We’ll probably never live to see silver reach the peak it climbed during the boom years of the 80s when speculation ran rampant and the shiny metal shot to a record price of nearly $120 an ounce. Twenty years later, it had crashed to barely $6 only to peak again around $55 in April 2011 before slipping to $14 in late 2018. As we write this article, it has creeped back above $16, a 14% gain in about seven months.

So what does the future hold for the world’s second-favorite precious metal?

Speculating vs Investing
If you’re into bungee-jumping or skydiving, then the trill of speculation may be your cup of tea. A few people (mostly named Hunt) made a lot of money in silver in the 80s. A lot more took big hits. That’s because speculating is just another word for gambling, a venture in which the house nearly always comes out ahead. And as a wise man once said, speculating is tough, especially about the future.

Investing, on the other hand, takes a longer-term view, seeking a reasonable return over time rather than looking for a quick buck. Historically, those exercising discipline in buying silver have been rewarded for their patience.

Collecting as Insurance
It’s never a bad idea to hedge your bets and when it comes to silver, buying silver coins adds another layer of insurance. Besides the inherent value of silver in the coins, well chosen investment grade coins have a collectible, or numismatic, value too. Even while the bullion price of the metal fluctuates, collectible coins typically hold a value well beyond the amount of metal they contain.

Exercising Your Best Judgment
While we’re not in the business of giving investment advice, we’re bullish on silver in the long term. If you agree, The Great American Coin Company® offers a variety of ways add silver to your portfolio.
We have silver coins and silver bullion in sizes to suit any investing or gift-giving budget. Visit our website to see the many ways we can solve your individual needs.