How to Buy Silver Bars in 2024

Written By Colin Kuehn  |  Silver 

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Augusta Precious Metals: Our Top Silver IRA Company for 2022

  • Reliable and Trustworthy 
    When you choose Augusta for your gold IRA needs, you can be confident you're working with an extremely reliable company, whom you can trust with your gold and silver investing needs.
  • Simple 3 Step Process for Buying Silver
    Rolling over your IRA or 401k is often the best way to get started investing in Silver Bars. August has a simple 3-step process for using your IRA to investing in gold and silver, and they'll be there to walk you through the entire process.

Buying silver bars can be a great investment, but there are many different options. You can store them at home, or you can put them in a secure depository. You can even buy silver online, but there are many different things to keep in mind.

more than a dozen silver bars

Best Places to Buy Silver Bars

Buying silver bars online can be a good idea if you're looking for a way to invest in the metal without having to visit a brick and mortar store. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you're getting the best value.

For starters, you should look for a dealer with a good reputation. This will help you avoid making mistakes. Check for their credentials, their customer reviews, and how long they've been in business.

APMEX

You'll also want to look for a dealer that offers free shipping if you spend a certain amount of money. For example, APMEX offers free shipping on orders that total $199 or more.

The largest investment store in the United States, APMEX offers a variety of items including silver coins, jewelry, and platinum. Their website features detailed information on the items they sell, as well as market reports and how-to articles. They also offer discounts for loyalty club members. They accept credit cards and PayPal, as well as wire transfers.

Golden Eagle Coins

Another site to look at is Golden Eagle Coins. The website has a comprehensive blog with information on gold and silver coins. It also offers a free bi-monthly newsletter written by industry masterminds.

Silver IRA

Investing in silver and gold bars in an IRA can be a great way to protect your nest egg from the ravages of inflation. However, before you jump into investing in silver, there are several things to consider.

There are several types of IRAs that you can invest in, but silver is one of the most common. It offers a combination of stability and flexibility that has proven to be a safe investment for decades.

shaking hands after finding the right silver ira custodian

find the right custodian

First, you will need to find a custodian or account provider to help you purchase your silver bars. The custodian or account provider should be able to recommend an approved depository. You should also make sure the depository is fully insured.

a man holding a follow the rules card

Understand the Rules

First, you will need to find a custodian or account provider to help you purchase your silver bars. The custodian or account provider should be able to recommend an approved depository. You should also make sure the depository is fully insured.

a pile of melted silver

Purity matters

You must also make sure that the silver you purchase meets the purity requirements. Silver coins and bars must have a fineness of at least 0.999.

large pile of physical silver

Where to Buy Physical Silver Bars

Buying physical silver bars is a great way to store wealth during times of economic uncertainty. However, it is important to be cautious when doing so. It's also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau before buying silver.

Silver bullion bars come in a variety of sizes and weights. The most common are 1-ounce and 5-ounce bars, although larger bars are available. These sizes are easier to handle and store. However, the premium on smaller bars is higher than on larger bars.

Variety of Weights & Sizes

Silver bars are also available in larger weights, such as 100-ounce and 1,000-ounce bars. These sizes are perfect for banks and exchanges. However, larger bars are difficult to divide up. It is also important to note that larger bars may require assay before they can be sold.

Calculate "Total" Cost

The best way to find a good deal on silver bars is to look at the total cost. This includes insurance and the cost of shipping. Buying from a reputable dealer helps ensure you're getting the highest quality silver. It's also important to check the customer service and feedback policies of the dealer.

the large silver door of a bank vault

Storing at Home vs a Secure Depository

Whether you're storing silver bars at home or in a secure depository, it's important to know how to safely store your silver investments.

There are several options for storing your precious metals, and the best choice depends on the value of your investments, your security concerns, and your location.

Home Storage vs Secret Storage

There are two types of storage available: home storage and secret storage. Home storage is the least expensive option, but it can be riskier.

