Silver vs gold conundrum

I have a bit of an internal struggle with silver be gold and would appreciate your thoughts.

I currently have 9 oz of silver as I focus heavily on gold. Some days I wonder if I’m missing out since silver is so cheap.

The only issue is, I move every 2 years for work, often to remote locations with a cap on total weight I’m able to move. Over time I imagine the silver will get very heavy.

Do I…

1) Continue focusing on gold to minimize total weight.
2) Buy a couple of kilo or 100 oz silver bars just to have them and get more exposure.
3) Pay monthly for storage at a Bullion dealer, and stock up on silver.


Thanks in advance.

That is a problem @USP . I love silver for the miniature works of art that are produced, I'm not stacking as a hedge, but it does get heavy.
Eventually, you're going to have a problem with gold, whether weight or the security risk of carrying such a value around and leaving it wherever you happen to be staying at the time.
In your place, I would be looking at a vault to store the metal. @Admin is the expert on that. There is a cost, but it should be secure. Obviously, I don't know how far you are away from retirement or a permanent posting, but the cost of storage may be an economic option. Alternatively, do you have a (very) trusted friend or family member who would be prepared to store a few ounces in a locked box for you?

USP wrote:I have a bit of an internal struggle with silver be gold and would appreciate your thoughts.

I currently have 9 oz of silver as I focus heavily on gold.  Some days I wonder if I’m missing out since silver is so cheap.

The only issue is, I move every 2 years for work, often to remote locations with a cap on total weight I’m able to move. Over time I imagine the silver will get very heavy.

Do I…

1) Continue focusing on gold to minimize total weight.
2) Buy a couple of kilo or 100 oz silver bars just to have them and get more exposure.
3) Pay monthly for storage at a Bullion dealer, and stock up on silver.


Thanks in advance.

I believe your in the USA..... if memory serves. So I can not comment on physical vaulting there. I am sure there are companies that will secure and do what I use over here in the UK.

Here are some of the things to consider when storing gold and silver with a vaulting service.

They often ( mine does ) value the items and as and when prices go up and down you will get a modified bill for insurance.
Transport is another thing to look into. How long do they take to deliver and or pick up items. And what are the charges you will face.
location!!!! You need a vaulting service to be accessible wherever you are. This means if your in Washington state or Florida or Connecticut. Can they still or will they still work with you?

I personally think at the moment for your collection you could EASILY get away with a SMALL firearms safe. Yes it will be heavy, but it is also portable enough that your precious metals would be secured. You would not need to miss out. My boys have one each, And in a basic .... starter box... ie ammo safe, you can easily get a few hundred oz bars in, and if you wanted the gold coins in as well.... no problem at all.

My personal view is that having gold and silver and Platinum is a great way forward to release cash at a moments notice or to even progress in your stacking. A lot of people do this. I dont have the energy to sell for profit my personal collections. But i do enjoy looking at them.

The decision is yours. Silver for the most part is easy and for resale and profit wise go for 10oz bars instead of 100oz bars... I had a heck of a time trying to sell one 3 years ago...but have sold plenty of 10oz bars. Heck even kilo bars are better. But there is nothing like the feel of the 100oz bar. it seriously strains your wrist when trying to hold it with one hand.

Your call. Dont miss out... Both are rising and silver you have less to loose. Gold well has risen a lot and could drop at a moments notice... so keep that in mind. I am sure I do not need to tell you that.

Anyway good luck. Keep me posted.

Thank you for the quick replies!

I have a large safe at home with several cameras/security measures. My current stack is also fully insured with a private insurance company who specializes in precious metals/coin collections. Given that, I’m not too concerned about the security side of things right now.

As for location, I live in the Canadian Arctic. When I move I transport the collection with me in a locked pelican case, transport is also covered by insurance.

I think I’ll buy two silver kilo bars just to start, then continue with gold.

Canadian Arctic! That makes me shiver just thinking about it  @USP .  
Mind you, a couple of polar bears hanging around would probably be pretty good security. At least as far as the metal is concerned.

It’s not so bad once you acclimatize I’ll soon be moving to ~72nd parallel, I’ll share polar bear photos every now and again.

Yes please @USP . I would love to see polar bears in their home environment. I like that musk ox too.
The scenery is absolutely stunning, thanks for sharing those photos with us.
By 'acclimatise' do you mean growing a fur coat?

Their natural habitat will be the dump unfortunately , it’s the most reliable place to see them while the ocean is thawing or freezing (spring/fall).

That photo is of a wood bison, but I do have some nice one of muskox:




Haha not quite a fur coat… but after weeks of -30 C it becomes normal, and doesn’t feel too uncomfortable. Once you get into the -40s and 50s it gets a bit more annoying.

