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Short answer
Silver buying starts with today's silver spot price + a product premium (typically 8–20% for rounds, 3–10% for bars, 4–12% for coins). Platinum has narrower availability and tighter premium ranges (3–10% over spot for recognized bullion).
Buying silver: coins, rounds, bars, junk-silver lots
Silver comes in more forms than gold. Government bullion coins (American Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, Austrian Philharmonics) carry the highest recognition and a 12–20% premium over today's silver spot. Privately-minted rounds (Sunshine, A-Mark, generic) trade at lower premium (8–15%) because they don't have legal-tender status. Bullion bars from recognized refineries (PAMP, Credit Suisse, Engelhard) come in 1oz to 100oz sizes — larger bars run lower premium per ounce. Junk-silver lots (pre-1965 US 90%-silver dimes/quarters/halves) trade at 3–8% over their melt content and are popular for divisibility and recognizability. Silver premiums can swing dramatically with demand cycles — during the 2020–2021 spike, Silver Eagle premiums hit 50% over spot.
Buying platinum: rarer availability, narrower product range
Platinum bullion is much less commonly stocked than gold or silver. Recognized forms include American Platinum Eagles (1oz government coins), Canadian Platinum Maple Leafs, PAMP Suisse platinum bars (1g to 1oz typical), and Valcambi platinum. Premium over spot for platinum bullion typically runs 3–10% — tighter than gold-coin premiums because platinum has less retail demand. Pt950, Pt900, and Pt850 jewelry secondary stock occasionally moves through our counter (estate sales, settlement liquidations) and can be a way to buy platinum below standard bullion premium if you don't need a recognizable coin form. Call ahead — platinum stock varies week to week.
What we typically have on hand — and how to ask
Silver Eagles, Maple Leafs, and Krugerrand silver pieces are common in our stock. Bullion silver bars (1oz to 10oz) come in and out depending on market flow. Junk-silver lots (90%-silver US coins) are usually available. Platinum is hit-or-miss — we sometimes have Platinum Eagles or PAMP platinum bars, but availability varies. Always call or text before visiting if you're targeting a specific product (e.g., '5 Silver Eagles' or '1oz Pt bar'). We can also source specific orders with a few days' lead time.
Buying Silver and Platinum in San Diego: Premiums, Purity, and Availability FAQ
Is silver cheaper to buy because it's worth less per ounce than gold?
Yes — silver costs about 1/80th of gold per ounce at current ratios. But product premiums on silver are typically much higher in percentage terms (8–20% over spot vs gold's 4–8%), so the gap in dollar terms isn't always as wide as the per-ounce comparison suggests. Storage also matters: $10,000 of silver weighs about 9 pounds vs about 4 ounces for the same dollar value in gold.
Is platinum always available?
Not necessarily. Platinum bullion has a much smaller secondary market than gold or silver, so stock varies week to week. Call or text before visiting if you're targeting a specific platinum product. We can source most recognized forms with a few days' lead time.
Can I trade silver coins for gold?
Yes. We do silver-for-gold and gold-for-silver swaps regularly. The math is straightforward: we buy your silver at our standard rate, then sell you gold at our standard rate. You pay the spread between the two. Plan the swap with us by phone or text so we can make sure the gold form you want is in stock the day you visit.
Do you stock platinum bars?
Sometimes. PAMP Suisse and Valcambi platinum bars in 1g, 5g, and 1oz sizes move through our inventory occasionally. Platinum Eagles are easier to keep in stock than bars. Call ahead with your target product and weight — we can either tell you what's on hand or place a sourcing order.
What's the cheapest way to buy silver in San Diego?
Per-ounce, junk-silver lots (pre-1965 US 90%-silver coins) typically have the lowest premium over melt — usually 3–8% over silver spot content. Large generic-round lots are next cheapest. Government bullion coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs) cost more per ounce but are the most universally recognized for resale.
