Beginning stacking

[jec1]

Hopefully I posted this in the right forum. This is my first post on here. I have a lot of interest in treasure type stuff and googling for info, more often than not, I'd end up reading a discussion of some sort on treasure net and decided to join up. I have a teenage son and we're always hunting for arrowheads in bluffs and metal detecting old homeplaces.

Anyway, I'm wanting to get started in stacking, mostly silver. As of now, all I have is a few old junk coins so I'm really new. Here is what I "think" I want to do and I would like some opinions.

With today's silver prices around $17, I can buy silvertowne mint 1 oz bars etc. for about $22. But much of the articles I have read would lead me to believe that I would be better off buying Silver Eagles. They seem to go for around $40 ms70.
so for a newb, the bars seem like a better deal? Maybe neither is a good deal? That is why I decided to join. To ask before I start.
I was thinking if prices are what they are today, my strategy might be something like buy 1 oz bar, 1 silver eagle, and 1 gram of gold equally on a regular basis. But change strategy based on pricing. If gold drops, focus more on gold. Something like that?

Maybe a better way of asking would be, If you were to start stacking from scratch today, with today's prices, how would you go about it?
Goals: sure I would like to get rich overnight, but mostly looking for a long term investment where I would at least break even, but hopefully better down the road. I'd just like to diversify in gold an silver.

Thanks!

 

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[Toecutter]

Welcome to Tnet, great question some one will chime in soon that has a good starting point...

 

[Owassokie]

So for starters, I'd say never pay a $5 premium to melt value for "common" silver. Silvertowne would qualify as common silver. There are tons of options at less than $1/ounce premium for common silver. When you talk about eagles and grading, you're getting into something completely different. You can stack eagles as a long term investment but you're introducing several more variables because you're paying a premium. History would say that the premium will generally rise on eagles but no one really knows if that will continue. It's possible the premium could go down.

My recommendation would be to buy several things at first. Figure out what you like and learn more about the metals, shapes, brands, and the goals that each one will accomplish. Join one of the online communities that trade/buy/sell.

Also, you mention reading articles. Honestly, I prefer reading threads in the online communities. I believe you'll find more honest information and you have a better chance of avoiding someone who is just advertising.

OO

 

[jec1]

THANKS! That is exactly why I decided to join this forum and ask questions first. $5 above melt seemed like a lot to me, but it doesn't seem so bad when an Eagle is $23 above melt. With the bars, I was thinking quantity since I can basically buy 2 bars to one eagle. But the Eagles seem more like quality? Is there a happy medium. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[cudamark]

I think you're trying to compare investing in precious metals, and investing in collector coins/items. If you're going to just invest in silver, I would buy circulated 90% U.S. silver coins. They're a known purity and easy to sell. Though easier to assay these days, other forms of silver may not be as easy since there are lots of counterfeits out there. Now, if you're into collector items, that's a whole different ballgame and speculation on future values.

 

[kingskid1611]

Welcome to TNet. I am a coin collector and a stacker. If you have the means do both but if you just want to stack then bars would be the way to go. I collect and use what I get to complete sets. Leftovers are for stacking. I get my junk silver for mostly face value from banks and friends who watch their tills for me. Lots of silver out there if you keep yours eyes peeled for it. Great lessons on money and history also.

 

[smokeythecat]

Welcome. I would buy US gold coins. Some are not expensive at all, and they take up a lot less space. It's amazing how much, for instance, silver halves take up. I dumped some recently to make space for more fun stuff.

 

[Dozer D]

Jec: welcome to TN , and the coin & coin roll hunting forums. It's all about how much time , effort, money to put up, and as an investment or a fun hobby as stacking. If you are thinking buying ASE's just as investment, don't go with MS70 grade, your paying way too much premium. If going with ASE as a bullion device, then just get lower grade circulated ones. Silver is silver whether it's MS70 or circulated grade at a much lower price. Check into some of the bigger coin bullion dealers just to see what $ they sell & buy at., APMEX, JM Bullion, come to mind. Then you can always begin stacking as a HOBBY with your teenage son., it can be frustrating at times, but when you do find silver (90% or 40%), it's at face value FV, with NO premium. Just follow many of our postings here, you will find highs & lows(skunks), but you will find a whole new world of a hobby that you are Investing into. Take your time getting your feet wet, and just wait til you feel the excitement when you & son find your first 90% (be it a dime qtr or half dollar). It's like finding that pirate treasure in the movie "The Goonies", you'll see soon enough.
I've searched dimes mostly over the past 8-years, and have been an on & off coin collector since the early 60's. HAVE FUN DOING IT. DozerD

 

[fistfulladirt]

Collect what you like. I avoid US gold eagles because of purity, I just like .999% or better, so gold buffalos.
I like US junk silver because it’s not commonly counterfeited. Otherwise, US silver eagles from a trusted source.

 

[A2coins]

I buy silver 1 oz bars there an easy low dollar investment i buy JM or apmex but buy 5 or so at a time it's cheaper I like those companies they are well known I pay more than spot but my hope is in 20 years silver will go up cause of technology uses No one knows we can look back but you can determine future value by that it's a investment that's not huge and even if it just holds its value its money for my kids 20 years from now I dont like the eagles cause coin buyers are a picky lot one tiny blemish and the value drops significantly lol. Good luck and welcome. Tommy

 

[dejapooh]

What is your goal with this silver? Are you just stacking it? Are you thinking the economy may collapse? Your goals would help to determine what you should buy.

 

[jec1]

I "think" I have figured out what I want to do. I think I'm going to mostly stack, but coin collect on a lesser scale. I have my dad's old coin collection, a few Morgans, with alot of rolls of old silver dimes and quarters, wheat pennies etc. It's a small collection, but enough to keep me interested. Maybe stack when the silver prices are lower and pick up a more collectible coin here and there along the way. Possibly mostly stack, but also try to put together a collection of all the years of silver eagles also. I wish I would have started a few months ago, silver prices have gone up $2 since I have gotten interested. But it has also already been fun watching the silver prices and looking into ways to stack as well as reading up on coins to look out for.