Silver Stackers

We could ask anyone at the recent Melbourne meetup I guess since GP & CK did a presentation on fake PMs. - Here's the ref: http://forums.silverstackers.com/messag … ml#p288673

I'd be interested to know as well.

I go bullion only, no collectible numismatics, though I have some bullion coinage that commands a (current) premium. I think both are valid forms of the precious metal class, from what little I know and plus exposure to gold, you then have a few hedged scenarios for the fiat debacle and confusion.

Who would pay $55 an oz for silver?

I have ,I have even paid more
Your point is ?

Prefer coins over bars. Bars only good as makeshift weapons or tools.

Everyone knows Chinese Dragons are better than Perth Mint's, and worth it. 
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Last edited by Water&Food (2012-01-31 19:52:49)

I prefer coins over bars. True, bars usually have lower premiums, however:

Coins are significantly harder to fake than bars.
Coins are more transportable (internationally) than bars. (E.g. Countries that restrict the import/export of precious metals are sometimes more lenient towards legal tender coins that contain precious metals, than bars alone)
Coins are more internationally recognizable than bars.
Coins can appreciate over time (e.g. 30years from now, a 1KG Bar will have almost zero numismatic value, whereas even a Maple/American Silver Eagle may have some numismatic value).(*exception noted)
Coins can usually be visually assayed, whereas many bars will be tested (fire, acid, drill, etc)
Coins are harder to restrict/repossess than bullion.
Coins have more history and discussion points.

But as Water&Food stated, bars make good makeshift weapons

*There are some exceptions to the bullion bar not having any additional value. Some silver taels/sychees (bullion bars) that are a few hundred years old (or more) often sell for astronomical prices. But I doubt modern bars will ever achieve these premiums.

Last edited by yennus (2012-01-31 20:29:03)

That's a good way to evaluate the premium.

a bar can be useful when one of your table legs is wobbly.

2000 10oz Silver Dragon...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2000-10-OZ-N … 2eb9bccaff

Last edited by adrenalin (2012-02-01 01:57:25)

OR Me and people I sell to (now to put it in practice (stoopid 10oz kooks!))

You pay $12.50 premium for a 2012 10oz dragon over a 10oz Perth Mint bar (Goldstackers spread).

By sacrificing 0.4oz silver every 10oz you are protected in case silver spot price does not go parabolic (to $1000+).

Historically speaking, 10oz lunars have outperformed 10oz bars in terms of their premiums over spot.

There are no older year 10oz lunars which are only $12.50 above the price of a Perth Mint bar.

Actually that is completely wrong. Perth Mint sells some crappy colored numismatics for 200-300% over spot and soon after release they are worth maybe spot + 20%, if you get a buyer that is. Well maybe spot +100%, but you're still losing.

An article was posted on here recently about the Royal Mint and their ripoff numismatic issues.

The point of coins is that you buy bullion coins with the potential of it becoming numismatic in the future ($$$$!), if (big if, even koalas do) it doesn't become numismatic worst case scenario you still can sell it as bullion at same prices as bars. You lose the $12.50 premium but the silver spot price should more than compensate $1.25/oz premium.

THAT is insurance.

Last edited by fishball (2012-02-01 10:47:16)

I bought 3 x 10 oz dragons worked out to be $36 per oz Inc postage.

Don't understand why people would pay $450/$500 for them as seen on eBay.

People were paying $360 for Perth mint bars when they were selling them for $300

Last edited by No1joey (2012-02-01 12:02:25)

You didn't buy generic bars?!

Throwing your money away!

People are diverse, they buy silver for a variety of reasons, if we all bought silver for the same reason there would only be one product available.  Eventually the mints will see what is popular and what is not, and they will kill the duds, until then it is up to you to decide what to buy.

For the first two years of stacking all I would buy were round 50 cents and 50% pre dec, wouldn't touch numis or bars or gold, five years later I have them all in my stack and continue to add them as appropriate, spot increases = buy numis, spot decreases = buy bars, silver does nothing = buy other investments.

It takes a while but your views on silver do change, particulalry the longer you are on this site, I even bought a Panda last year (gave it to a kids daughter as a Christmas present but it is a start)

EDIT eBay is a law unto intself, I think most eBayers are lazy and treat it as a one stop shop "I once bought a cheap second hand t-shirt on eBay = everything on eBay is a bargain"

I saw "Touching North", an Andy Goldsworthy book on eBay for around £80+. A quick Google and I found an art gallery up in Scotland selling them for £35, they had them on the shelf for ages, I bought three of them and the guy on the phone even said he thought he could probably get a lot more for them if he stuck them on eBay (no idea why he didn't, just an employee I guess)

The sellers have to add at least 10% in order to make a profit otherwise they end up losing through paypal and eBay fees, this seems to set the low price for the all Buy it Now sales.  The rest is just eBayers getting caught up in the frenzy.

Last edited by Jislizard (2012-02-01 12:14:41)