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Fears of inflation, an influx of retail traders and an impending shortage have all driven up demand for silver in recent years. There are various ways to invest in this precious metal, but many people have found themselves asking, “What are the best silver coins to buy right now?”
After all, these coins appeal to investors and collectors while offering most of the same benefits as silver bullion bars. And since the U.S. Mint recently could not meet the demand for these coins, it’s apparent that people have found a new love for silver currency.
Of course, not all these coins are created equally. Each can contain varying amounts of “the poor man’s gold,” and some even have values higher than their precious metal content. If you ask the experts about the best silver coins to buy, though, you’ll likely hear about the following.
Best Silver Coins & Rounds from America
The United States certainly has no shortage of silver coin options. Until 1964, even the quarters and dimes that Americans carried around contained a decent amount of the precious metal. If you’re looking for the real standouts in a crowded field, the following coins fit the bill.
American Eagle 1 oz Silver Coin – Face Value $1 USD
When discussing the best silver coins to buy in America, the conversation has to start with the country’s official silver bullion round. The American Eagle silver coin was first released in 1986 and contains an ounce of 999 pure silver.
It features Walking Liberty on the obverse and the American eagle on the reverse. Its weight, content and purity are all guaranteed by the U.S. Mint. This means you’re not only getting a beautiful silver coin, but you also know its authenticity is beyond reproach.
Sunshine Mint Silver Round – No Face Value
The best silver coins in America come with a premium, and this is true of any item containing precious metal. If you purchase the Sunshine Mint Silver Round, though, the premium you pay is typically less. That’s because they’re not legal tender and have similar premiums to silver bars.
The round features the company’s name along with its silver content on the obverse. The bald eagle on the reverse is a reminder that this silver bullion is American through and through.
Best Silver Coins from Canada
Canada produces more than 1,000 tonnes of silver every year, and this allows them to create some of the most popular silver bullion coins among retailers. They’re so committed to the process that they’ve introduced new anti-counterfeit technology known as Bullion DNA.
When a country takes what they do that seriously, it’s not surprising they offer some of the best silver coins in the world.
Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coin – Face Value $5 CAD
The Royal Canadian Mint has issued a Canadian Silver Maple Leaf every year since 1988. These coins are one ounce of 9999 pure silver — making them one of the purest examples of bullion in the world.
Although the mint adds slight variations to the coin every year, you can expect to see a maple leaf on the obverse and Queen Elizabeth II on the reverse. It also has a low mintage number compared to other silver rounds, so its demand has remained high for years.
Canadian Polar Bear and Cub Silver Coin – Face Value $8 CAD
With 1.5 ounces of 9999 pure silver, the Canadian Polar Bear and Cub silver coin has one of the purest precious metal contents of modern bullion coins. It features Queen Elizabeth II on one side and a majestic polar bear caring for her cub on the other.
Best Silver Coins from Austria
During the Middle Ages, Austria was home to what they dubbed “the mother of all mines.” The silver mine in Schwaz was the principal global supplier of silver in the 15th century. While it might not be what it was in its heyday, it no doubt played a part in introducing Austrian silver coins to the world.
Austrian Philharmonic Silver Coin – €1.5
The Austrian Mint has been in operation since 1194, and the Vienna Orchestra of Austria dates back to 1842. This makes it safe to say that the Austrian Philharmonic silver coin is a beautiful representation of history. And due to the many instruments it features, this coin definitely calls out to music lovers.
The coin contains an ounce of 999 pure silver and has been available since 2008. It’s long been one of the best silver coins because of its high demand and recognizability. This means the coin is incredibly liquid, so you should have no problem selling it if that time ever comes.
Best Silver Coins from China
China produces more than two times the amount of silver that comes out of America every year. This places the country squarely in the top three producers around the globe. Plenty of what’s mined goes toward industrial uses, but they also put out a couple of beautiful coins with their massive supply.
Chinese Panda Silver Coin – Face Value ¥10
Featuring the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the bear the country is best known for, the Chinese Panda silver coin receives love from the world over. A lot of this love is because of the cute bear, but the ounce of 999 pure silver likely doesn’t hurt either.
Chinese Panda 30 Gram Silver Coin – Face Value ¥10
Silver Pandas contained about 31.1 grams until 2016. At that point, the 30 Gram Chinese Panda hit the market. It has the same face value as its predecessor, but like every year’s release, there is a different panda design featured.
While both coins contain the same purity of silver, make sure you pay attention to the weight. A difference may seem minuscule but can quickly add up. Even with the slightly lower precious metal content, it’s still one of the best silver coins to buy right now.
Best Rare and Collectable Silver Coins
Any coin containing silver has an intrinsic value based on its metal content. However, some currencies are more valuable than the metal of which they’re made. While these rare silver coins might not be worth their weight in gold, they’re certainly highly desirable.
Colorized American Silver Eagle – Face Value $1
Coming out of a collaboration between the U.S. and Perth mints, the colorized American Silver Eagle is a beautiful example of how artistry can add to the value of a coin. It’s one of the few colorized American Eagles on the market, and it contains an ounce of 999 pure silver.
Lady Liberty is adorned in red, white and blue reaching out to a beautiful yellow sun. If you’re looking for the best silver coin to hype up your sense of patriotism, this is definitely the way to go.
Monarch Precious Metals Dragon vs Viking – No Face Value
You can’t use every silver coin you buy as legal tender, but that certainly doesn’t mean they don’t have value. This is nowhere clearer than with the Monarch Precious Metals Dragon vs Viking round. It’s a full 10 ounces of 999 pure silver, so those who own it have a major store of value.
The round features valiant Vikings fighting a massive dragon on the obverse and the dragon in high relief on the reverse. When you’re showing it off, you might forget to mention that it’s among the best silver rounds in the world. That’s because this is a pure work of art!
Let Your Love of Silver Guide Your Decision!
People call silver “the poor man’s gold” due to the price’s tendency to fluctuate with the yellow metal. In reality, investors from all levels are now piling into the less expensive investment. Everyone still views gold as the more valuable of the two, but a potential silver shortage could easily drive up prices.
If you’re still deciding on the best silver coins to buy, it’s important to make your decision quick! Dealers continue to have issues meeting retail demand. That means if you’ve found something you love, acting fast is the only way to ensure it’s not sold out when you check back.
At Silver Gold Bull, we strive to keep each of the coins mentioned in this guide in stock at all times. To view the best silver coins we offer, click here and start scrolling. We’re certain you’ll find something you love!
