Silver Bullion: are "Good Delivery" brands a better buy?

[nunoelias]

Hello folks!  

I would like to pose a question:  when buying silver bullion, is it better to focus in brands that are in the "Good Delivery" list from LBMA?

Here is the list:  https://www.lbma.org.uk/good-delivery/silver-current-list#-
 

I can understand that the price for these bars is a bit higher due to the reputable mint/refinery behind the product. 

But what I mean is: in your opinion, are they easier to sell afterwards?  Is there more demand for them in the market?  Are they worth the higher premium compared to other generic bullion bars?  And what other factors could make these bars a better investment?

 

Thank you and have a great weekend!   
 

Edited October 28, 2022 by nunoelias

[Tn21]

Yh some brands command a higher premium such as PAMP but when your buying silver in 999 format then I would say go for price.

You can buy the cheapest 10oz bar or the most expensive 10oz bar when it comes to sell the buyer is always going to pay attention to the price so with that in mind make your decisions. 

 

I personally have gone for a mixture,  of the cheapest but I have also gone for the premium stuff too such as Scottsdale silver items. 

 

I would not put too much thought into the lbma factor. 

@sixgun your thoughts ?

Edited October 28, 2022 by Tn21

[Shinus73]

Good delivery bars tend to start at 1000 oz, so that list is pretty much irrelevant to the everyday bullion buyer.

[LawrenceChard]

52 minutes ago, nunoelias said:

Hello folks!  

I would like to pose a question:  when buying silver bullion, is it better to focus in brands that are in the "Good Delivery" list from LBMA?

Here is the list:  https://www.lbma.org.uk/good-delivery/silver-current-list#-
I can understand that the price for these bars is a bit higher due to the reputable mint/refinery behind the product. 

But what I mean is: in your opinion, are they easier to sell afterwards?  Is there more demand for them in the market?  Are they worth the higher premium compared to other generic bullion bars?  And what other factors could make these bars a better investment?

Thank you and have a great weekend!   
 

15 minutes ago, Shinus73 said:

Good delivery bars tend to start at 1000 oz, so that list is pretty much irrelevant to the everyday bullion buyer.

Although LBMA members will all produce bars which conform to their specifications, it is unlikely you will be buying "Good Delivery" bars, so it is barely relevant.

There are many refiners who might not be LBMA members, or on the Good Delivery List, who also produce high quality bars.

Some people collect rare or unusual bars, so these might command a premium over well-known but common bars such as PAMP.

Otherwise, just as long as the bars are genuine, the brand will make little or no difference.

😎

[Silverlocks]

12 hours ago, nunoelias said:

Hello folks!  

I would like to pose a question:  when buying silver bullion, is it better to focus in brands that are in the "Good Delivery" list from LBMA?

Here is the list:  https://www.lbma.org.uk/good-delivery/silver-current-list#-
 

I can understand that the price for these bars is a bit higher due to the reputable mint/refinery behind the product. 

But what I mean is: in your opinion, are they easier to sell afterwards?  Is there more demand for them in the market?  Are they worth the higher premium compared to other generic bullion bars?  And what other factors could make these bars a better investment?

 

Thank you and have a great weekend!   
 

'Good Delivery' means that a manufacturer is certified by the LBMA that their gold is legit - that is, it is what it says on the bar and meets various other regulatory requirements.  The assay is typically stamped on the bar and you can take that assay at face value.  Therefore, if you buy a 400oz bar from a good delivery certified vendor, you can trust you're getting what it says on the tin without having to assay it yourself.

It's not any indication of the quality of the gold.  You can have a .995 or .9999 fine bar and these can still be 'good delivery' (the minimum purity level is .995 fine).  It's effectively a certification that the assay stamped on the bar is reliable and the bar meets certain specifications for size, safe handling characteristics and various other properties.  There are also specifications for silver bars.

These are the specifications for a good delivery bar:

https://www.lbma.org.uk/publications/good-delivery-rules/technical-specifications

Edited October 29, 2022 by Silverlocks

[sixgun]

As Laurence quite rightly says, the average member of TSF is not buying 'Good Delivery' silver bars. You are talking about 1000 oz bars. The question is irrelevant to the situation the vast majority of silver stackers find themselves. It is like looking at the list of approved truck manufacturers when you want to buy a family saloon car - it doesn't really help.
You are buying in the retail market - so get to know the manufacturers in that area.
i have vintage bars where the makers don't exist anymore, some of them i don't fully know who the maker was. i see Geiger is not on the list of good delivery bar makers but is very highly respected in the silver bar world.

Edited October 29, 2022 by sixgun

[LawrenceChard]

1 hour ago, sixgun said:

As Laurence quite rightly says, the average member of TSF is not buying 'Good Delivery' silver bars. You are talking about 1000 oz bars. The question is irrelevant to the situation the vast majority of silver stackers find themselves. It is like looking at the list of approved truck manufacturers when you want to buy a family saloon car - it doesn't really help.
You are buying in the retail market - so get to know the manufacturers in that area.
i have vintage bars where the makers don't exist anymore, some of them i don't fully know who the maker was. i see Geiger is not on the list of good delivery bar makers but is very highly respected in the silver bar world.

Have you counted your Geigers?

😎

[Mik12]

Anything for sale ?

[nunoelias]

Shout out and a big "thank you" to all who contributed with their input and knowledge into this topic!  

I thought that perhaps even smaller bars (let's say, 1 kilos or 500g ) would have higher demand and acceptance just because of the brand being listed in the LBMA.

Glad I asked this question before going crazy into a PAMP bar  LOL  

Wish you all a great weekend!

[Silverlocks]

1 hour ago, Mik12 said:

Anything for sale ?

Not sure if serious but take a look at the United Kingdom (ungraded) board linked below.  To really make use you should take out a silver membership as listings are delayed 3 days for non-members and most stuff will sell in that time.

https://www.thesilverforum.com/forum/13-united-kingdom-ungraded/

[StackemHigh]

Like many have said just do some due diligence to make sure it's real and go for the best price per ounce.