December 29, 2022

Blessings beloved ones,

I, “a soul”, am presenting to followers of this blog, MaryRefugeOfSouls, the first of two articles, which I hope will help people looking to preserve and maintain their wealth in this challenging time when much paper (fiat) money is losing value due to inflation. This first article is about silver rounds and the next article will be about fractional gold. My hope is that both articles will help people prepare for these uncertain economic times. Please be sure to read both articles, so you can make the best informed decision for yourself. Please note that I am NOT a financial broker or dealer or tax or legal expert. So, I urge you to investigate further and seek professional help based on your situation. I am just giving you my opinions based on my personal experiences as a Christian believer. Note, I make no money and no commission on any of the links in this first article.

As followers may recall, I have written before about Miraculous Medal Medjugorje Silver Rounds offered by Century Silver Exchange (https://www.centurysilver.com). I have bought one ounce silver rounds from Century Silver for over a decade and they are a fantastic, caring Christian company to deal with. The silver spot price has fluctuated a lot during the more than 12 years that I have bought silver rounds. I have seen the silver spot price go between about USD $15 to a high of about USD $50 an ounce. Today’s average is about USD $25. Regardless of how much I have paid for my silver rounds, I have always felt that the rounds were worth the cost, because the holy images found on the rounds “sanctify” the rounds making them “honest money” for when it comes time to use them (when the economy collapses). Today, I have collected several one ounce Miraculous Medal Medjugorje Silver Rounds, usually buying a few rounds one-two times a year. They come in airtight coin tubes, which is very important for keeping silver from oxidation (tarnishing). The rounds that I bought over a decade ago still look as beautiful today (2022).

I did not know how important it is to keep silver in airtight containers until recently. Unfortunately, I made a mistake years ago and bought some Valcambi Combibars — 100 gram bars in silver. Although I paid a good price for them (because silver was much cheaper years ago), I did not realize that they would oxidize in their officially sealed assay holders. So, today, the combibars are showing oxidation and there is no way for me to clean them without breaking the seal. I am really disappointed by this and I do not recommend Valcambi Silver Combibars to anyone. The Valcambi Gold Combibars are OK, because gold does not oxide (tarnish).

I had bought the silver combibars because I wanted silver in smaller increments than one ounce, but they are not worth it in my opinion, unless you know how to properly store them. Also, today, precious metal dealers are commanding about $150 or more for a 100 gram Valcambi Silver Combibar and they only have about $100 actual value of silver. So, you are paying about a $50 premium for the convenience of having a 100 gram silver bar divisible into smaller one gram increments. It is simply not worth it, especially with the oxidation issues.

Instead, if you are looking for silver in smaller increments – either 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, or 1/10 ounce, you can purchase up to 10 of each at a time in Miraculous Medal Medjugorje Silver Rounds on the Century Silver Exchange website. They will come in airtight coin tubes and yes, the fractional rounds that I bought several years ago still look beautiful. The only reason that I ventured out with buying the Valcambi Silver Combibars is because I was trying to get a better value for my dollar, but my oxidation issues prove I was buying the bars for the “wrong” reason. Clearly, if possible, it is far better to get silver with holy images, which sanctify your wealth and might one day result in a person’s conversion.

Early on, when I was first starting out, I did buy several 1/10 silver ounces with a US Walking Liberty design from a different mint and kept them in airtight coin tubes. These smaller rounds also look very nice today, but they are also stamped with the words, “In God We Trust”. So, I do believe that if you want silver in smaller incremental amounts, it is important to recognize God somehow in the design. A definite lesson learned for me!

When I was first starting out over a decade ago in buying silver rounds, there really were not a lot of choices for Christian designs on silver. Basically, the only cost-effective choice was the Miraculous Medal Medjugorje Silver Rounds. However, today (2022), there more options on the bullion market.

In this article, I want to introduce you all to the Scottsdale Mint in Arizona, USA (https://www.scottsdalemint.com). I want to recommend them for both their “Jesus” coin collection and their “stacker” rounds and bars. First, let me discuss their Jesus coins. Their Jesus coins are actual legal tender (currency) in the country of Samoa. Note, Samoa is different from American Samoa, which is an official territory of the USA. In contrast, the country of Samoa broke away from New Zealand and used to be known as Western Samoa until 1997. It is a very Christian island nation and it shows in their money, especially, with having Our Lord, Jesus Christ, on their coins.

Minted by Scottsdale, their Jesus coins are notable for three reasons. One, the Jesus one ounce and 1/2 ounce silver coins are cheaper to buy than the equivalent Miraculous Medal Medjugorje Silver Rounds. Two, you can buy the Jesus coins in gold. And three, a significant portion of each coin is donated to charity, especially, benefiting African children. I do know with the Miraculous Medal Medjugorje Silver Rounds, a portion benefits the Caritas Community in Alabama, USA, which I believe in supporting as the world’s largest Medjugorje apostolate. However, the exact amount that Caritas receives is not disclosed online. In contrast, the exact USD given to charity by Scottsdale Mint for each coin can be found on their website. It varies depending on the coin increment and precious metal.

Besides the Jesus coins, the Scottsdale Mint also produces their “stacker” silver rounds and bars. I like them, because their mascot is a lion with a crown — definitely, a subtle nod to Christianity, the Lion of Judah, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. They come in increments of 100 gram, 2 ounce, and 5 ounce silver rounds, as well as 10 ounce, one kilo, and 100 ounce silver bars. The silver rounds and bars are called, stackers, because you can inter-mix them, as you do not need the same kind for them to “lock” together creating a stack. So, all the different rounds will stack together, likewise, with the silver bars.

