For the last 10 years or more, I have been collecting American Silver Eagle Coins (ASE). Up until this year, the markup has been at most 2 bucks per coin. Why is the markup in 2021 over 10 bucks? And, more importantly, will this incredibly expensive markup always be this high from now on?

varied availability of physical versus spot(paper price) - thus price over spot is far higher for real, physical silver.

I am not an expert.


I've been watching mass interest in new persons interested in accumulating physical precious metals. Silver is the most approachable.

I'm in that camp also.

I listened to a long podcast some time back with a bunch of the larger silver distributors and suppliers (like APMEX) discussing low availability, and artificial influences historically in keeping silver prices down. I didn't understand most of it, but they all agreed that the silver market is changing.

I don't buy to hold and sell later, as a means of making money. I'm buying for other reasons, largely related to distrust of places where most people park their money, and what I see as a coming wave of persecution of certain peoples, of which I believe I will be among.

AK, I'm like you -not thinking of buying low and selling high - just wanting to have something to barter with when the dollar crashes.

About ten years ago, I wanted to get something for my nieces and nephews on their birthdays that would be different, so I bought them some ASEs. Since then, I have helped them get un-circulated ASEs from every year starting in 1986. I wanted to continue the idea and buy them some 2021 ASEs. But, the fee is almost 12 bucks. That amounts to $120 just for the retailer's markup, and that seems ridiculous since I am accustomed to paying only a couple of bucks over spot per coin.

As of today, every silver coin retailer I have checked online (approximately 20 sites) has 2021 ASEs IN STOCK.

Physical supply is less than the current demand.

This will not last forever. Like all commodities, metals run in cycles and are currently in a bull market. No way to tell how much longer it will be before it starts turning down again, too many variables right now.

Right now the “market” knows the dollar is over valued and the capital markets are really jacked up.

Sadly, I don’t think the voters are educated enough to support reform to the capital markets.

And,there’s not enough PM for the big boys to go in. Just doing a 7MM/year buy takes all kinds of hoops

It's exactly what is occuring with ammunition. Lots of demand, not enough supply. It will balance out and go back eventually. However, it is possible that the premium you would pay now for physical gold or silver (vs paper) is less than the appreciated future price with no extra add on cost. Many think that is the case, that's why they are buying now.

You'll see the same thing with Ford trucks. They won't have any to sell, so you'll be paying full sticker price, or more for a while until supply catches up. (not enough computer chips)