Best Silver Coins to Buy for Investment: Your Complete Guide to Building a Precious Metals Portfolio

As concerns about inflation and market volatility dominate, silver coins have emerged as one of the most accessible ways to protect wealth in these uncertain times. The coins offer a combination of affordability, government backing, and a satisfactory performance record in times of trouble. In contrast to the mutual funds holding a slice of the stock market, they make them a better prospect for the kind of worry-free investing that has been the trade’s hallmark.

But with dozens of silver coins available from mints worldwide, choosing the best silver coins to buy for investment can feel overwhelming. Should you concentrate on the American Eagles or the Canadian Maple Leafs? What about options less well-known, like the Austrian Philharmonic or the Mexican Libertad? Each coin offers unique benefits, and understanding these differences is critical for making informed investment decisions.

This is a complete and thorough guide that cuts through the confusion of which silver coins to invest in. It analyzes the top investment-grade silver coins, and for each, it discusses its liquidity, government backing, and long-term value. The write-up throughout is clear and concise, and all of the above makes this not only a great resource to have but also one that is truly enjoyable to read.

The 12 Best Silver Coins to Buy for Investment

1. American Silver Eagle

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .999 fine silver (99.9%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.103 grams)
• Face Value: USD 1
• Annual Mintage: 15-25+ million (varies by year)
• Country: United States

The American Silver Eagle stands as the undisputed champion of silver investment coins. Since its introduction in 1986, this coin has become the most widely traded silver bullion coin in the world. The iconic Walking Liberty design on the obverse and the heraldic eagle on the reverse create instant recognition among dealers and collectors alike.

The Silver Eagle is highly liquid in North America, making it easy to buy and sell with low spreads. Its weight and purity are guaranteed by the U.S. government, and it is also considered legal tender, providing extra security for investors.

The higher premiums of the Silver Eagle compared to some alternatives are typical, running about $4-$6 over spot price. Those premiums tend to be very stable, and in some periods (like when demand is high), they can even increase, which is a nice touch. 

2. Canadian Silver Maple Leaf

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .9999 fine silver (99.99%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.1 grams)
• Face Value: CAD 5
• Annual Mintage: 20-30+ million
• Country: Canada

The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is the purest coin you can get, with its silver being .9999 fine silver. As far as silver bullion coins go, that’s the highest purity you’ll find. And in terms of the actual coins you’re getting, they have a stunning finish, thanks to the Royal Canadian Mint. 

The latest silver coins offer improved security features to protect against counterfeiting. One significant advancement is the use of micro-engraved privy marks and radial lines, addressing concerns about sophisticated counterfeit techniques.

Canadian Maple Leafs usually trade at slightly lower premiums than American Eagles, yet they possess a higher level of metal purity. This combination of factors gives them an excellent price-to-value ratio. They are our favorite coins to recommend for investing because they are widely recognized as being of high quality and are very liquid.

3. British Silver Britannia

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .999 fine silver (99.9%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams)
• Face Value: GBP 2
• Annual Mintage: Unlimited (millions annually)
• Country: United Kingdom

Britain’s Royal Mint combines centuries of minting excellence with modern security features in the Silver Britannia. The image that you see there of Britannia, the female personification of Britain, has graced these coins since 1997. That design receives periodic updates to maintain freshness and security.

In recent years, four security features have been added that make the Britannia one of the most secure silver coins on the market. They are:

1. A latent image that switches from a padlock to Britannia’s trident when viewed from different angles
2. Surface animation that creates movement as the coin is tilted
3. Micro-text that just about any normal person would have trouble reading
4. Tincture lines that are near impossible to reproduce, even with modern technology.

For investors tied to Europe or the Commonwealth, Britain’s present wonderful regional liquidity. The Royal Mint’s reputation for quality is over 1,100 years old, offering unmatched institutional support. Premiums on the coins range between Eagles and Maple Leafs, making them a pretty attractive option.

4. Mexican Silver Libertad

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .999 fine silver (99.9%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.11 grams)
• Face Value: No face value (legal tender based on silver content)
• Annual Mintage: 500,000-1 million
• Country: Mexico

The Mexican Silver Libertad shines with an impressive appearance and a low-mintage status. Its obverse is graced with the iconic image of the Winged Victory statue that’s part of Mexico City’s Independence Monument; its reverse features the Mexican coat of arms, set before a background of historical versions of that same emblem.

• Libertads are appealing to investors due to their limited production.
• Annual mintages are usually under one million coins, leading to natural scarcity.
• This scarcity can increase premiums, often around $5-8 over spot price.
• Investors who wait may see more appreciation beyond the silver content itself.

