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If you have started moving in precious metals circles, you may have heard references to “silver stacking” and people described as “silver stackers.” Although the terms may be used positively or derisively, depending on the speaker, they are becoming increasingly common as precious metals grow in popularity.
Silver stacking is the act of collecting silver as a primary focus of one’s precious metals investment. The origin of the term is quite simple—most people who own a lot of silver keep it in stacks.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, you’ve come to the right place. The guide below will walk you through the purposes of silver stacking, how to do it, and the reasons behind it. So, let’s get started.
A silver stacker is a person who engages in silver stacking. That is, they have chosen to make silver their primary or one of their primary mediums for precious metals investing.
While silver stackers may own gold, platinum, or other precious metals, the majority of their holdings are in silver. A silver stacker often keeps their investment organized in stacks, with the silver pieces arranged on top of one another in a specific configuration.
The people who decide to stack silver are an extremely diverse group. Some of them are serious investors, while others are hobbyists.
Whatever their background, stackers share similar motivations for focusing on silver. Key reasons include:
The last point is particularly important, as it taps into the mindset behind choosing silver over gold. Gold is significantly more expensive than silver—at present, the gold/silver ratio, which compares the prices of the two metals, values an ounce of gold more than 80 times higher than an ounce of silver. For those with limited budgets, silver stacking offers an accessible entry into precious metals investing.
Silver comes in many forms. Some stackers focus exclusively on one type, while others collect a variety of silver products.
There’s no wrong answer, but it’s important to understand the types of silver you’ll encounter in the market.
Silver coins are products of sovereign mints, either in the United States or other countries. They are minted in specific shapes, weights, and alloys, and their silver content is certified as authentic by their issuing nations.
Coins are a reliable silver investment, as they are guaranteed to contain the amount of silver they claim. Coins are also desirable to collectors and investors due to their historical value, aesthetic appeal, and craftsmanship.
However, coins are typically the most expensive type of silver you can buy. Their value extends beyond their silver content, and most precious metals dealers charge higher premiums for them. This increased cost doesn’t make silver coins a bad investment, but it’s essential to understand why they are more expensive than other silver types.
One of the best examples of a silver coin is the American Silver Eagle. This coin, the official bullion coin of the United States, contains one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. Though there are purer silver coins available, the Silver Eagle is well-known for its beauty and recognizable design, making it a valued addition to any silver stack.
If you prefer a bulk option, silver bars are an excellent choice. Silver bars are cast as rectangular or trapezoidal blocks of silver.
They come in various sizes, from less than an ounce to a kilogram or more, and are usually no less than 99.9% pure.
Silver bars are physically the easiest type of silver to stack, thanks to their regular shapes and flat surfaces. Their value is based solely on their metal weight multiplied by the spot price for silver, which makes them more affordable per ounce than coins.
However, their bulk can pose logistical challenges, including transportation, security, and storage. Unlike coins, which can fit into small containers, large bars may require specialized storage solutions to keep them safe from theft.
A great example is the Royal Canadian Mint Silver Bar. Produced by Canada’s sovereign mint, these bars often have a purity of 99.99%, making them among the purest silver products on the market.
Silver rounds are coin-sized disks that are not legal tender. Their value is based solely on their silver content, similar to bars.
Rounds offer investors the size of a coin and the affordability of a bar. They often feature unique designs, making them popular for gifts or commemorations. Like bars, rounds are cheaper per ounce than coins and have a similar purity profile of 99.9% or higher.
“Junk” silver refers to coins with significant silver content but not enough to compete with bullion coins. Despite the name, there’s nothing “junk” about these coins—they often have historical value that adds to their appeal.
For collectors, junk silver coins serve as a tangible link to the past. In the U.S., junk silver typically comes in 90%, 40%, or 35% silver varieties, with 90% silver coins being the most common.
A great example is the 90% half dollar, which is more valuable than its face value due to its silver content and historical significance.
Numismatic silver coins are historical coins no longer in production. Their value is largely determined by rarity, condition, and historical context, rather than their silver content.
For example, a high-grade 1893 Morgan dollar minted in San Francisco sold for $735,000 in 2018, while a heavily worn coin of the same mintage sold for just $604.
Here are the steps to begin silver stacking:
Silver stacking comes with a certain degree of camaraderie that you’ll share with fellow stackers. Just on a brief inventory, we detected no fewer than five different Reddit or subreddit forums dedicated exclusively to silver stacking.
However, we make no warranty whatsoever about the veracity of the information contained within these forums. In all likelihood, it’s probably good information most of the time, but we urge you to doublecheck any claims you see before you use them to inform a decision.
If you decide to sell your stack, here’s what to do:
Other articles of interest:
Silver stacking is an affordable and enjoyable way to invest in precious metals. With clear goals and a thoughtful strategy, you can build a silver stack that meets your financial and personal objectives.
If you have silver pieces you’d like to discuss or potentially sell, our counselors are here to assist you—anytime, any day of the week. You can reach out to us on the phone at 800-276-6508, connect with us online through our live web chat feature, or submit your questions to an associate via email.
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