Buillion Dealers ?

[granitebox]

For what its worth - everyone has an opinion but here are some dealers that sell US Mint products - the most liquid silver is either US Silver Eagles or US Gold Eagles - they are also commanding the highest premium over spot right now than most other products which reflects the demand for these product and its liquidity. There are a few dealers that sell US Mint products, this is only a short list.

IME gold (I don't have silver data) Eagles sold for about 4-5% over spot before the pandemic, then folks started to talk about the end of days and such and the premium has soared to around 8%, many folks expected this to be short lived but it has endured, there is finally some showing of lessening of demand as shown by the dropping prices of the dealers that are buying back Eagles. It hasn't really shown up in the retail market and its near impossible to time the market but just thought I would share.

Here are some dealers:

APMEX
MCM
SD Bullion
Pinehurst
JM Bullion

This is far from exhaustive but I've used APMEX extensively.

The other benefit of Eagles is the risk of fraud is much lower when you buy from one of the US Mint dealers.

As I said, everyone will have an opinion but for liquidity and such US Eagles (Gold and Silver) are the way to go. They also have set production numbers and some years have appreciated far more than spot, in other words you may have numismatic value (see 1996 Silver Eagles)

Best

[bigdog]

Appreciate everyone's feedback, will take suggestions before jumping in with any serious money !

Thanks again !

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by granitebox

For what its worth - everyone has an opinion but here are some dealers that sell US Mint products - the most liquid silver is either US Silver Eagles or US Gold Eagles - they are also commanding the highest premium over spot right now than most other products which reflects the demand for these product and its liquidity. There are a few dealers that sell US Mint products, this is only a short list.

IME gold (I don't have silver data) Eagles sold for about 4-5% over spot before the pandemic, then folks started to talk about the end of days and such and the premium has soared to around 8%, many folks expected this to be short lived but it has endured, there is finally some showing of lessening of demand as shown by the dropping prices of the dealers that are buying back Eagles. It hasn't really shown up in the retail market and its near impossible to time the market but just thought I would share.

Here are some dealers:

APMEX
MCM
SD Bullion
Pinehurst
JM Bullion

This is far from exhaustive but I've used APMEX extensively.

The other benefit of Eagles is the risk of fraud is much lower when you buy from one of the US Mint dealers.

As I said, everyone will have an opinion but for liquidity and such US Eagles (Gold and Silver) are the way to go. They also have set production numbers and some years have appreciated far more than spot, in other words you may have numismatic value (see 1996 Silver Eagles)

Best

The problem I have with eagles especially silver eagles is they are selling for 50% over spot price which is ridiculous in my opinion. If and when the sh*t hits the fan and if our dollar should ever collapse, that 1 oz silver eagle will have no more value than a 1 oz silver ingot... At least gold eagles are selling for on average 8-9% over spot which is much more tolerable.

I think precious metal investors need to ask themselves why are they buying...is it to use as a hedge against inflation therefore somewhat short term?...is it you believe doomsday is coming and our dollar will eventually collapse?...or are you doing it as a long term investment strategy?...

Silver is a very scary investment to me as the lows and highs are way more drastic than gold on a percentage basis. Gold not so much as it has been around since ancient Egypt and before as a source of money and bartering and has always held its own in the long term...

Just my thoughts...

Dan

[John Mercier]

If the economy collapses, silver isn't really worth anything.
No survivalist thinks in terms of silver.

Shelter, Energy, Water, and Food. Everything else is speculative.

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

If the economy collapses, silver isn't really worth anything.
No survivalist thinks in terms of silver.

Shelter, Energy, Water, and Food. Everything else is speculative.

I agree with you John, I think if the economy collapses, the things people will hoard is food #1, gasoline, water, etc. The supermarkets will be empty within a few days !

[ApS]

Silver is too volatile in price. Selling silver involves exact market timing.

Then again, gold coin values are being diluted with gold-plated tungsten.

This counterfeiting has been known for several years--even reputable dealers are being duped. "Gold" coins must be carefully measured, as the counterfeit's weight is imperceptibly close to gold. Even governments are fighting over their gold's purity:

https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/mark...up/ar-AA18gTC4

A few years ago I bought counterfeit Chinese "silver dollars". The Chinese mint did make genuine silver coins about the size of a U.S. silver dollar but featured a dragon on the front. Those I'd bought were advertised as silver-plated novelties! (All were strongly magnetic). At about 25¢ apiece, they made for great curios.

Being smaller, interesting, and attractive on their face, these counterfeits were happily exchanged for larger items at yard sales.

[granitebox]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

If the economy collapses, silver isn't really worth anything.
No survivalist thinks in terms of silver.

Shelter, Energy, Water, and Food. Everything else is speculative.

Unfortunately - regardless of this statement this isn't how the world works. Gold and Silver rise in times of uncertainty and folks view these as safe havens. Sometimes its better to just watch rather than apply logic. Gold and Silver are far more liquid than copper, or any other metals or gems.

There is an argument also for tax use of these assets - its a whole different discussion but the retail price of US Eagles and the premiums as a result of turmoil of last 3 years is clear.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

If the economy collapses, silver isn't really worth anything.
No survivalist thinks in terms of silver. Shelter, Energy, Water, and Food. Everything else is speculative.

