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.`
