New here with a question...

[nepenthean]

Hello all. This week has inaugurated my precious metals venture; in fact, today my first purchase from apmex was shipped! As an admitted neophyte, I have a couple questions I hope some of the experienced contributors to this board could answer.

Much appreciation my Ag compatriots!

First, one poster made mention of http://www.sunshinesilver.com/. They have a seemly price for 20 ASEs, which I am strongly considering. Has anyone had experience with them? Prompt shipping? Quality product?

From what I have gleaned from this board, it seems the government minted, easily recognizable coinage is the best? Are there any sites to which I should give a wide berth?

Thanks.

[Argyria]

'Are there any sites to which I should give a wide berth?'

Comex, LOL. You'd be better off with Chinese milk.

[bgosche]

I have never purchased directly from Sunshine but they are a very well known, reputable company. I do own some of their rounds which are nice.

[fullsafe]

Get the rounds ----you'll most likely never get much beyond spot for the Eagles when you sell them , so why pay the premium. The object at this point should be volume/number of ounces.

[Homer]

Get the rounds ----you'll most likely never get much beyond spot for the Eagles when you sell them , so why pay the premium. The object at this point should be volume/number of ounces.

Excellent advice!

[Ardent Listener]

Get the rounds ----you'll most likely never get much beyond spot for the Eagles when you sell them , so why pay the premium. The object at this point should be volume/number of ounces.


Excellent advice!

I agree, even if you do get your premium back when you sell that premium money would be better served now buying more silver with the money instead. The exception is when you can buy Silver Eagles for the same price as rounds. I have recently bought about 40 circulated Eagles that way. Some are beat up while others are in nice shape but common dates.

[goldminer]

Be careful. Sunshine calls their 1 oz. Ag round a "Silver Eagle" because of the Eagle it depicts. The round has no date and no face value; it also does NOT state "United States of America".

Check that what you are looking at is one of Sunshine's privately produced rounds as opposed to a U.S. mint produced "American Silver Eagle". "U.S."/"American" (ASE) silver Eagles are dated, they have a face value of $1.00 and state "United States of America".

Don't pay and ASE price for Sunshine rounds.

[nepenthean]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.



I read on one site, "Silver round purchases should ideally be proof sets or at least Brilliant Uncirculated. They should come sealed against tarnish"

Are these legitimate statements?

[Gen Ripper]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.



I read on one site, "Silver round purchases should ideally be proof sets or at least Brilliant Uncirculated. They should come sealed against tarnish"

Are these legitimate statements?

NO. That is purely the advice of some one trying to sell you a proof. You pay a huge premium for 'fancy' coins, many times the premium is more then double the value of the silver it is made of. At that point are you really buying silver or a collectible? Im a total novice in the silver world but this is my take.

Sne thing that is repeated is that "Silver is Silver", and that makes sense to me. Does it matter that it has a double proof, burnished half cameo with a twist?

[auptag]

Ha ha....I read that EXACT line when I first started my research. I even remembered exactly what site (http://www.goldprice.org/buy-silver/2006/01/silver-rounds.html) cause it stuck in my mind so much.

From what I've read so far, sound like a bunch of hooey. From all I've read so far, seems most here would say silver is silver is silver.... I have read a few opinions stating that silver is better if it is guaranteed by a government and/or a well recognized brand and/or in good condition. Seems to depend several different camps on this issue...depending on whether you are investing for SHTF or retirement purposes (or BOTH). And I have seen some pics of some FUGLY bars on here as well. I have not formulated my full opinion on this yet, but am taking everyone's advice of "diversifying" and having different types. So far though I only own and have ordered the SHINY stuff. I think when I get ready to order again I am really going to look into some circulated ASEs, Phils, generic rounds, etc. or whatever else looks like a decent deal at the time.

My situation might be a little complicated because so far I am still incorporating (much against the advice of others) a bit of my coin collecting background. I figure if I can both acquire silver for premiums that are not TOO high and have the possibility of it having an ADDED numismatic value...I'm covering my arse on two fronts. It already happened once as my purchase of 2008 proof ASEs currently has a numismatic value far in excess of it's silver value. If silver drops, there's still numismatic to fall back on. If numismatic value drops (don't know how it could), there's still silver value to fall back on. Incorporating my old hobby into my new investments is going to be fun and challenging (and frustrating?)...but that is my own decision.

I probably won't take that much beyond ASEs though. As far as my recent/future purchases are concerned....SIS. Granted, I *LIKE* the shiny stuff, but I feel less guilty touching circulated coins and rounds. :) Plus it just feels good to get MORE silver for your dollah dollah bill. What's a few nics and scratches matter when IT GETS MELTED?!

Just a view from another silver newbie.

[nepenthean]

thanks for the words.

[fullsafe]

Ha ha....I read that EXACT line when I first started my research. I even remembered exactly what site (http://www.goldprice.org/buy-silver/2006/01/silver-rounds.html) cause it stuck in my mind so much.

From what I've read so far, sound like a bunch of hooey. From all I've read so far, seems most here would say silver is silver is silver.... I have read a few opinions stating that silver is better if it is guaranteed by a government and/or a well recognized brand and/or in good condition. Seems to depend several different camps on this issue...depending on whether you are investing for SHTF or retirement purposes (or BOTH). And I have seen some pics of some FUGLY bars on here as well. I have not formulated my full opinion on this yet, but am taking everyone's advice of "diversifying" and having different types. So far though I only own and have ordered the SHINY stuff. I think when I get ready to order again I am really going to look into some circulated ASEs, Phils, generic rounds, etc. or whatever else looks like a decent deal at the time.

My situation might be a little complicated because so far I am still incorporating (much against the advice of others) a bit of my coin collecting background. I figure if I can both acquire silver for premiums that are not TOO high and have the possibility of it having an ADDED numismatic value...I'm covering my arse on two fronts. It already happened once as my purchase of 2008 proof ASEs currently has a numismatic value far in excess of it's silver value. If silver drops, there's still numismatic to fall back on. If numismatic value drops (don't know how it could), there's still silver value to fall back on. Incorporating my old hobby into my new investments is going to be fun and challenging (and frustrating?)...but that is my own decision.

I probably won't take that much beyond ASEs though. As far as my recent/future purchases are concerned....SIS. Granted, I *LIKE* the shiny stuff, but I feel less guilty touching circulated coins and rounds. :) Plus it just feels good to get MORE silver for your dollah dollah bill. What's a few nics and scratches matter when IT GETS MELTED?!

Just a view from another silver newbie.

Diversity is the key but I have friends that don't buy anything but numismatic coins. To each ! I don't think you will find much nummie value in ASEs unless you go to 96s or really expensive coins. The main coin in silver seems to be the Morgans and CC coins in particular. Morgans have a terrific history of the wild west and a cult following coupled with some real rarity issues that make them the place to go for a collector.