Buying Coins With $100 (The Smartest Entry Point)

$100 is the perfect "test amount." It is enough to buy real weight, but small enough that you won't panic if the price drops.

The Challenge: Shipping Costs

Most online dealers charge shipping on orders under $199. If you buy 3 oz of silver for $90 and pay $10 shipping, you effectively paid a $3.33 per ounce surcharge. That is bad math.

The Strategy

Option A: The Local Coin Shop (LCS)

• Best For: Instant gratification. No shipping.
• What to Buy:
  • 3-4 ounces of Generic Silver Rounds.
  • OR: $4.00 Face Value of Junk Silver (Dimes/Quarters).
• Why: Cash trade. Privacy. Relationship building.

Option B: The "Add-On" Order

• Best For: Getting free shipping.
• Strategy: Don't buy alone. Find a friend.
• "Hey, I'm putting in a silver order. Want to throw in $100 to save on shipping?"
• Combine funds to hit the free shipping threshold ($199+).

What to AVOID with $100

• Don't buy fractional bars (1 gram, 5 gram). The premiums are insane (often 100%+).
• Don't buy graded coins. A slabbed Eagle costs $40-$80. You get too little silver for your money.

The Golden Rule: At the $100 level, your goal is Ounces, not Rarity.