Depending on the quantity, you may receive the silver rounds in coin flips, coin capsules, or coin tubes. Make sure they are airtight, otherwise, you may need to buy separate airtight containers for the silver rounds, or you may need to store the larger bars with a dehumidifying crystal which will slow down oxidation. I have found that the company called SD Bullion (https://sdbullion.com) is a good choice for fair prices on silver rounds / bars from Scottsdale Mint, as well as for coin containers, dehumidifying crystals, etc. You can also purchase coins / rounds / bars directly from Scottsdale Mint. Both companies will cater to international buyers and ship outside the US.

In closing, I want to address why I believe it is important to prepare monetarily now. Clearly, everyone is concerned as our world economy seems to be imploding and the costs of goods and services is escalating. Owning gold and silver is an excellent hedge when paper money loses it value, especially, when an economy is collapsing. I believe in owning both for many reasons. Firstly, both gold and silver are sound money, having been used as currency by governments and nations for thousands of years. It is also biblical being recognized in Sacred Scriptures as honest money.

Owning gold and silver also gives peace of mind when paper (fiat) currency gets devalued which earns less purchasing power over time. During times of trouble, gold and silver naturally increase in value while paper currency falls in value. It has intrinsic value, as once you have a gold or silver piece, it maintains its weight and purity. Meanwhile, paper currency can be ripped apart, burned, or destroyed. Paper is as plentiful as trees, while there is decreasing finite amounts of gold and silver in various mines in the world. Paper currency is only as valuable as how many people believe in its perceived value. But, if people loose confidence in it, paper currency becomes worthless – sometimes overnight.

Also, it is good to own both a mix of gold and silver, because while gold is sometimes confiscated by governments in a currency crisis, less so with silver. Also, silver is at an excellent buying price compared to gold. Currently (2022), the spot price for an ounce of gold is about USD $1,800 versus the spot price for an ounce of silver is about USD $25. Historically, though, the ratio has been 17 ounces of silver equaling one ounce of gold. So, hypothetically, if the economy were to collapse, if gold simply maintained its value, silver might increase to USD $105 an ounce. However, that is clearly, a very conservative estimate. For example, at one time in ancient Eypgt, 3 ounces of silver equalled one ounce of gold. So, I believe it is a good idea to own both gold and silver, because both have the potential to significantly increase resulting in preserving your purchasing power and hard-earned wealth.

Finally, I want to add that owning silver in smaller increments like 1/2, 1/4, and 1/10 ounce rounds is also a good idea, because while silver is a good value now, if it increases significantly per ounce, you will need smaller increments to pay for common household goods and services. Currently, I only invest in silver rounds and silver bars that are 0.999% in purity. I do not invest in US pre-1965 silver coins, which are about 90% in purity. This is simply because it is easier for me to keep track of what I own in silver ounces and grams. Honestly, I do not know much about the US silver coin market, but if I ever have the time to learn more and invest in US pre-1965 silver coins, I will update you all with my thoughts. Meanwhile, for me, having 0.999% silver rounds and bars are the best method.

Thank you for considering my words. I hope that this article proves helpful to you all.

God bless,
a soul

Further Notes:

• Spot price is the asking price for a precious metal on the international currency / commodity markets. Typically, precious metal dealers and exchanges will add a premium above the spot price so they can cover mint manufacturing costs, insurance, etc., and to earn a profit. So, for example, while the spot price for an ounce of silver might be USD $25, the buyer will likely pay $30 or more for the finished coin or round.
• Coins typically have more valuable because they are backed as currency by a recognized government. However, a one ounce coin and a one ounce round with 0.999% purity have exactly the same amount of gold or silver in the pieces. So, minted rounds can have the best cost value over minted coins, because they can be cheaper to buy for the same content of gold or silver. Note, silver rounds can also cost more if they are minted and sold as collectibles.
• Both gold and silver are measured in units of troy ounces and grams. Troy ounces are not the same as the avoirdupois ounce, which is the United States customary and British imperial ounce. A troy ounce weighs more than an avoirdupois ounce.
• One troy ounce equals 31.1034768 grams. 100 grams equals 3.21507466 troy ounces.
• One avoirdupois ounce equals 28.349523125 grams. Copper is often measured in avoirdupois ounces. I do not recommend copper as an investment due to oxidation issues.
• Oftentimes, mints will add 1/100th of an ounce more gold or silver to their products, so they will measure at least the minimum necessary to meet or exceed standards for international trading. So, for example, a troy ounce will be at least 31.1034768 grams worth of gold or silver, but usually a 1/100th more. Same, for products measured in grams, etc.

VIDEO – 7 Things I Wish I Knew As A Beginner Silver Stacker (15:26 minutes)
https://youtu.be/BtKJABSPExo

VIDEO – How to Clean Silver Coins at Home (Cheap and Easy!) (3:20 minutes)
https://youtu.be/gZmXjt5H_q8

ALSO SEE:

December 2022 – Article #2 of 2 – My Experiences and Recommendations on Buying Fractional Gold (Goldbacks) – By a soul – MaryRefugeOfSouls
https://maryrefugeofsouls.com/2022/12/30/december-2022-article-2-of-2-my-experiences-and-recommendations-on-buying-fractional-gold-goldbacks-by-a-soul-maryrefugeofsouls/