Safe Deposit Box

Many people store their precious metals in a safe deposit box. This is a popular way to store metals in the US, but it's prone to theft. Safe deposit boxes are often confiscated by court orders, and bank holidays can make it difficult to access your box.

Third-Party Storage Options

Third party storage facilities provide secure storage for your precious metals. However, they can be more expensive than storing your metals at home.

Home Storage Can Be Risky

Home storage can be an attractive option for silver investors who are on a budget. However, if you have high-value silver investments, you will need to find a safe location that provides adequate insurance, security, and privacy.

a woman spells out "TAX" with wooden blocks

Tax Implications of Purchasing Silver Bars

Buying and selling silver bullion can have tax implications. The amount of tax you'll pay depends on the cost basis of the metals. You'll pay ordinary income tax on your profit if you're in the lowest tax bracket, or capital gains tax if you're in the highest tax bracket. The difference between the cost basis of your metals and the amount you receive from selling them is known as capital gain.

Rules for Silver Coins

The IRS also has rules regarding collecting silver coins. Silver coins with a face value of at least $1,000 are reportable on your tax return. Those with a face value of less than $1,000 are not.

Reporting Guidelines

If you purchase silver coins from a dealer, you'll need to fill out a 1099-B form. This form will allow the IRS to track your sales and prevent tax evasion.

There are two sets of reporting guidelines, one for silver dealers, and one for investors. While it's important to know which rules apply to you, there is an obscure law that may allow you to sell gold and silver for free.

more than 8 silver bars

Why We Recommend Considering a Silver IRA

Buying silver bars in an IRA is one of the best ways to diversify your investment portfolio and protect your nest egg from inflation. This is because it offers a unique blend of security, liquidity, and growth potential.

Many investors are seeking alternative investment options, especially during turbulent economic times. Paper currencies depreciate sometimes, but silver never goes down. It also acts as a hedge against depreciation of paper assets.

Potential Inflation Hedge

Many investors are seeking alternative investment options, especially during turbulent economic times. Paper currencies depreciate sometimes, but silver never goes down. It also acts as a hedge against depreciation of paper assets.


Many experts recommend a part investment in silver. In a down economy, the demand for silver may rise. This could boost the value of your silver investment.

Other Considerations

Many experts recommend a part investment in silver. In a down economy, the demand for silver may rise. This could boost the value of your silver investment.

Silver IRAs can be purchased as a SEP IRA rollover or SIMPLE IRA rollover. They offer tax-deferred growth potential and allow you to earn tax-free income until retirement.

When you are ready to sell your silver, consider the reporting requirements. Silver bars of 100-ounces or more may require an assay. This adds extra expense and delays the payout.

When purchasing silver bars, make sure that they are from a reputable dealer. Reputable companies will have a positive customer rating and strong educational resources. They should also offer a feedback policy.

Augusta Precious Metals: Our Top Pick for Silver IRAs

Buying gold and silver bars from Augusta Precious Metals is one of the most popular ways to diversify your retirement assets. The company offers a wide variety of products, including premium coins, collector sets, and certified coins.

Augusta Precious Metals also offers a lifetime of customer support. They provide customers with the information they need to make an informed decision about their retirement assets. They offer 1-to-1 web conferences, which offer an excellent opportunity to clarify any questions customers may have.

A+ BBB Rating

Augusta Precious Metals is an industry leader when it comes to their customer ratings, as well as their rankings via the major consumer protection agencies - they currently boast an A+ rating from the BBB, as well as a AAA rating from the BCA.


More Reasons to Love Them

They also offer a 7-day price guarantee program, which allows customers to cancel their purchase within seven days if they find a better price elsewhere. They also offer an education program, which teaches customers about the benefits of gold and silver. They provide articles, a free guide, and a personal meeting with the education leader.

Augusta Precious Metals has earned a number of awards for its service, including an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an AAA rating with the Business Consumer Alliance. The company also receives hundreds of top reviews from customers, including an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.

Last Updated: December 31, 2023