Over the years, Atlanta Gold & Coin met with hundreds, and possibly thousands, of people purchasing silver coins and bullion. The company also spoke with or met hundreds of first-time buyers. For people who were new to silver investing, one question came up repeatedly: which silver coin or bullion choice was best? That question was not simple because silver could be approached in several different ways. Rather than state that one method was best, the original article set out categories that described where most customers fit. It discussed five approaches to investing in silver coins and bullion, with the aim of helping readers recognize a category that matched them and concentrate on coins suited to their needs and long-term goals.
Patriotic
For an individual who only bought “American,” that preference likely carried into silver-coin purchases as well. Although U.S. silver choices included Morgan and Peace dollars, silver commemoratives, and proof silver coins, the original article said patriotic customers generally favored American Silver Eagles and 90% silver coins. At the time of publication, these were described as the most widely recognized, traded, and liquid silver coins in the United States. For readers with no intention of relocating elsewhere who bought only red, white, and blue, the article suggested these were likely the appropriate coins.
Premium
The original article described premium silver coin and bullion customers as tending to favor sovereign-issued silver coins. These were fine or pure silver coins struck by sovereign governments, including coins from the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Austria, and Australia, among others. Government-issued coins generally carried a higher premium than many other silver coins and bullion because their stated specifications guaranteed the precise silver weight and content. In addition, most government-issued silver coins were recognizable, supporting a broad and liquid market for trading them. The article also noted that certain government-issued coins sold for still higher premiums because of collectible or numismatic value. This could apply to years when fewer coins were produced.
Standard
The term “standard” was intended to describe the group that included most Atlanta Gold & Coin customers. These buyers were not necessarily seeking higher-premium, government-issued pure silver coins; at the same time, they were not pursuing the least expensive silver coin and bullion choices. Instead, their central objective was reasonably priced, recognizable coins and bullion that could be sold later without difficulty. The article placed 90% U.S. silver coins and privately minted silver bars and rounds in this category. Higher-end silver bars and rounds included products from established private mints such as Engelhard, Johnson Matthey, Pamp Suisse, and Credit Suisse. Those items tended to sell for somewhat more than bars and rounds without the producer’s name stamped on them.
Discount
People characterized as discount buyers of silver coins and bullion generally focused on lower-premium items, while still wanting pieces with enough recognition to liquidate in the future if needed. The discount category included 40% Kennedy half dollars minted from 1965 – 1970, 35% silver war nickels made from 1942 – 1945, and 80% Canadian silver coins minted in 1966 and earlier. Sterling silver bars and rounds from the Franklin Mint and Danbury Mint also belonged here. The article said the industry recognized all of these as tradable silver coins and bullion, though they were less popular and brought lower rates than some options mentioned earlier. Premiums were typically just above their silver content. At the time of publication, readers doing bargain hunting might have found some of these offerings at melt value.
Deep Discount
Deep-discount silver coin and bullion buyers sought the lowest-cost silver, without qualification. They were not necessarily concerned about the resale value of what they accumulated; their goal was simply to obtain silver in one form or another for the metal’s melt value, or below it. The original article noted that some coins could surprisingly be acquired at melt value or less, although these were usually lower-purity foreign coins containing 50% purity or less. Examples included 50% Canadian silver dimes and quarters produced from 1967 – 1968, along with 10% silver Mexican pesos minted from 1957 – 1967. Some people bypassed coins entirely and pursued other bullion forms, including sterling silver jewelry, flatware, and serving ware. The article described many of these individuals as frequently visiting thrift shops or garage sales to look for hidden gems.
Summary
In summary, Atlanta Gold & Coin had identified several kinds of silver coin and bullion buyers over the years. The original article described “patriotic” investors as interested only in coins minted in the United States. Premium investors were willing to pay a higher premium for pure silver coins issued by governments. Most individuals, according to the article, fell within the “standard” investor category: people seeking recognizable silver coins at reasonable prices that could be sold later without issue. Discount investors looked for low-premium silver coins and bullion, but not if that meant giving up liquidity. Finally, deep-discount silver coin and bullion buyers focused solely on acquiring silver at the lowest possible cost, usually through low-purity foreign coins, silver jewelry, or serving ware. When the article was originally published, it was intended to help readers identify their buyer type and offer suggestions about the kinds of items they might consider acquiring.
