When it comes to precious metals, gold is considered king. However, silver is a universally valued precious metal that has maintained its intrinsic worth through economic ups and downs. Silver’s current price is about 1/86 that of gold, making it an attractive and low-risk option for diversifying portfolios.
Rising demand for silver means significant gain potential for this shiny white metal. If you want to purchase physical silver at low premiums, bars are a great option. The best silver bars to buy come from reputable brands, contain high-purity silver, and are IRA-eligible.
Below, we’ve highlighted 10 silver bars that enjoy well-deserved popularity.
1. Asahi Silver Bars
Asahi is a Japanese refinery that has broken into the global precious metals market in the past decade. The company offers cast and minted .999 fine silver bars in various popular sizes, including 1 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kg. Asahi products typically feature the company’s distinctive geometric design.
Precious metal buyers value Asahi bars for their quality and global recognition. The refinery uses a trusted manufacturing process, and its bars are eligible for precious metal IRAs. Asahi products are often available at better prices than other options.
2. Scottsdale Mint Silver Bars
Scottsdale Mint, also known as Scottsdale Silver, is a precious metal giant based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Casper, Wyoming. It partners with central banks and wholesale distributors.
The mint offers a large variety of .999 IRA-eligible silver bars in different shapes and sizes, stamped with the company’s distinctive lion emblem. Investors like the aesthetic appeal and high trustworthiness of Scottsdale Mint’s bars, coins, and rounds.
The mint’s stackable silver bars are among its most popular products. These bars feature interlocking edges that are perfect for stacking in deposit boxes.
3. Johnson Matthey Silver Bars
Johnson Matthey is a British precious metals company with a history of over two centuries. Investors appreciate this brand for its established reputation and top-quality silver products. Many consider Johnson Matthey a model for silver craftsmanship.
Johnson Matthey silver bars usually sell at a higher premium than other, less well-known brands. Since the company no longer produces silver bullion, its bars have acquired collectible and historical value beyond their precious metal worth. Johnson Matthey silver bars are eligible for IRAs if they meet the 99.9% purity threshold.
4. Royal Canadian Mint Silver Bars
Next on our list of the best silver bars to buy is the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM). This reputable, government-backed mint produces silver bars with an exceptionally high purity of .9999 (99.99% fine silver). These top-quality bars qualify for precious metal IRAs and are usually easy to sell and trade.
Investors also prize the beautiful designs of RCM bars, which feature the Canadian maple leaf and the mint’s logo. These bars also have effective anti-counterfeit measures, such as unique serial numbers and serrated edges.
5. PAMP Suisse Silver Bars
PAMP Suisse is a precious metal refinery based in Switzerland. It offers cast and minted silver bars, the latter in sleek, elegant designs featuring the mint’s well-known Lady Fortuna image. These stunning bars are popular with investors and collectors alike.
PAMP Suisse bars are IRA-eligible because they contain .999 pure silver. To protect against counterfeits, the products also feature serial numbers and micro-engravings.
PAMP Suisse’s status as one of the most trusted private mints in the world contributes to its products’ high liquidity.
6. Engelhard Silver Bars
Engelhard Corporation was established in 1902 in the U.S. The Engelhard Mint produced bullion bars and rounds until the 1980s, setting an example of fine craftsmanship and distinctive purity marks confirming the products’ authenticity.
Today, due to their rarity, Engelhard silver bars are a popular, highly collectible product with a significant premium. Although you can find generic silver bars for lower prices, the Engelhard brand legacy gives its products a value boost beyond metal content. Engelhard bars are IRA-eligible if they meet the .999 purity standard.
7. Sunshine Minting Silver Bars
Sunshine Minting, based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has been a premium supplier of precious metals since 1979. Their silver bars, which come in sizes of 1, 5, 10, and 100 oz, feature the mint’s famous soaring eagle logo.
Sunshine Minting bars and rounds often sell at lower premiums above the spot price than similar silver products. The mint’s bars contain 99.9% pure silver, making them suitable for IRAs. The mint protects customers from counterfeit products by stamping its bars with the proprietary mico-engraved MintMark SI™.
8. Valcambi Silver Bars
Valcambi is a Swiss precious metal refiner known for its high quality and superb craftsmanship. Its silver bars, available in many sizes, feature sleek, elegant designs and unique serial numbers to ensure authenticity.
In addition to the standard bars, Valcambi also offers CombiBars, which are essentially sheets of minted bars that are easy to separate into individual bars for selling or stacking.
Valcambi is a popular and trusted brand, so its silver products should be easy enough to resell. Thanks to their .999 purity, they’re also IRA-eligible.
9. Heraeus Silver Bars
Heraeus is one of the world’s biggest and oldest precious metal refiners. This German company, dating back to 1660, offers minted and cast bars in various sizes, up to an extra-large 15 kg bar. Silver bars by Heraeus contain .9999 pure silver, which makes them an ideal choice for IRAs.
Heraeus is a reliable, investor-friendly brand that offers competitively priced silver products. The company’s bars bear the recognizable logo of a hand holding a rose bouquet.
10. Credit Suisse Silver Bars
Credit Suisse is a well-known global banking entity with a history that began in the mid-19th century. It offers fine bullion products, including silver bars with a sleek, modern design and a purity of .999, making them eligible for IRAs.
New and seasoned investors alike love Credit Suisse for its powerful brand name and its products’ high liquidity. Credit Suisse bars come in different sizes, from the popular 1 oz and 10 oz to larger bars. They are packaged in a protective case with a purity certification and serial number.
Choosing Your Silver Bars: A Recap
Bullion bars are a popular and convenient way to invest in physical silver. When looking for the best silver bars to buy, consider the following:
- Brand reputation: Buying from a reputable brand will ensure you’re getting high-quality silver. It’s also easier to resell bars from a trusted refinery.
- Purity levels: While most silver bullion bars consist of .999 (99.9% purity) fine silver, you can also find .9999 (99.99% purity) bars. Some investors are ready to pay a bigger premium for higher-purity silver.
- Bar size: Smaller silver bars may be easier to sell or barter, but larger bars usually sell at a smaller premium per ounce.
- IRA eligibility: If you’re buying silver for a precious metals IRA, ensure your silver bars are IRA-approved.
- Stackable vs. standard design: Stackable silver bars are more convenient to store on top of one another thanks to their uniform shapes and features like grooved edges.
- Cast vs. minted bars: Cast bars have a rougher look and typically cost less than minted bars. Minted silver bars appear more refined and may be easier to sell, but they are slightly more expensive.
- Anti-counterfeit features: Look for silver bars with anti-counterfeit details like serial numbers, holograms, and laser etchings.
Selecting the right bar ultimately boils down to your personal investment and storage priorities. You may choose smaller bars for higher liquidity or larger bars for lower premiums. Stackability may be an important factor if you’re planning to store a large quantity of silver bars. Some investors also like to purchase limited-edition bars for their collectible value.
Browse Our Selection of Silver Products
Are you looking for the best silver bars to buy? At Preserve Gold, we offer high-quality, reputable physical silver products for precious metal portfolios. Check out our collection of silver bars, rounds, and coins today to see which makers and varieties capture your interest.