You can tell I'm not a naturalist! I might be able to recognise a polar bear though.
I think we'll have to agree to differ on -30 C being not too uncomfortable  . I'm a wuss.

I get your issue regarding transport now. 2 Kilo bars wont break your bank nor make your life hard. But compared to the gold will be a noticeable difference.

To be fair from an investment point of view both metals have done around the same over the last 12-18months so if you had money in either of them there wouldn't be much difference from one to the other on your returns & long term both are trending up anyway.
Although i personally would always suggest to go more heavier on the gold, like don't get me wrong you'd definitely want some silver in the stack so you haven't got all your eggs in one basket.
But for storage & mobility gold will always be the better option in my book, seeing as you could easily pop $10k worth of gold in your pocket & it not even be noticeable, but you'd need a rucksack filled to the brim if it was $10k of silver, not to mention it would probably weigh around 20lb's too.

Diaxus wrote:To be fair from an investment point of view both metals have done around the same over the last 12-18months so if you had money in either of them there wouldn't be much difference from one to the other on your returns & long term both are trending up anyway.
Although i personally would always suggest to go more heavier on the gold, like don't get me wrong you'd definitely want some silver in the stack so you haven't got all your eggs in one basket.
But for storage & mobility gold will always be the better option in my book, seeing as you could easily pop $10k worth of gold in your pocket & it not even be noticeable, but you'd need a rucksack filled to the brim if it was $10k of silver, not to mention it would probably weigh around 20lb's too.

Appreciate your reply. Since starting this topic I bit the bullet on a 1kg silver bar (Perth), as well as 4 more oz of gold. I’m definitely heavier into gold but this will balance it out a bit.

Appreciate your reply. Since starting this topic I bit the bullet on a 1kg silver bar (Perth), as well as 4 more oz of gold. I’m definitely heavier into gold but this will balance it out a bit. [/quote]

Oh wow that sounds amazing, i love the stuff from the Perth mint they do some really beautiful designs.
What design did you go for with your 1kg bar?

Diaxus wrote:Oh wow that sounds amazing, i love the stuff from the Perth mint they do some really beautiful designs.
What design did you go for with your 1kg bar?

I went with the new design, I’ve yet to receive it… shipping up here takes a bit. Im excited to put it in my case! …. And to not buy silver again for a long time. Haha

Well i hope it doesn't take too long to get to you @USP.
I'm pretty new to collecting but i've only just got my first ever piece from the Perth mint, grabbed myself a couple of the 2024 1oz silver lunar dragons & also got my first maple in that package too so i'm really happy about that.
Trying to get at least one of all the main coins from around the world/mints for the collection, still got quite a few to go yet tho, but it's fun getting 'em

Which ones do you need? PM me your address and I’ll mail you one.

Wow really @USP that would be amazing, probably easier to say the ones i have opposed to the one i need cuz i've only got a Britannia, George & Dragon, Maple & Lunar Dragon so far.
I'm only 3 months into my collecting journey so i don't have many designs yet.

No problem at all, I can send you a Krugerrand, kangaroo, or American silver eagle, your pick.

USP wrote:No problem at all, I can send you a Krugerrand, kangaroo, or American silver eagle, your pick.

Tell you what i'll PM you now & you can surprise me, i've just started to do some YouTube videos on my channel again & that would make for a super cool video, unboxing a surprise parcel from overseas.

Works for me, I’ll ship it out first thing on Tuesday.

you should have a private message @USP
Dude honestly, you're an absolute legend if you do that!!!

We do have some really lovely members on the Forum.  
@Diaxus if you sign up for the Secret Santa you'll get a surprise ounce of silver to add to your collection. You do have to send one out too, but hey
@USP the way Canada Post operates, Diaxus will probably get your generous gift by Christmas. Christmas 2025, that is.

That’s so accurate, TCM .

USP wrote:That’s so accurate, TCM .

I speak from experience @USP . Postcards from Vancouver took about seven weeks to get to the UK. I think they're in competition with Royal Mail to see who can give the worst service, but so far it's Canada Post by a country mile. Whatever @SilverTrader says about RM, they can't compete.

The Cat's Mother wrote:We do have some really lovely members on the Forum.  
@Diaxus if you sign up for the Secret Santa you'll get a surprise ounce of silver to add to your collection. You do have to send one out too, but hey
@USP the way Canada Post operates, Diaxus will probably get your generous gift by Christmas. Christmas 2025, that is.

Yea that could be fun @The Cat's Mother only issue everybody has 100% already got everything i have, can you imagine the disapointment on thier face when they open it to see a bog standard brit i'll have a think about that one & see if i can pick something up cuz that would be fun & would make for some aditional content over on my channel.