This might be informative to some readers. I ran a calc of APMEX premiums +plus s/h on eBay on 2/15/2013. Here is the breakdown for avg cost at mkt, for several dozen auctions of Ag product: SILVER: 100 ozt (generic) ingot .....12.0% premium over Spot 10 ozt (generic) ingot ..... 16.9% premium over Spot 10 ozt (brand) ingot ..........20.2% premium over Spot 5 ozt (generic) ingot ........ 19.6% premium over Spot 5 ozt (ATB) round .............29.1% premium over Spot 1 ozt (generic) round ........36.3% premium over Spot ( range: 34.5% - 48.8%) 1 ozt (collectible) round .....53.4% premium over Spot ( range: 39.7% - 119.5%) Less informative for the small sample, here are other PM premiums on the same date: GOLD: 1 ozt (generic) ingot ...........10.2% premium over Spot 1 ozt ('US collectible') round..13.4% premium over Spot PLATINUM: 1/10 ozt ('US collectible') round...36.7% premium over Spot PALLADIUM: 1 ozt ('generic') round............6.9% premium over Spot
This is very useful. However, they do at least offer small discounts when you buy in bulk. The $4.95 shipping they charge is only significant when you purchase 1 oz at at time. Moderncoinmart, who I usually use when looking to buy small lots off eBay, may be better than Apmex depending on the size of the order. They don't charge shipping. Right now, eagles are $34.95 each shipped. That comes out to a smaller premium than Apmex for their generic 1oz rounds.
I think it's most useful to see what particular premium you're paying for x item (numismatic value, for whatever) OVER the standard premium. Fact is, you'll pay SOME premium no matter what - so seeing & understanding the extra cost is grasping/knowing the numismatic premium. This can help, to see what kind of 'deal' you're really getting (or not.) I'll add 3/15/2013 data shortly.
3/15/2013 eBay data, also APMEX etc. SILVER: 10-100 ozt (various) ingot .....13.1% premium over Spot 1-5 ozt ('collectible') round ....34.1% premium over Spot 1 ozt (generic) round ........16.8% premium over Spot ( range: 12.6% - 23.2%) Gold, on the same date: GOLD: 1 ozt (generic) ingot .............4.6% premium over Spot 1 ozt ('US collectible') round....6.8% premium over Spot Fractional (various) round.....11.5% premium over Spot I'm guessing variations in both periods are due more to auction item volatility rather than falling premiums on POG/POS.
Howdy all, Here's the link to my LCD - Liberty Coins (Pat Heller). On the right side is their daily quote pdf that lists their premiums. http://www.libertycoinservice.com/ They don't list everything but seem to be quite a bit cheaper. S&H would make a difference, however. Buy hey, the vigorish is the vigorish. You want to minimize it as best you can. peace, rono
I always use the site someone here on CT recommended. www.Comparegoldprices.com, www.comparesilverprices.com, etc. I find it useful to compare the various vendors. Its surprising to see almost every day the lowest priced vendor changes.
I have been paying about 20x face lately for 90% silver coins. I think it's the going price, but I'm not sure with the changes in the price of silver lately.
In my neck of the woods 90%, if you can even find it, is generally 22x-24x. It's sort of crazy how things are now a days.
Its around 20x here as well from dealers. Frank Robinson on his latest world coin list had bulk world silver coins for around $26.50 an ounce ASW.