It been a rough couple of days (or weeks depending on where you put your money) for a lot of people. The stock market has been pretty scary lately with big losses. Cryptos are down and seem to crashing back into the basement. Put your money in the bank? I'd hate to say it but why trust your money with a bunch of crooks? I've watched most of my bank balances only go down. By the time the bankers take their monthly banking fees and their cuts from my long term investments I've been at a loss. Shall I just stuff my money in my mattress like people used to or dig a hole in my backyard and bury it? If you pay any attention to the value of your dollar (US or Canada and I'm sure life is no different in Europe or any other continent for that matter) you probably feel just like me. Why save all that toilet paper for later when you won't be able to feed yourself with it anyways? Everybody likes to save for the future but what is one to do?
On my nation's 100th birthday my country did something that I find to be unforgivable. It stopped using silver in it's money. This silver dollar was the last that contained 0.600 Troy ounces. In 1968 for half the year there was a reduced amount of silver in our coins (50%) but by mid year all silver was removed. If you are thinking that inflation started just 10-15 years ago, you're wrong. It started 50 years ago. That is when the fiat dollar in Canada started to collapse. Slowly, bit by bit the price of EVERYTHING has gone up since. Do you want proof? At the time that I am writing this post silver is sitting @ $20.94/oz. If you multiply that silver dollar's content of 0.600 by $20.94 you get $12.56. A pretty big jump from $1! That is not taking in the condition, rarity or any other factor. Just silver content alone. When I was younger, if my parents spent $30 on groceries, the cart was full! Now, sadly I only have 2 grocery bags in my hand. A new car 30 years ago was $14,000 (The only new vehicle my parents have ever owned was a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice Classic) but now is close to $39,000. A new home (average major urban area) was close to $70,000 and now it is close to $400,000 (all prices are in Canadian Dollars) Shall I continue?
This 2000 Voyage of Discovery has a silver content of 0.999 and originally sold for $19.95
Now I'm sure that a lot of you are saying, no, that's not true I have lots of silver dollars! Well, maybe that's what you think! After 1967 it gets a little tricky. Most commemorative silver dollars were made out of nickel. If you have a specimen or proof silver dollar from 1971-1991 it was 50% silver and 50% copper. But to say "dollar" is a pretty loose term. In '71 these dollars were selling for $3.00, and by '79 they were $5.50. In the new millennium the prices have only soared. Starting at $20.99 and steadily increasing to $59.95 by 2017. Am I changing your mind about silver yet? Did silver get more expensive or did the dollar just lose it's value?
The 2017 Canadian Confederation 150th Anniversary Silver Proof Dollar has a silver content of 0.9999 and sold for $59.95 original price
Now, this is just the Silver dollars. This is not your only silver option. In fact, Silver dollars are only a part of my silver collection. Coins can be tricky to buy for sure. There are several different and seemingly confusing ranking systems and people can get lost, confused and have the wool pulled over their eyes when it comes to buying! If you are new to the silver market may I suggest bullion. Bullion can be bought close to spot price a lot of the time unless it's government issued and has a value stamped on it, aka semi numismatic. Buying silver with your government's stamp on it puts a lot of people at ease when buying, especially if you're new to it. You will pay a bit of a premium but it is a much quicker (and cheaper for sure!) method of filling your safe!
You can also buy larger sizes as well (and less premium because instead of 5 separate premiums for 5 coins you are now only paying 1 premium for a much bigger chunk of silver 5,10 or 100 ounce sizes.)
This beautiful 5 oz piece was bought at spot price!
I'm missing someone in the silver crowd....what can it be.....ah yes, the poured silver! These can be some beautiful pieces for sure and can be anything at all your mind can think of! If you can think of the shape, it can be poured. I will admit, my poured collection is small and wanting. It's next on my list of silver to buy. I've been window shopping around here on Steemit for a bit now and I'll probably be beefing that part up in about a month or so.
These guys here were my favourites! When I first saw them they reminded me of when I was younger and used to play with the little green army men. My father served in the US Army from 1968-1971 so Father's Day gifts they have become. My army has slowly been disappearing over the years. The radio man has been calling for backup! I need to order myself a new army! Lol.
As you can see, collecting silver can be a fun and addicting hobby! There are several different ways to collect. But by buying silver you will be preserving your wealth! When your stocks crash you'll have a piece of paper (if you're lucky) in your hand. If you're into cryptos your internet can be hacked and websites can disappear! Please do not buy paper silver/silver certificates - I do not count this as collecting silver because you do not physically have it in your hand!! When everything fails (and I'm willing to bet it will) having silver in hand will go a long, long way!
Please note. I am not a financial advisor. I have investments in Cryptocurrencies and in the stock market as well, and feel as though diversification is key to protecting yourself! Although there are lots of facts in this article I am a tradesman and these opinions come from my research only. This piece is my opinion ONLY! Feel free to argue any of these points with me, I will welcome debate!
Gold is the money of Kings, Silver is the money of Gentlemen, Barter is the money of peasants and debt is the money of slaves. - Norm Franz
By reading this do not feel any obligation to Upvote/ReSteem/Follow (But I certainly would welcome you to do so! Lol!)
Good points. There's a lively silver-steem trade building up here. I have seen the Royal Canadian Mint bars in person and they are nice. I'm a Yankee though. American Eagles are my primero.
I can certainly understand the American viewpoint and why you would like your American Eagles! I have some too!
nice to see you are finally staring to post!! Yes you need more little soldiers, them things are nice. I really like the year of the goat bar too. Our money has been in trouble since it got debased...I call it the slow market crash. Keep stacking :)
You know I'll keep stacking ;) and yes I'm definitely on the lookout for more army men now!
Greetings from a Dutch well diversified investor. Glad you did not forget the pourers as there are many on the silverteam already!
Thank you for stopping by! Yes I did not forget the pourers...I think that's all I've been watching on Steemit lately! Lol. I'm sure that pretty soon I'm going to be buying a whole bunch of poured silver as it's turning into my new fascination!
I like the army men,and I had the green ones also!
Spent hours with those darn things!
I really like the Army men as well! The only difference is that I never melted the silver ones with a magnifying glass! Lol
Great post ging upvoted and resteemed!
I love that quote Gold is the money of Kings, Silver is the money of Gentlemen, Barter is the money of peasants and debt is the money of slaves. Full Steem Ahead!! 👍
Yes I love that quote quite a bit too! I'm sure that I'll be dropping it on quite a few of my posts from now on!
Great post.
Pleasure to meet another fellow Canadian Stacker and yes I've come about to Silver and precious metals in much a similar assessment of our seriously flawed economic model so I have stacked old Canadian silver coinage, bullion, and my personal passion...hand poured silver! Especially Pirate themed Silver! Keep Stacking Friend!
Thank you for stopping by! Yes it is nice to meet fellow Canadian stackers, as well as people that share similar viewpoints in our flawed economic system! It's hard to get people to listen but I keep preaching! Mmmmm...pirate silver!!