Are you wondering why you should buy silver bars? Adding silver to your list of investments is a smart move, as it tends to hold its value and works as a hedge for your assets. Silver is also less expensive than its big brother gold, but that just means a smaller upfront investment and more quantity for your money. So why choose bars over coins or other silver items? How does one start investing in bars?

Bars of silver are one of the most popular ways to invest in silver as they are easy to transport, store and buy due to their uniformity. Another reason to buy bars over coins is that you will usually be paying a very high premium for coins; that is a price above and beyond bullion value. Bars of silver, on the other hand, tend to have low premiums so they are easy to buy and easy to sell to others when the time is right. Bars are also more dependable in price, as there is less of a swing due to market demand as with coins.

Before you buy silver bars, there are a few things to know. Learn about the big names that produce silver bars, as these are more highly sought in the market. Companies such as Engelhard, Pan-American Silver, Handy & Harman and Wall Street Mint are some of the names to keep an eye out for.

Top quality bars should have a number of items engraved into the bar, such as the mint they came from, the weight and the purity. Before you buy silver bars, of course, you want to check the price of silver so you know what you should be paying. This figure is usually just a bit over the bullion price, as a precious metals dealer has to make a profit.

Choosing the size of your silver bars is usually a matter of personal preference. One hundred ounce bars are a common size, though you can get anything from a one ounce bar to a 68-pound 1,000 ounce bar. Smaller bars tend to have a higher premium, but can still be the best choice for smaller investments.

Before you buy silver bars you need to find a top notch precious metals dealer. You can look for a dealer in your area, or even find a good deal online. Just be sure you are dealing with a trusted and reliable source before making a purchase. Just like that you are on your way to making a smart investment in silver!