Solomon Global has been featured in USA TODAY as part of its latest analysis of the physical silver market, with Managing Director Paul Williams providing expert commentary on silver demand, premiums and the differences between owning silver coins and bars.
Published on 12 September 2026, the article “Silver coins or silver bars? How to choose the right investment” explores key considerations for those looking to own physical silver, including pricing, liquidity, storage, and resale.
Growing Demand for Physical Silver
USA TODAY highlights silver as one of the more accessible precious metals, offering a lower entry price per ounce than gold while providing direct ownership of a tangible asset.
Discussing current demand, Paul Williams, Managing Director of Solomon Global, told USA TODAY:
“With increasing prices for [silver and gold], there is a clear increase in demand for silver as people look for a comfortable entry point.”
The article notes that investors considering physical silver will typically encounter three main formats: government-issued bullion coins, privately minted bars and silver rounds.
While each provides exposure to the underlying silver price, the costs and practical considerations associated with owning them can differ significantly.
Silver Coins vs Silver Bars
Government-issued bullion coins, such as the British Silver Britannia, American Silver Eagle and Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, are typically produced in relatively small denominations and are widely recognised.
This can make coins particularly useful for those who value flexibility, as individual coins can be sold separately rather than requiring a larger holding to be liquidated at once.
Silver bars, meanwhile, can provide a more cost-efficient way of acquiring larger quantities of physical silver. Their simpler production process generally means they are available at lower premiums over the underlying spot price, particularly as bar sizes increase.
As Williams explains:
“Silver often sees a markup of 25% to 35%.”
Because of these premiums, the amount of physical silver acquired for a given budget can vary considerably depending on the product selected.
Discussing the potential advantage of bars, Williams added:
“This means investors can often acquire more metal for the same budget.”
Why Premiums Matter When Buying Silver
The spot price represents the underlying market price of silver, but physical silver products are generally purchased at a premium above this level.
That premium can reflect manufacturing, distribution and dealer costs, as well as prevailing levels of market demand.
USA TODAY notes that premiums can represent a particularly significant proportion of the purchase price for silver because the underlying metal has a much lower value per ounce than gold.
Bars will typically carry lower premiums than equivalent quantities of silver purchased as individual coins. However, purchase price is only one consideration.
Recognised government-issued coins can benefit from widespread familiarity in the secondary market, while some coins may also attract additional collector demand depending on factors such as scarcity, condition and mintage.
Flexibility When Selling Physical Silver
Liquidity is another important distinction highlighted by USA TODAY.
Smaller bullion coins allow owners to sell portions of their holdings without necessarily disposing of a larger quantity of silver at once.
Williams told USA TODAY:
“Investors holding coins have often benefited from the ability to sell incrementally. Rather than liquidating an entire large bar, they can release smaller units.”
Larger bars can be efficient for acquiring and storing substantial quantities of silver, but selling them can require a larger transaction.
For this reason, some physical precious metals buyers choose to hold a combination of bars and recognised bullion coins, balancing the lower premiums associated with bars against the divisibility and potential resale flexibility of coins.
Storage Is an Important Consideration
Physical silver also presents different storage considerations to gold.
Because silver has a lower value per ounce, a substantial monetary holding requires considerably more physical space. The choice between coins and bars can therefore become increasingly important as the size of a holding grows.
Bars are generally more space-efficient, while individual coins provide greater flexibility when dividing or selling a holding.
Secure storage, insurance and transportation should therefore form part of the decision when purchasing larger quantities of physical precious metals.
Choosing Between Silver Coins and Bars
There is no single format that will suit every buyer.
Silver coins can offer recognisability, smaller denominations and greater flexibility when selling individual units. Silver bars can offer lower premiums and greater storage efficiency, particularly when purchasing larger quantities.
The most appropriate option ultimately depends on factors including budget, intended holding period, storage requirements and how an owner expects to sell their silver in the future.
Solomon Global Managing Director Paul Williams’ contribution to USA TODAY’s analysis reflects the company’s growing role in the wider conversation surrounding physical precious metals and the factors buyers should consider when deciding how to own them.
Source: USA TODAY, “Silver coins or silver bars? How to choose the right investment”, published 12 September 2026.
Read the full article here.
This summary is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.
