in the product description as milk spotted, circulated or cull Maple Leafs. Coins with milk spots will usually be the cheapest way to buy Silver Maple Leaf coins.

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Earn 8% eBay Bucks on eligible purchases, including Silver & Gold Bullion

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Sunshine Mint Silver Rounds ebay Bucks

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a small commission. More information about our affiliate programs can be found here.

eBay launched an eBay Bucks promotion this morning that allows buyers to earn 8% cash back eBay Bucks rewards on eligible purchases through November 15, 2018 at midnight Pacific time.

As usual, items listed in the bullion categories on eBay are ineligible to earn Bucks. However, there are many deals on gold, silver and junk bullion that trusted and reputable dealers have listed outside of the bullion categories that are eligible for earning eBay Bucks, including the 8% bonus.

To find out if you’re eligible for the eBay Bucks promotion, click this link to the eBay Bucks promotion page and click the “Activate” link.

https://pages.ebay.com/rewards/2018/1113.html

If you’re eligible to participate you will be brought to a confirmation page. If you are not eligible you will see a message stating that the offer cannot be activated and it may give you a reason.

Click here for lists of eBay Bucks eligible Gold, Silver and Junk bullion items.

Eligible items include rolls of American Silver Eagles, rolls of Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, fractional gold bars, 10 oz silver bars, 20 Franc Gold Coins, Gold Sovereign Coins, lots of 5 and 10 1 oz silver rounds and bars as well as 90% silver coinage in rolls and bags.

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Silver Eagles vs Silver Maple Leafs

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buy silver

Many silver stackers and investors choose to buy silver eagles or silver maple leafs because they are both sovereign government bullion.

Both silver eagles and silver maple leafs are widely recognized government bullion.

American Silver Eagle Coins

  • Minted by the US Mint since 1986
  • Official silver bullion coin of the United States
  • Guaranteed and backed for it’s purity and weight
  • Minted of .999 fine silver
  • Weighs 1 troy ounce
  • Legal Tender Face Value of $1 USD

Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins

  • Minted by the Royal Canadian Mint since 1988
  • Official silver bullion coin of Canada
  • Minted of .9999 fine silver
  • Weighs 1 troy ounce
  • Legal Tender Face Value of $5 CAD