Legal tender coins were often made of silver, because just like gold it is very rare and valuable. In addition, silver has properties that make it particularly suitable for coins. This includes the beautiful shine and the resiliency of silver as a precious metal. When silver tarnishes it forms the so-called silver sulfide, but by polishing it is relatively easy to remove. Note to investors: As silver naturally tarnishes do not polish the coin as the weight will be lower afterwards and therefore effect the trading value. A tarnished coin does not change in value. Today silver coins are no longer in circulation, but are minted for investors or collectors. Investors appreciate its value and many applications, resulting from the needs of industry and crafts. Investment silver coins nowadays usually have a fine weight of about 999/1000, some of them even have a fine weight of 999.9/1000 and thus consist of (almost) pure silver.

 

Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf silver coin was introduced in 1988. The official Mint is the Royal Canadian Mint, based in Ottawa, Canada. With production in the double-digit millions of coins, the Maple Leaf 1 oz is one of the best-selling silver coins in the world. Customers from all over the world appreciate the high fineness of 999.9/1000 and the consistent appearance, which makes the Maple Leaf very recognisable. In 2013 a security feature called laser engram was added and consists of the last two digits of the year of issue. It is located directly below the motif on the front. A small maple leaf can be seen there. Maple Leaf silver coins have a rippled edge and an edge rod. The design of the front is a maple leaf and on the back is the profile of Queen Elizabeth II.

Name          Fineweight             Diameter             Thickness                Nominal Value

Maple Leaf  31.103 g              38.0 mm              3.15 mm                 5 CAD

 

Vienna Philharmonic

The Vienna Philharmonic 1 oz silver coin was introduced in 2008. Just like the Maple Leaf the Philharmonic is one of the best-selling silver bullion coins worldwide. Vienna Philharmonic coins are produced in Austria, by the Austrian Mint AG which is the official mint of Austria. The nice consistent appearance and the high fineness of 999/1000 makes the Vienna Philharmonic very popular with investors, especially since the premium is a little less than other silver coins. The Vienna Philharmonic is also available as a gold coin, which is the most successful bullion coin in Europe. The Philharmonic is slightly different to other investment-silver coins as it has a smooth knurling not a rippled edge. The design on the front shows the representation of eight instruments of classical music, there are: horn, bassoon, harp, cello, viola and violin. The design on the reverse features a famous Austrian organ, it is in the golden hall of the Vienna “Musikverein”.

Name                             Fineweight          Diameter         Thickness            Nominal Value

Vienna Philharmonic       31.103 g                   37.0 mm          3.20 mm             1.50 Euro

 

American Eagle

The silver American Eagle of the United States of America is also one of the best-selling bullion coins in the world. The appearance of the American Eagle has not changed since the first edition in 1986. This consistent design and appearance also holds true for the Maple Leaf and the Vienna Philharmonic which is valued by investors. The official mint of the American Eagle is the United States Mint, which is under the department of the treasury. The coin has a fineness of 999/1000, a weight of 1 ounce and the denomination of one dollar. The design of the front shows Lady Liberty "Walking Liberty". The reverse side has a motif of the representation of the Great Seal of the United States.

Name                          Fineweight                Diameter                 Thickness            Nominal Value

American Eagle          31.103 g                 40.6 mm          2.98 mm             1 USD

 

Britannia

The 1 oz Silver Britannia is one of the best-selling silver coins in the United Kingdom. The Royal Mint started to produce the Britannia from 1997 to 2012 with a fineness of 958/1000. Beginning in 2013 the fineness of the Britannia silver was increased to 999/1000. The silver coin is minted every year and the design on the front changes at irregular intervals. However, it is always a depiction of Britannia which is seen as an allegory for the British Channel Islands. Queen Elizabeth II is shown on the back of the Britannia Silver.

Name                  Fineweight             Diameter             Thickness                Nominal Value

Britannia          31.103 g              40 mm              3.1 mm                 2 Pounds 

Australian Kookaburra

The Australian Silver Kookaburra coin is issued by the Perth Mint in Australia. The Kookaburra is available in weights of 1 oz, 2 oz, 10 oz and 1 Kg. The theme changes every year but always shows a representation of a kingfisher. The name of the coin is derived from Australia’s largest kingfisher bird which is a Kookaburra. The coin has a fineness of 999/1000 and is produced in editions of up to 300,000. The design on the reverse shows Queen Elizabeth II.

Fineweight               Diameter                Thickness                 Nominal Value from 1992

1 oz                    40.6 mm             4.0 mm                1 AUD

2 oz                    53.3 mm             4.5 mm                2 AUD

10 oz                    75.5 mm             8.7 mm                10 AUD

1 Kg                    101 mm             14.4 mm                 30 AUD