I get the concept of rare or older bullion being more valuable so I will not start this topic off with why is Engelhard worth more. Thats a given considering its not made anymore. That leads me to the question why are other silver bullion names more popular then others? Lets go through some of the names. You have Johnson Matthey as one example that always seems to carry a higher premium. Then you have a name like Silvertowne who not as many people put in that same category when it comes to popularity. Is it about the design, is it about the reputation? You have NTR/OPH which many consider to be a generic name. The point is if I am correct is that all the silver I named has the same thing going. They are all .999 pure silver bullion. So what makes a world coin that is 1 oz of silver cost $20 more over spot for example then another? What's the old saying, it's only worth what people are willing to pay for it .... So how did certain names become more wanted then others? Ever watch pawnstars, ever notice that Rick always asks the people who are selling how did you come up with that price? The answer is always well I see them selling for a specific price online. Ever here his answer??? Is that the price it sold for, or is that the price they are asking for. Same point is made with this when it comes to deciding what silver should be worth. Ok, this was my ramble for the day, but in all seriousness, you have to wonder who determines the market value...???
The buyers. Sure, the sellers can ask what price they could hope to get, but the buyers ( you, me, and all others) have to decide if the premium is worth it. You can look at the design ( if any) and think how neat to have a dragon on it, and pay $20 more than bullion price. Secondly, since few who buy bullion can actually determine if they received what they paid for, they are paying a premium for 'apparent' genuine objects by buying names they have heard others mention ( A yodel call to counterfeiters) around the world. If you are buying for the esthetics or for a gift or such, the sellers set the premium high as they are betting on dragon coin lovers. Bars with well known names and reputation go for better than generic rounds or bars from lesser respected. So , you the buyers, eventually set the premiums by our intensity to buy.
that's easy some people buy a bullion coin from every year of each country. I used to buy China pandas when they were $30.00 now they're $60.00 at my local coin shop. yup I will not pay that price ever. yes they are beautiful bullion but not worth it to me anymore. some bullion is more recognized than others and why it's worth alittle more. I had 1 pawn shop deny buying any bullion from mexico of which I thought was rediculous. its silver people ugh. but they bought my american silver eagles and silver maple leafs with out questioning their authenticity. I see old hand poured silver bars going for way more money on Ebay. 10 oz Johnson Mathey's go for way more money than just the bullion value. that sucks because I think they look so awesome. I always wanted 1 of those but do not want to pay more than it's worth bullion wise.
My 2 cents worth, not that I'm an expert but I think that if someone was counterfeiting Silver Eagles or Silver Maples they would have to deal with the implied Gov't. Silver Bars are as stated what collectors will pay for the "name" I like Silver Towne, Modern Coin Mart and Apmex bars. I think that the Sunshine Mint produces many of these companies bars which is a reputable mint. That said there is nothing at all governing silver bars "buyer beware" If you buy a bar and it is plated your loss. I too will not pay a premium for a popular bar (pamp,englehard, ect.), Silver Bullion is just that, but it's nice to have some around !
No matter how you paint it, either bar, round, etc, as previous stated it is all .999 silver that we are talking about. Then the question is, when it comes time to sell, the dealer is going to base what he pays on the spot price. Is he really going to give you 'that much more' if it's a 70 that you paid a premiun for, or are you better off not buying a graded coin at all?