The Mexican Mint, Casa de Moneda de México, has the honor of being the oldest mint in the Americas, in business since 1535. This long-standing company, together with the coin’s beautiful design and limited mintage, makes a strong case for considering the Libertad as not only an impressive piece of investment bullion but also as a thing of beauty.

5. Austrian Silver Philharmonic

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .999 fine silver (99.9%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams)
• Face Value: EUR 1.50
• Annual Mintage: 6-8 million
• Country: Austria

Celebrating the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Austrian Silver Philharmonic is a remarkable silver bullion coin. Its designs are so classy and evocative of music-making that it has captured the hearts (and capital) of coin buyers. So, even if you don’t plan to make much music (or any music) in the next few years, the silver Philharmonic still might be quite an elegant investment.

Investors in Europe prefer Philharmonics because they are priced in euros and come from the reputable Austrian Mint. Among major silver bullion coins, Philharmonics usually have the lowest premiums, typically around $2-4 above the spot price of silver. This competitive pricing makes Philharmonics a great option for investing in silver.

The 800-year history of the Austrian Mint provides solid institutional support, and the coin’s popularity all over Europe guarantees superb liquidity. For American investors, the Philharmonic offers portfolio diversification and access to European markets, coupled with the assurance that this is government-backed bullion.

6. Australian Silver Kangaroo

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .9999 fine silver (99.99%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams)
• Face Value: AUD 1
• Annual Mintage: Unlimited
• Country: Australia

The Silver Kangaroo from the Perth Mint is a well-crafted Australian coin. It offers a mix of stability and collectibility. Each year since 2011, the Perth Mint has released a new design for the Silver Kangaroo, totaling five designs so far. The common theme among these designs is the Kangaroo, which remains a stable choice even in times of economic uncertainty.

• Security features include a micro-laser-engraved letter “A” that is hard to see without magnification.
• This feature helps prevent counterfeiting while keeping the coin visually appealing.
• The Perth Mint is known for its quality and innovation, enhancing the credibility of these coins.

• Australian Kangaroos have moderate premiums, sitting between Philharmonics (lower cost) and Eagles (higher premium).
• They offer high purity, government backing, and reasonable pricing, appealing to quality-focused investors.
• There is strong demand for these coins in Asian and Pacific markets.

7. Chinese Silver Panda

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .999 fine silver (99.9%)
• Weight: 30 grams (0.9645 troy ounces)
• Face Value: 10 Yuan
• Annual Mintage: 8-10 million
• Country: China

Chinese Silver Pandas are attractive for their yearly changing panda designs and unique weight of 30 grams instead of the typical one troy ounce. This metric weight is appealing to investors in metric-using countries and adds a unique touch to any investment portfolio.

The silver coins from the People’s Bank of China change designs each year, making them collectible. This can increase their prices and attract some investors. 

Quality control from the Chinese mints has improved dramatically over recent decades, with modern Pandas featuring consistent strikes and attractive finishes. For investors interested in geographic diversification or exposure to Asian markets, Pandas provide an officially backed option from the world’s second-largest economy.

8. South African Silver Krugerrand

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .999 fine silver (99.9%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams)
• Face Value: 1 Rand
• Annual Mintage: 500,000-1 million
• Country: South Africa

The Silver Krugerrand is a relatively new player in the silver bullion market, having debuted in 2017 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gold Krugerrand. It features the same design as the gold version, which is a profile view of an antelope that leaps in.

Even though it is a newer entry on this list, the Silver Krugerrand benefits from the brand equity of the gold version built over five decades. The South African Mint’s know-how and standing in the industry directly translate to this silver offering. Mintages are lower than for Eagles and Maple Leafs, creating a kind of scarcity that may appeal to long-term investors.

Silver Krugerrands normally have premiums that are, on average, in the middle range, around $4-5 over spot. The combination of reasonably-priced, strongly-branded, and government-backed products makes them an appealing option for investors who want something slightly different but still mainstream and liquid.

9. Australian Silver Kookaburra

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .999 fine silver (99.9%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams)
• Face Value: AUD 1
• Annual Mintage: 500,000 (typical)
• Country: Australia

The Silver Kookaburra series from the Perth Mint is popular among collectors and investors. It features a new kookaburra design each year, similar to proof coins. However, the Kookaburra has a more affordable premium compared to proof coins, despite having a similar price per ounce.

Kookaburra coins are attractive because they balance between pure bullion and semi-numismatic appeal. They’re affordable for investors, but their unique designs and limited quantities can increase their value over time. Older versions of these coins tend to sell for much more than their initial prices.