The OP asked about investment, not survivalism; however, a silver coin might become the commodity to obtain an apple. IMHO, it's good to invest in both, but using one's "discretionary" funds.

If one starts early in their career, their 401(k) can be enriched by physical gold.
--and one's employer can match your contributions! It's tricky territory, though, since gold is inordinately taxed.

https://401ktogold.org/

Plus, the Government knows where the gold is--and can confiscate it--as it famously did during a major collapse:

https://schiffgold.com/key-gold-news...heist-of-1933/

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by ApS

The OP asked about investment, not survivalism; however, a silver coin might become the commodity to obtain an apple. IMHO, it's good to invest in both, but using one's "discretionary" funds.

If one starts early in their career, their 401(k) can be enriched by physical gold.
--and one's employer can match your contributions! It's tricky territory, though, since gold is inordinately taxed.

https://401ktogold.org/

Plus, the Government knows where the gold is--and can confiscate it--as it famously did during a major collapse:

https://schiffgold.com/key-gold-news...heist-of-1933/

I responded to collapse of civilization... not the value of an investment.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by granitebox

Unfortunately - regardless of this statement this isn't how the world works. Gold and Silver rise in times of uncertainty and folks view these as safe havens. Sometimes its better to just watch rather than apply logic. Gold and Silver are far more liquid than copper, or any other metals or gems.

There is an argument also for tax use of these assets - its a whole different discussion but the retail price of US Eagles and the premiums as a result of turmoil of last 3 years is clear.

Few metals and gems in a collapse would be worth much...
Survival training has never suggested that we gather from Day One as much silver, gold, other precious metals and gems.

The reality is a collapse is not uncertainty... those are two different things.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Few metals and gems in a collapse would be worth much...

Tell that to the people who survived and left Vietnam for other safer parts of Asia after the fall of Saigon, where gold and other precious metals and stones were the only accepted form of payment to smuggle people out of the country to safety.... or the financial crisis' that occurred in South Korea, Argentina and Venezuela... or worse yet the 2008 complete currency crash that occurred in Zimbabwe where only gold was accepted in exchange for food and other necessities...Yeah I know, that can't happen in the USA...

Dan

Edited to add...Here's an excellent 15 minute documentary that talks about the value of gold and how important it became in Vietnam after the fall of Saigon...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TI3rZSZj38

[John Mercier]

That would not equate to a collapse of the world economic system... it would simply be an uncertainty.

Precious metals and gems have been used throughout history to store and transport wealth due to compact size and being non-perishable.

Collapse would be more like the ''Walking Dead'' or ''Naked and Afraid''.

Survival training is very specific.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

That would not equate to a collapse of the world economic system... it would simply be an uncertainty.

Precious metals and gems have been used throughout history to store and transport wealth due to compact size and being non-perishable.

Collapse would be more like the ''Walking Dead'' or ''Naked and Afraid''.

Survival training is very specific.

So the complete collapse of a country doesn't count? Gotchya...

Dan

[granitebox]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

That would not equate to a collapse of the world economic system... it would simply be an uncertainty.

Precious metals and gems have been used throughout history to store and transport wealth due to compact size and being non-perishable.

Collapse would be more like the ''Walking Dead'' or ''Naked and Afraid''.

Survival training is very specific.

You keep changing the topic to fit your argument, its time to let this die - Gold and Silver can have multiple uses. If your opinion is it doesn't, you be you.

[John Mercier]

My opinion?
What survival course teaches the students to gather as much gold/silver/gems as possible?

Displacement happens often. People take whatever of value they can carry. But it isn't a collapse.

Look at the historic chart of gold/silver vs even a dynamic asset like stocks in either the Dow or S&P... you'll find the the ratio does invert during times of uncertainty, but they were not times of a collapse.

I haven't move the bar... a collapse is more than just an uncertainty.

[granitebox]

The topic was simply sources to invest in bullion.

The whole survivalist thing was introduced only as the explanation for the premium on the US Mint Silver Eagles - it will moderate for certain.

Its your opinion that folks don't need silver and it doesnt have value, the market would say otherwise.

Many reputable financial folks, including Warren Buffett would argue having silver (and gold) in your portfolio is good strategy.

In this case, your opinion about the value is flying in the face of what the market is telling us. Would I invest 25% of my savings in Silver or Gold, probably not the best choice but Silver isn't tied to the US Dollar - Metals are a reasonable hedge against market forces.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

That would not equate to a collapse of the world economic system... it would simply be an uncertainty.

Precious metals and gems have been used throughout history to store and transport wealth due to compact size and being non-perishable.

Collapse would be more like the ''Walking Dead'' or ''Naked and Afraid''.

Survival training is very specific.

]

Three things come to mind:

1) The quote, "When Wall Street sneezes, the rest of the world catches pneumonia".

2) Recent news when: "EMP" and "Balloon" are mentioned in the same sentence.

3) Old cars: They are immune to the effects of EMP, and are outpacing investments in both gold and silver! Mentioned earlier: https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ad.php?t=28373

You'll remember the Volkswagen "Thing" of the 1970s? It's a very basic automobile, reminiscent of the G.I. "Jeep". VW "Things" were selling just a couple of years ago in the low thousands. Yesterday, one was auctioned-off for $26,000!

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...gen-thing-101/