If you were going to invest in silver would you rather own ASEs knowing they will cost more but also sell for more or would you want bullion at a price closer to its actual value knowing that it will probably sell for less than if it were an ASE?
Personally, I buy only numismatic silver. ASEs, maple leafs, Phils along with 90% bulk bags of quarters and dimes. I'm not a fan of generic bars and rounds. For me, it's an aesthetic choice.
This is the safest and best way to go. I own some rounds, but the greatest danger to owning silver is to get something that is underweight, less pure than marked, or outright counterfeit. With ASEs and maple leafs, that problem is solved. Paying a little more eliminates the chance of your entire silver investment program going seriously wrong.
I recently bought a roll of privately minted silver one ounce rounds, but I would never sink all of my investments in just those. But if you are strictly into buying bullion silver, and not worried about numismatic value, it's probably the best way to go.
I think it's best to have at least half of your entire silver collection in one of the top 3 either the Maple leaf, Silver Eagle, or the Phils, there most recognizable. I like the Maple best because at most places there not priced over spot as much as the other two.
Either way for me.. I look for bargains in bullion and eagles. My "stack" has more rounds and bars than eagles and maples, but I don't think that this will hurt me too badly. Most of my bars are from recognizable mints, although I have a boatload of generic no namers... I'm just hoping that down the road, an ounce of silver is an ounce of silver... Regardless, I've made much worse investments!
I don't think you have much to worry about in silver. I've always called it "poor man's gold" because it is more realistic for most people to aquire than that high priced yellow stuff. I always keep my eyes open for scrap or bullion silver for good deals wherever I go. If my retirement account takes another major hit like it did a year ago, I'll still have my silver as a backup.
Has anyone purchased rounds directly form First Majestic? I ordered some about a year ago and was pleased with what I received.
I would buy American Silver and Gold eagles only, everything else I would buy American Silver and Gold eagles only, everything else (in this area) sells for less, but I would not even buy either one now - it's the wrong end of the swing for sure IMO. If I could not wait and get rolls of common eagles at $17.95 each (per coin) I would wait - I have bought and sold them for $130 a roll and when they are over $20 each by the roll it scares me to death. I don't expect them to be $130 a roll in my life but stranger things have and do happen. I would bet they will $280 a roll again - I really do. Don't you'all jump me at once here or laugh to hard, I really think that!
I like the look of ASEs and Maple Leafs so I would prefer those if I were to get heavily into this. I think they are more recognizable and would be easier to sell at closer to the bullion value (less of a discount from spot).
I think that ASEs are the way to go. IMO, they are beautiful coins and you know exactly what you are getting. Whenever I show non-collectors my ASEs, I always get a "wow" reaction. If you ever want to sell them in the future, they will be highly recognizable and likely in demand especially when the series ends. TC