For investors willing to pay slightly higher initial premiums (typically $5-7 over spot), Kookaburras offer potential upside from both silver price movements and collectible demand. The Perth Mint’s quality and Australia’s government backing provide the security investors need while adding an element of numismatic interest.

10. Morgan Silver Dollars (90% Silver)

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .900 fine silver (90%)
• Weight: 26.73 grams total (0.77344 troy ounces of pure silver)
• Face Value: USD 1
• Mintage Years: 1878-1904, 1921, 2021-present
• Country: United States

Morgan Silver Dollars hold a unique place in American coin history. These large coins contain about 3/4 of an ounce of pure silver, making them appealing to investors, especially as the dollar’s value declines. Additionally, their widespread recognition boosts buyer interest, unlike many other vintage silver coins.

Most investors focus on the original 90% silver Morgans for their lower premiums and historical authenticity. These coins trade based on their silver content plus a modest premium for their collectible appeal.

For investors interested in American history alongside silver investing, Morgans provides an ideal combination. They’re large enough to feel substantial, widely recognized, and available in quantities suitable for accumulation. During periods of high demand, Morgans can see premium spikes that benefit patient investors.

11. 90% “Junk” Silver Coins

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .900 fine silver (90%)
• Weight: Varies by denomination
• Face Value: Dimes, quarters, half dollars
• Mintage Years: 1964 and earlier
• Country: United States

Dimes, quarters, and half dollars from the U.S. before 1965 provide the lowest-premium method of investing in silver. These coins, from an era long past, are current in trade and are used in bulk as money, albeit at their face value. These circulated coins trade in bulk based on face value multiples, with each dollar of face value containing around 0.715 ounces of pure silver.

The benefits of 90% silver coins consist of their immediate identifiability, their being small units, the size of which makes them appropriate for barter, and their having the most favorable premiums in the physical silver market. In normal times, junk silver trades at or very close to spot price, making it just about the perfect vehicle for investors who want to accumulate as many ounces of silver as they can.

12. Armenian Silver Noah’s Ark

Quick Stats:

• Composition: .999 fine silver (99.9%)
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams)
• Face Value: 500 Dram
• Annual Mintage: 500,000-700,000
• Country: Armenia

The Armenian Silver Noah’s Ark represents an emerging option that’s gaining traction among savvy investors. Produced by Geiger Edelmetalle for the Central Bank of Armenia, these coins feature exceptional quality and unique security features. The biblical theme and distinctive design set them apart from more common offerings.

These coins also carry historical significance, as they celebrate the story of Noah’s Ark, a symbol of hope and renewal. This connection to a well-known narrative enhances their desirability, particularly among collectors and those interested in religious artifacts. The limited mintage further adds to their allure, as investors often seek out rare items that can appreciate over time.

As the demand for silver continues to rise, these coins represent a unique opportunity to invest in both precious metal and cultural heritage.

What Makes the Best Silver Coins for Investment

Not all silver coins are created equal when it comes to investment potential. The best investment-grade silver coins share several key characteristics that set them apart from collectible or commemorative pieces.

Purity standards matter significantly. Look for coins containing .999 or .9999 fine silver, which means they’re 99.9% or 99.99% pure silver. This high purity ensures maximum value and makes the coins acceptable to dealers and investors globally. Some older coins, like pre-1965 U.S. dimes and quarters, contain only 90% silver but remain popular due to their recognizability and lower premiums.

Government guarantees your investment. Sovereign mints attach their names to every coin they produce, placing extensive quality controls and counterfeiting deterrents on their work. This makes the mints themselves a buyer’s market for confidence. You don’t have to worry about the business you’re dealing with, because their reputation is at stake with every coin.

Market recognition directly affects how easily one can sell his or her coins. The most liquid silver coins are those that dealers and investors worldwide instantly recognize and trust. This recognition translates to tighter bid-ask spreads and better prices when it’s time to sell.

Reasonable premiums over the spot price of silver help maximize your investment. While all silver coins carry some premium above the raw metal value, the best investment coins balance quality and recognition with affordability. Paying excessive premiums for limited editions or proof coins rarely makes sense from a pure investment perspective.

Sum Up

Investing in silver coins is a smart way to own precious metals. Top options include the American Silver Eagle and the Armenian Noah’s Ark, offering government backing, high purity, and global recognition. Choices like 90% junk silver provide low premiums, while coins like Pandas and Kookaburras offer collectible value. A diverse silver coin portfolio supports wealth preservation and growth, especially during economic uncertainty.

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