Silver is one of the classic and most widespread of the investment metals. Notwithstanding all the short-term fluctuations in the market, silver has continued to rise steadily in value over the past years.

Coins as legal tender

Silver coins usually bear a nominal face value of the currency concerned. The value of the silver exceeds the nominal face value of the coins by a multiple. Therefore they are traded as investment coins throughout the world. Well-known mintages include the Maple Leaf (Canada), the Vienna Philharmonic (Austria) and the Noah's Ark (Armenia) coins.

Silver as a raw material

Unlike gold, silver is an important raw material for industry. In particular the demand from the electronic and solar industry will have further influence on the development of the price of silver. Because it has antibacterial properties, silver is also gaining in importance in medicine and in the textile industry. Experts in precious metals therefore anticipate a positive development in the price of silver in the long term, for silver deposits throughout the world are limited.

Value added tax on silver

Silver coins are liable to value added tax in all the countries of the EU, as well as in Switzerland. In Switzerland silver coins and bars are traded with 8 percent value added tax.