volumetric efficiencies in storing silver products
I've often seen posts where a buyer asks for advice on whether they should buy silver bullion in the form of bars\ingots or if they should buy coins\rounds. Now there are many, many different considerations in making a choice between these two options. If space consumed by the product matters--- here is an interesting discovery I made today.
I have in one pile (standing up) 10 silver eagles that are NGC slabbed. Right next to this pile I placed one on top of the other ten 10 ounce First Majestic .9999 silver bars. And guess what--- the two stacks were of the same height. So a hundred ounces of silver is no taller than 10 slabbed eagles.
then I compared the two for width and length--- the ingots\bars are just slightly longer than the NGC holder and the ingots\bars are the same width.
So if you have a limited amount of space to store your goods--- the ingots\bars are much more space efficient than slabbed coins.
Stacking your rounds\coins in tubes would be morso efficient of space (I'm guessing) than either the slabs or the bars. But stacking coins in the round tubes is fine for rounds\coins that are purely commodities--- but less appropiate for say W minted silver eagles wherein you want to protect the finish of the coins.
so--- within the context of wanting to store numismatic silver coins---- wherein you might want to get them graded and slabbed---- doing this comparison the ingots are 10X more space efficient than the eagles in slabs.
One last note--- I was actually pleasantly surprised by the finish on the First Majestic ten ounce bars. They really do look pretty nice--- with mirror finished background and frosted highlights and corporate symbols. Not bad at all.
MSL
I have in one pile (standing up) 10 silver eagles that are NGC slabbed. Right next to this pile I placed one on top of the other ten 10 ounce First Majestic .9999 silver bars. And guess what--- the two stacks were of the same height. So a hundred ounces of silver is no taller than 10 slabbed eagles.
then I compared the two for width and length--- the ingots\bars are just slightly longer than the NGC holder and the ingots\bars are the same width.
So if you have a limited amount of space to store your goods--- the ingots\bars are much more space efficient than slabbed coins.
Stacking your rounds\coins in tubes would be morso efficient of space (I'm guessing) than either the slabs or the bars. But stacking coins in the round tubes is fine for rounds\coins that are purely commodities--- but less appropiate for say W minted silver eagles wherein you want to protect the finish of the coins.
so--- within the context of wanting to store numismatic silver coins---- wherein you might want to get them graded and slabbed---- doing this comparison the ingots are 10X more space efficient than the eagles in slabs.
One last note--- I was actually pleasantly surprised by the finish on the First Majestic ten ounce bars. They really do look pretty nice--- with mirror finished background and frosted highlights and corporate symbols. Not bad at all.
MSL
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Permalink Reply by mqracing on -
John S said:They seem to be two very different types of investments. I don't intend to be mean-spirited in any way, but how do you know the bars are authentic? I often wonder whether buying circulated common dated US coins at relatively low premiums and putting them in cheap folders is a better investment that might be more acceptable in the apocalypse (or whatever we are preparing for?).
Hi John:
Re: different types of investments--- I fully acknowledge this point in the first paragraph of my post. If your buying coins based on the numismatic qualities of the particular coin then obviously how efficient it\they stack will be very much a minor concern to you as the buyer\consumer.
My post was a bit tongue in cheek--- just posting my surprise at how space inefficient my stack of NGC holdered bald eagles silver dollars were versus the 100 ounces of silver I had just gotten in the form of ten ounce silver bars.
How do I know that the bars aren't doped? Two thoughts....
first-- I bought directly from the source (First Majestic Silver Corp) which is a publicly traded company. I doubt that they are going to put their name on and directly sell to the public doped ten ounce bars. So knowing your source is very important. Would I buy homemade silver bars off of ebay? NOPE.
second--- if we get really paranoid--- and there is a difference btwn doing due diligence and paranoia---- but if we get super paranoid--- rounds or coins are not themselves immune to being doped. You can buy doped pandas all day long. but if you buy from the mint--- I think your safe--- or if you buy from a major vendor of bullion eagles who are getting in green boxes once a week--- I think your safe.
best advice is common sense and know your trading partners.
MSL
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