wow, you have a lot to learn
buy physical silver/gold from bullion dealers...or coin dealers. many times one type of dealer is also the other type as well.
Bullion minted into round coins is called “rounds” These are minted by mining companies and by governments.
Just go to wikipedia and search “silver rounds” then read
then learn what “junk silver” (aka coin silver) is
learn the difference between an ounce and a troy ounce
lean what numismatic value means
learn what spot price is
various well known mints and well respected are as follows:
northwest territorial mint
sunshine silver mint
pan american silver corp
canadian maple leaf
american silver eagle
englehard
Johnson Matthey(JM)
and others
To spend silver as money in the event of a total collapse, you will need silver coins, not bars. No one will have change for gold coins or silver bars. Many people think the ultimate currency in a total breakdown of the economy will be old silver dimes. one silver dime is estimated to be roughly equal in value to a days rations of something simple (beans and hashbrowns perhaps) for one person. One silver dollar should be approx equal to a days wages for a person earning minimum wage...provided they can find work and someone that can pay them.
search the internet for the various producers of silver rounds, learn what they look like, learn their names. get a feel for relative desireability of each brand, then go to a bullion dealer and shop for them. If you wanna start small, buy old silver american coins instead of silver rounds. Silver quarters, dimes and such are sold in “face value”...that is, if you buy a dollar face value in silver dimes you are buying ten silver dimes.
Learn how to calculate the silver value of a silver dime, quarter, half dollar, and silver dollar.
I sure do. I've been in stocks, bonds, and MFs for twenty years, but don't know the first thing about physical precious metals. And you've been a great help. Thanks!