In these days of economic uncertainty, there is a lot of talk about owning or investing in precious metals. The question, 'How much is silver worth?' has several answers. The key to which answer will best fit your interests is the objective you have for investing money in this way.
It is essential that you understand how precious metals are valued and traded if you're thinking of them as an investment or as a hedge against economic collapse. Metals are tangible assets, which makes them a commodity. It also makes them a lot different than paper money, which is only as good as the government that stands behind it. In other words, paper money has the value that people set and accept. Commodities, on the other hand, have intrinsic value of their own.
Precious metals are marketed in the form of bars, called ingots, or in the form of coins. There are also jewelry and other items, like sterling silverware table settings. Ingots are valued according to weight, while coins and other items have intrinsic value - the weight of pure metal in them - and may also have added value because of their history, their rarity, or their condition.
The 'troy ounce' has been used to weigh silver for centuries. This system, developed in France during the Middle Ages, sets twelve troy ounces to a troy pound; these ounces are slightly heavier than the ones used to weigh sugar or flour. Ingots range from 100 troy ounces to 5,000.
The commodities value of this metal changes from moment to moment. The price is influenced by supply and demand, changes in other commodities, and the relative prices of world currencies. When the dollar is 'weak', in that investors have less confidence in the world reserve currency, precious metals rise in price. Investors buy, hold until the price rises significantly, and then sell to make a profit.
Many people today are not looking at only investment potential, however. They feel that a hoard of ingots, coins, or other items might offer protection in times of emergency. For this reason, some prefer to buy coinage, which is a recognizable form of exchange and mote likely to be accepted by those selling necessities, rather than ingots or gold rings. For emergencies, some survival experts recommend 'junk-silver'.
Junk-silver is simply American dollars, half-dollars, quarters, and dimes made before 1965. These coins are 90% pure. The coins have no other value, being neither in mint condition or rare. However, a 1964 dollar is worth more than $10 now and might be worth even more if paper money becomes devalued. Having a supply of junk-silver can mean added security for you and your family in hard times.
The value of this precious metal to you depends on what you want it for. As an investment, it's worth is what a troy ounce sells for at any given moment. As a hedge against inflation or the collapse of paper money, having it may mean the difference between life and death, or at least having the means to get what you need in times of chaos.
It is essential that you understand how precious metals are valued and traded if you're thinking of them as an investment or as a hedge against economic collapse. Metals are tangible assets, which makes them a commodity. It also makes them a lot different than paper money, which is only as good as the government that stands behind it. In other words, paper money has the value that people set and accept. Commodities, on the other hand, have intrinsic value of their own.
Precious metals are marketed in the form of bars, called ingots, or in the form of coins. There are also jewelry and other items, like sterling silverware table settings. Ingots are valued according to weight, while coins and other items have intrinsic value - the weight of pure metal in them - and may also have added value because of their history, their rarity, or their condition.
The 'troy ounce' has been used to weigh silver for centuries. This system, developed in France during the Middle Ages, sets twelve troy ounces to a troy pound; these ounces are slightly heavier than the ones used to weigh sugar or flour. Ingots range from 100 troy ounces to 5,000.
The commodities value of this metal changes from moment to moment. The price is influenced by supply and demand, changes in other commodities, and the relative prices of world currencies. When the dollar is 'weak', in that investors have less confidence in the world reserve currency, precious metals rise in price. Investors buy, hold until the price rises significantly, and then sell to make a profit.
Many people today are not looking at only investment potential, however. They feel that a hoard of ingots, coins, or other items might offer protection in times of emergency. For this reason, some prefer to buy coinage, which is a recognizable form of exchange and mote likely to be accepted by those selling necessities, rather than ingots or gold rings. For emergencies, some survival experts recommend 'junk-silver'.
Junk-silver is simply American dollars, half-dollars, quarters, and dimes made before 1965. These coins are 90% pure. The coins have no other value, being neither in mint condition or rare. However, a 1964 dollar is worth more than $10 now and might be worth even more if paper money becomes devalued. Having a supply of junk-silver can mean added security for you and your family in hard times.
The value of this precious metal to you depends on what you want it for. As an investment, it's worth is what a troy ounce sells for at any given moment. As a hedge against inflation or the collapse of paper money, having it may mean the difference between life and death, or at least having the means to get what you need in times of chaos.
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