Silver Rounds versus American Silver Eagles.  Which one should you buy?This is a question that many of us have asked during the very pleasant rise of sliver on the bullion market.  There are several factors to consider when making this decision; only a brief few will be offered in this guide.

Silver is a precious commodity, one that will always hold value regardless of the form in which it is cast.  Several years ago silver rounds (standard bullion) and most American Silver Eagles were priced within a reasonable range from one another. 

Many of us feel comfortable purchasing either the rounds or the Eagles but which makes the most sense?  Silver Eagles cost a little bit more $1-$2 per coin than standard bullion.  Why should we care what die the silver was stamped with and how do we then make our decision in what we  purchase?

In the short term silver bullion seems to be a good way to go.  It's less expensive, still attractive and, after all it is silver .999 pure.  If one hopes to earn return on their investment, the only way for that to happen os for the silver market to go up and do so rather dramatically.  Trends have shown us over the years that the fluctuation of the silver market is minute when one considers a typical increase of $.11 gain (or loss) for any given day/week is fairly close to what one may expect.  A remarkably quick and very cheap selling environment is absolutely necessary to make standard silver bullion as the basis for investment. 

If investment is not one's intention amd one happens to like silver because of it's attractiveness, brilliance, luster and history standard bullion roiunds or bars make perfect sense.  There is no mark up by the government for the privalege of having your silver stamped "United States of America".  Turthfully many bars and rounds are quite lovely themselves (especially the reproductions of obsolete coins).

If one is interested in longer term investment and wishes to solidify the silver's value and investment opportunity, standard silver bullion makes little sense.  One will likely never see the days (in our lifetime) of silver reaching it's historic rise in the 70s.  Longer term, smart investments lean very stongly to the American Silver Eagles.  The rarity and the coin collector value increases with each passing day.  Not only does one gain form an increase in the value of silver but also the increase in value over time.  Remember when one could purchase the 1996 Silver Eagle for nine (9) dollars?  Some auctions on the 1996 Eagles have realized $50.  Yes it is a rarer date but as time passes, so are the other dates.  Back when silver was $6-7 per troy ounce, I was fortunate to purchase rolls of many years.  Years which were largely irrelevant (see 1986 sales from 18 months ago). 

Silver in and of itself is a very lovely metal to hold in one's hand to both admire it's beauty and ponder the history behind it.     If that's what you are looking for then for goodness sakes buy the bullion.  If you are looking to maybe make some money and the inherent intrinsic value of silver is not that important to you the for goodnes sakes buy the American Silver Eagles. 

In any event, in my perspecitve sthe silver market is likely to go down due to decreasing gasoline prices and a slightly improved economy.  It is equally my opinion that silver will make large gains in the Winter (February/March 2007) as oil and gas prices increase and out economy stagnates due to the increased cost of living.

Silver lovers, get bullion.  The American Silver Eagles are beautiful but they cost, on average $1-$2 more than stabdard rounds or bars (per troy ounce).  Investors go get the Silver Eagles