Apr 2025
Apr 2025
What is Silver Stacking?
By StoneX Bullion
Silver stacking is the practice of gradually collecting physical silver bullion – usually in the form of coins, bars, and rounds – as a way to preserve wealth and diversify beyond traditional financial assets.
The term ‘silver stacking’ comes from the way investors and collectors literally stack their silver coins or bars. It’s a physical approach to investing that has become popular in recent years, especially amongst investors looking for alternatives to stocks, bonds, or digital assets.
In this blog article, we’ll explore what silver stacking involves, types of silver to invest in, and tips for getting started with silver stacking.
What does it mean to be a silver stacker?
Being a silver stacker means you’re regularly buying and holding physical silver as a long-term strategy to build and preserve wealth. For many silver stackers, the purpose is not just to gain investment returns but to own something tangible with real, enduring value.
Silver stackers choose to invest in silver because of its affordability, historical significance, and usefulness as a hedge against inflation or economic uncertainty. The type of silver varies: some people prefer bullion bars while others are attracted to the craftsmanship and collectible nature of silver bullion coins. Regardless of the type of silver used, many silver stackers simply find satisfaction in the physical aspect of stacking – organising their collection, watching it grow over time, and knowing exactly where their wealth is stored.
You don’t even have to consciously decide to be a silver stacker. The term can essentially refer to anyone who consistently buys and holds physical silver. Silver stackers have formed a large, supportive online community where they share tips and advice on silver investing and collecting.
Why use silver stacking as an investment approach?
So why silver? Here are some reasons why investors use silver stacking as an investment strategy:
More affordable than gold
Silver is significantly cheaper than gold, making it an accessible entry point for new investors or those with a limited budget. It allows people to participate in the precious metals market and accumulate wealth without the higher upfront costs of buying physical gold or platinum.
Tangible asset
Unlike stocks, cryptocurrencies, or other digital assets, silver is something you can physically hold in your hand. This tangibility brings peace of mind to many stackers because they know exactly where their wealth is and can access it directly.
Potential for long-term growth
Silver has a track record of increasing in value over time, giving investors the potential for capital gains. Its price often appreciates in response to market conditions, economic policy, and industrial demand. Learn more about what drives silver prices here.
Diversify investment portfolios
Silver (and other precious metals) has a different risk profile compared to traditional stocks and bonds. This makes it an effective diversifier, helping balance a portfolio and reduce exposure to stock market swings.
Industrial demand
Silver plays an important role in industries like electronics, solar power, and medicine. This industrial demand gives silver a unique edge in the precious metals market and adds an extra layer of stability to silver stacking.
Read More: Why You Should Consider Silver Investment
Types of silver for silver stacking
There’s no one type of silver that can be used for silver stacking, you have a range of options to choose from depending on your investment goals and personal interests. Some people value silver pieces with historical or aesthetic value while others prefer to invest in practical pieces with low premiums.
Below are some of the most common types of silver used for stacking:
SILVER TYPE | DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLES | PROS | CONS |
Silver bullion coins are issued by sovereign mints and guaranteed for weight and purity. They’re widely recognised and often highly liquid, making them easy to buy and sell all over the world. Many stackers appreciate silver coins for their historical or aesthetic value, although they usually come with a higher premium over the spot price. | Government-backed Easy to trade Collectible appeal Some are capital gains tax exempt | Higher premiums | ||
Silver bars have lower premiums compared to coins, making them one of the most cost-effective ways to buy silver in bulk. They’re available in various sizes and have a uniform shape that makes them easy to store. | Lower premiums Ideal for bulk purchases Easy to store | Less collectible value Larger bars require secure storage | ||
Silver Rounds | Rounds look like coins but they’re not considered legal tender. They’re more affordable than coins and are often produced with creative or commemorative designs. | Sunshine Rounds American Buffalo Rounds | Lower cost per ounce Various designs | Not government-issued Limited recognition compared to bullion coins |
Junk Silver | ‘Junk silver’ refers to old coins that have no numismatic (collectible) value but still contain a significant amount of silver. These are often 90% silver by weight and valued primarily for their melt content. | Pre-1965 U.S. quarters and half dollars | Historical appeal Lower cost Easy to trade in small amounts | Not as pure as silver bullion |
Sterling silver is made from 92.5% pure silver and is usually found in decorative or practical silver products (e.g. cutlery or candlesticks). It’s not a common form of investment-grade silver, but it can still hold value. | Silverware Jewellery Household Items | Potential vintage value Unique and visually appealing | Lower silver content Resale value tied to craftsmanship |
See More: Should You Invest in Silver Bars or Coins?
