The premium for a world mint coin is two fold. One, it is somewhat numismatic, in that some people will want to collect them. However, the other part is so a dealer can recognize it as authentic when you go to sell. Go try to sell some bars to a dealer and see how they will pay you for them versus ASEs or maple leaves. The bars are discounted more heavily since they have more of a risk they are fake silver. Anyone who says the ONLY thing that matters when it comes to physical bullion investing is weight and purity of the metal I believe needs more education on the marketplace. No offense, but its more complicated than you are making it out to be sir. Selling well is in many times MUCH more important than buying well, and many buyers of bullion prefer minted coins over any other form of bullion, and will pay more for it. IF you are only buying silver to melt down someday and make your own items with it, of course the only thing that will matter is price per ounce. If instead you plan on selling to someone else, of course THEIR preferences will also come into play, no?
As far as silver goes my collection is about 70 percent ASE and 30 percent maples. Proofs and uncirculated. I like the mix but will admit a fondness for maples and in general the RCM , due to my Canadian heritage and that they do some amazing and fun looking coins. I am in the upper midwest and imagine Maples would be welcome well enough if I sold them, but believe the ASEs would be "more" welcome. On the flip side Maples are usually a bit cheaper to buy. I am considering some minor fractional gold coin purchases and face a similar choice - Maples or Eagles ?
If you're buying ASE's for the sole purpose of an investment, it would be my opinion to just buy a Silver ETF.
Yes, You can own a Silver ETF, one of the best only charges a 0.50% annual fee for holding silver for you, minus transaction fees. But I think like most, we like to look and hold the stuff. Otherwise just buy some good stocks and get a much better return on your money. Even a good High Growth Commercial Bond Fund will return more over the short and long term than PMs, generally.
Stick to the major recognized bullion issues, shop for best pricing & you'll be fine - ASE, Canadian Maple Leaf, Mexican Libertad, British Britannia, Austrian Philharmonic and Australian Kangaroo - the more obscure countries and special issues carry higher premiums and are more difficult to liquidate as silver bullion
Talking about premiums paid for struck bullion coins (and yes, it is a premium if you pay above melt), check out the premium on poured bars. I REALLY can't understand that.
If you plan to sell it for currency, then in order to maximize profits you need the most prospective buyers. In a way the premium is a form of insurance so you won't be unable to sell it, baked into the resale value by general familiarity with the mint. A hunk of silver is a hunk of silver. If you think you'll ever want to melt it down, or will have a savvy buyer to work with, then go for the lower premium to maximize ounces. For me it was never a question of this or that. It was yes and yes.
My hoard is mostly 10 OZ bars, some generic but have gotten in to Johnson Matthey so have expanded in to designer, i do have several tubes of ASE,S in B/U condition But you have to purpose everything, some people like to grade bullion, but i think that,s a mistake as most ASE,S are already high grade coming from The mint, so my advice treat a bullion coin for what it is, "Bullion" Just my two cents.
I have some silver maple leaf coins with milk spots. Since I’m more of a collector it is annoying to see them. I don’t have them in slabs. Supposedly the RCM is employing a new process to eliminate/minimize milk spots. Time will tell!!
Typically, the problem with fractionals, is that the premium is a bit more than if you get a full ounce. Hopefully if you shop around you’ll get a good deal