Coins & small bars
Compare fine content, fabrication premium, delivery and the dealer’s buyback terms. A familiar design and a low advertised spot price do not describe the complete purchase.
Stored physical metal
Read who owns the metal, how holdings are identified, who controls withdrawals, what is insured and what costs apply when you exit.
Funds & contracts
Units in a fund or a derivatives contract are different legal arrangements from holding a specific bar. Review the instrument’s documents, risks and fees.
Six questions before choosing a route.
1. What is the fine silver content?
Gross weight includes everything in the object. Fine metal content adjusts for purity. In the planner, 1 kg at 99.9% purity becomes approximately 32.1186 fine troy ounces. The conversion is 31.1034768 grams per troy ounce.
2. What is the ownership structure?
Ask whether you own specific metal, a share of identified metal, or a contractual claim against a provider. “Allocated” should be explained in the agreement, with identification and recordkeeping procedures.
3. How can holdings be checked?
Look for bar lists, ownership records, reconciliation dates and independent inspection arrangements. BullionVault’s published daily audit is one example of a reconciliation procedure; it is a provider-specific arrangement.
BullionVault · Undated; checked 14 November 20264. What is the all-in acquisition cost?
Include the metal value, dealer premium, applicable tax, delivery and payment costs. Tax depends on location, product and arrangement; enter your own confirmed rate in the planner.
5. What happens when I sell or withdraw?
Check bid discounts, minimum lot sizes, withdrawal charges, settlement time and transport. A modelled exit spot price does not guarantee a dealer will offer that price.
6. What standards apply to the product?
Good Delivery concerns eligibility for the wholesale London market. It is not a blanket accreditation of every size of retail product made by a listed refiner.
LBMA · Undated; checked 14 November 2026A checklist, not a recommendation
Silver can lose value. Provider failure, custody arrangements, liquidity, tax and currency exposure require their own assessment. The planner makes arithmetic visible and does not decide whether a purchase suits you.