Silver Prices per Ounce  Why is the silver price per ounce for
American Silver Eagle Coins and Silver Buffalo Rounds so
different? It's perhaps the most commonly asked question of
bullion dealers from first-time buyers.  The answer must
inevitably begin with the definitions of "spot price" and
"premium." The silver price quoted on standard price charts is
the "over-the-counter" spot price for a one thousand troy ounce
silver bar on the commodities exchange. While these bars are
available for mass market investors, they are far less popular
than one ounce coins.  Silver Coin Prices  There are many
factors which contribute to the "premium" for silver bullion.
The premium is the mark-up above the spot price charged by mints
and dealers for the cost of minting, sourcing, storing, and
shipping silver bullion to customers.  As a general rule, the
larger the denomination of silver, the lower the premium per
ounce. For example, the premiums per ounce for a one-hundred
ounce silver bar are typically much smaller than