Tips for silver stacking
If you’d like to get started with silver stacking, here are some of our best pieces of advice:
Keep it private
The first rule of silver stacking is to keep your new-found interest to yourself. Avoid discussing your collection in public or sharing details about where your silver is stored. Keep your stack hidden and private to reduce the risk of theft or unwanted attention.
Buy from reputable dealers
Truthfully, this should also be the first rule of silver stacking. Your silver collection is there to help you store and grow your wealth over time, and you need to make sure you’re buying pure, authentic pieces.
Always buy your silver from a trusted, well-reviewed bullion dealer that offers clear product descriptions, transparent pricing, and authenticity guarantees. The last thing you want is to end up with counterfeits or overpaying for your investments.
See: How to Tell The Difference Between Real and Fake Silver
Start small
If you’re new to stacking, start small with affordable silver coins or bars in smaller weights. As excited as you may be to get stacking, going slow means you can learn the ropes without making any high-cost mistakes early on. You can then scale up your purchases as your knowledge and confidence grows.
Monitor silver prices
Silver prices fluctuate daily, and their movements can sometimes be volatile. Keep an eye on silver’s strike price, market trends, and other factors that might influence the price of silver, including interest rates, inflation, geopolitical events, and industrial demand. Staying up to date on the silver market can help you identify opportunities to buy or sell at a good price.
Keep detailed records
It’s a good idea to keep track of every purchase with receipts, certificates, and any notes on weight, purity, and origin. This helps you monitor your portfolio, evaluate the value of your stack, and prove ownership if needed for insurance or resale purposes.
Set clear goals
It always helps to outline your goals with silver stacking. Whether you want to aim for a target weight or a target value, clear goals will help guide your purchasing decisions and keep your strategy focused.
Diversify your stack
Many silver stackers like to invest in different types of silver – some bullion bars, some coins, some rounds. Each type of silver has its own unique advantages, so a diversified collection can improve the value and liquidity of your stack.
Look for deals
Some bullion dealers offer special discounts on bulk silver purchases. These can be a cost-effective way to add more silver to your stack. Just be wary of a deal that seems too good to be true and be sure it’s coming from an authorized, trusted dealer with a known reputation.
Secure your stack
It’s not the greatest idea to leave your silver lying around the house. Invest in a solid storage plan, which might be anything from a small home safe to a bank safe deposit box or insured vault storage.
Join the stacking community
Silver stacking is no small club – it’s got a global following with forums, YouTube channels, social media groups, and Reddit communities dedicated to sharing silver stacking tips, market updates, and personal stories. Find a community you like and take advantage of the learning and support that’s available from more experienced stackers.
How to sell silver
Even though silver stacking is often designed for the long-term, there might come a time when you decide to sell a part (or all) of your silver stack. Here are some tips for selling silver:
- Keep an eye on the market: As we discussed earlier, silver prices fluctuate daily depending on supply and demand, currency movements, and global events. Staying updated on the spot price of silver will help you find a good time to sell so you avoid underselling your assets.
- Choose a reputable dealer: Finding a trusted bullion dealer is just as important in the selling process as it is when buying. Reputable dealers will offer fair market rates and transparent pricing so you know exactly what to expect. Check online reviews and look for LBMA affiliate members or established names in the precious metals industry.
- Compare offers: Different dealers might offer different prices depending on the product, quantity, or demand. It’s always worth shopping around to make sure you get the best value for your silver, especially if you’re selling a premium coin or a large amount.
- Know the tax implications: Depending on where you live, selling silver can come with certain tax obligations. In the UK, some silver coins produced by the Royal Mint (like the Silver Britannia) are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT), but you might have to pay tax for other types of silver. If you’re not sure, it’s always best to consult with a tax professional.
Start your silver stacking journey today
Ready to start stacking that silver and watching your investment grow? You’re in the right place. At StoneX Bullion, we offer a wide range of investment-grade silver bullion coins and bars from the most well-known mints in the world, including the Royal Mint, US Mint, Perth Mint, and the Royal Canadian Mint.
We're a trusted dealer and an affiliate member of the LBMA, which oversees industry standards and good trading practices in the market. Because we buy straight from the producers, we avoid intermediaries and can offer you competitive prices so you can make the most of your money.
Browse our range of high-purity silver bullion bars and silver coins and start building your collection today.