Overall, we prefer investing in gold over silver. Gold is generally less volatile, takes up considerably less storage space, and may be easier to sell during a financial crisis or market disruption.
Understanding the Spot Price
The official market price for gold and silver is called the spot price. Buyers normally pay a premium above spot, while sellers may receive slightly less than spot. Gold commonly has lower purchase premiums and resale discounts than silver, allowing it to retain more of its market value through a complete buy-and-sell cycle.
Gold
For physical gold, we recommend one-ounce Gold American Eagle coins or one-ounce Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins. Each has distinct security and marketability advantages.
Gold American Eagle
- Contains gold alloyed with silver and copper for added durability.
- The distinctive composition and recognized design can make counterfeiting more difficult.
- Widely recognized and generally easy to buy or sell in the United States.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
- Contains advanced security features designed to discourage counterfeiting.
- Widely recognized in international precious-metals markets.
- Produced as a high-purity, one-ounce gold coin.
Gold Bars
Gold bars are another way to purchase gold. However, some buyers may require bars to be tested or assayed when they are sold, which can add cost and delay. Bars may also be more difficult for an individual buyer to authenticate than well-known government-minted coins.
Silver
For physical silver, we recommend one-ounce Silver American Eagle coins. These coins are widely recognized and may be easier to sell than less familiar silver products during a market downturn.
Silver American Eagle
- Issued by the United States Mint and familiar to many precious-metals dealers.
- Generally easier for buyers to recognize and authenticate.
- Potentially more marketable during periods of economic uncertainty.
Silver Bars
Silver bars often carry a lower purchase premium than government-minted coins. The tradeoff is that a buyer may require testing or an assay to verify the bar's authenticity before completing a purchase.
Our Preferred Gold Choices
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins
- Gold American Eagle coins
Precious-metals prices, premiums, dealer policies, storage costs, and resale terms can change. Buyers should compare reputable dealers and understand all costs before completing a purchase.