My personal Story My interest in precious metals started as a child. As a little boy, pirates, treasure maps and treasure chests filled with silver and gold captured my imagination. While I had zero intellectual understanding about the differences between fiat currency and real money, I was instinctively conscious of the value and worth of [...]
You have done your research. You have listened to the experts. It is time to make your first purchase. In fact, whether you are a first-time investor, or a seasoned purchaser, due diligence on the seller is vital. Below is a list of due diligence questions you should consider before making an online purchase [...]
What accounts for the lack of interest in platinum in South Africa? In this blog, I will address this question, and provide a brief thought on the future of platinum as an investment alternative. Please note that I will not address why platinum is a good investment. Rather, the focus is why it seems to [...]
Bullion coins and bars are generally classified into three categories, namely, brilliant uncirculated (BU), Secondary Market (SM) or circulated (C), and cull. Even for seasoned investors, these terms can be confusing. For example, how can a bullion coin be circulated? Bullion coins are not circulation coins, like currency. What is the difference between a secondary [...]
This question is one of the most frequently asked questions not only by those who recently became precious metals investors, but also by seasoned investors. My answer to this question is this: 25% gold and 75% silver. This short article is not an attempt to provide three points that make the case for my answer. [...]
Our top selling International bullion coins. The American Silver Eagle, South African Silver Krugerrand, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf and Australian Silver Kangaroo. If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). I want to buy [...]
Where will my silver be stored? The silver will be stored with Knox Titanium Vaults, in Killarney. Is my silver insured? Yes, Silver-sphere Trading and the content held on the behalf of our clients is covered by Art Insure, who are underwritten by Hollard. Art Insure is a specialist insurance company that covers works of [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). Since the news has hit social media that a first ever bullion silver Krugerrand release is on the horizon, we have been inundated with emails and phone calls. [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). Recently, Mike Maloney released a video in which he highlights his personal motivations for buying silver and gold. The video was born out of desire to provide a [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). Investopedia describes investment bubbles to go through five stages: Displacement—innovative new idea or technology that has the potential to change the status quo. Boom—exponential price growth, much media [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). We are pleased to announce that as of the 22nd of May 2017, Silver-sphere Trading Pty Ltd has been accepted by the Rand Refinery as an authorised and [...]
EDITORIAL - ADV TS EMSILE SC WHAT ABOUT CGT ON THE SALE OF SILVER COINS? Indeed, what about capital gains tax (‘CGT’) on the sale of silver coins (which – one hears said these days – being undervalued, have even more upside potential than gold coins). The first point to note is that the definition [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). While we will continue to specialise in making available international silver bullion products to the South African silver investor, we have come to an important realisation concerning the [...]
While I risking writing an article that may come across as self-promoting, I have none-the-less decided to pen some thoughts on why I think that serious silver investors should purchase their silver from reputable and registered dealers, rather than purchasing them privately from the various platforms available online. Often, saving a few Rands is simply [...]
Krugerrands are VAT free. Silver bullion is not. Does this make silver an inferior purchase in South Africa? Mark Twain once wrote that the only difference between the tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. While the statement is meant to be humorous, the statement rings true for silver investors [...]
One of the most frequently raised points of concern for new silver investors is the question, where do I sell my silver. I have answer this question in an earlier blog here: https://www.silver-sphere.co.za/can-sell-silver-time-off-load/. However, there is a different implied dimension to this question that is often probed, namely, should I sell all my silver when [...]
We would like to take this opportunity to announce a fresh chapter in the life of Silver-sphere Trading. In an attempt to establish further our brand, service, and credibility within the South African physical silver bullion market, we have decided to set up an office in a safe and secure premise in Johannesburg. As of [...]
(Chapter 1, 2, and 3 synopses and thought can be found here) If you like statistics and numbers, then the previous chapter would certainly flick your switch, as it provided invaluable data on the silver supply dynamics (i.e. where silver comes from and how much of it is available). This chapter, chapter 4, presents the [...]
The Silver Manifesto – Thoughts for the South African Investor Part 3 (Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 synopses and thought can be found here) Chapter 3 is a closer look at the silver supply dynamics and provides readers with some very interesting facts, figures, and much needed context. After all, having a basic understanding of [...]
The Silver Manifesto – Thoughts for the South African Investor Part 2 (chapter 1 synopsis and thought can be found here) commences with the following extracts from the US Constitution, which merits quotation in full: ‘Section 10: No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin money; [...]
The silver bullion market is more established and matured in the United States than it is in South Africa. One of the ways in which this state of affairs is apparent is availability of relevant contextual information on silver. For example, I can number dozens US and Canadian economists who’ve specialised in precious metals analysis [...]
One of the most frequently raised concerns by silver investors (including many of my clients) relates to storage. Where do I store or hide my physical silver not only to keep it safe from thieves and robbers (should they gain access to my property), but to ensure access in case of an economic crisis or [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). Where can I sell my silver when it’s time to off-load? This question is perhaps the most important question that a silver investor should ask. After all, one [...]
…”the view from the top is incredible!” Photo credit:eriktorner via photopin cc I decisively dislike sensationalism and exaggeration. For this reason, I am naturally skeptical when I hear experts say that silver is probably the most undervalued asset class on earth. Is there truth in this claim, or is this merely an exaggeration? After much reading and research, it seems [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). The great thing about social media is that it has given us that many more ways to interact with our customers. We appreciate the feedback and comments that [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). The Investopedia defines diversification as a risk management technique that mixes a wide variety of investments within a portfolio. The rationale behind this technique contends that a portfolio of different [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). If scratches on your bullion coins do not bother you, you are in the minority. For most, a small little surface abrasion can be rather off-putting. Niki Taylor [...]
If you want to chat with us about the blog bellow, please do not hesitate to email (sales@silver-sphere.co.za) or call us at your convenience (083 561 2375). The most crucial question a silver investor can ask is this: how do I know the silver which I have purchased is genuine and not fake? Although some [...]
The four major South African banks will pay you around 5% interest per year on a typical 32-day fixed deposit. So, a deposit of R100.00 will grow to a whopping R128.00 after five years. It is an interesting exercise to put this into the context of the silver-versus-Rand debate. The spot price of 1 troy ounce of silver in January 2005 in South Africa was about R44.00 (incl. VAT). In 2011, when silver peaked, it was about R365.00 (incl. VAT).
Steve St. Angelo has pointed out that peak oil is relevant for the future prices of silver. Oil production is falling, while costs and consumption are increasing. Mining one ounce of silver requires a certain amount energy (i.e. oil). However, the cost of extracting and refining one unit of energy in the form of oil to retrieve that ounce of silver from the ground is likewise snowballing. In the long-term, a higher silver price is a mathematical certainty. Remarkably, it was higher oil prices that pushed silver to peak in price in 1980 and 2011.
