The 1 Oz Silver Coin: A Brilliant & Affordable Investment

A 1 oz silver coin is an increasingly popular coin among investors and collectors. These coins contain 1 troy ounce (31.1035 grams) of pure silver but have unique sizes, designs, and face values.

Some of the oldest currency, dated 600-500 BC, are silver coins. Rising silver value has led to 1 oz silver coins gaining popularity among collectors and investors.

As seasoned coin industry experts, we here at Coins Auctioned are excited to share the monetary, historical, and cultural value of silver coins worldwide.

Today, we’ll break down the types of 1 oz silver coins and their values, plus tips for buying and selling silver coins.

Pictured above: Reverse of 2013 1 oz silver coin in Canadian Wildlife Series featuring pronghorn antelope

Coin Specifications

Each 1 oz silver coin has important characteristics:

Denominations: We use “denomination” for face value in currency amounts. 1 oz silver coin denominations vary broadly, from €1.50 euros to $5 CAD.

Purity: The amount of pure silver in a coin is its “purity” or “fineness.” The highest is “fine silver” coins, which have 99.9% to 99.99% pure silver (999 or 9999 fineness). Purity is sometimes expressed in "nines," such as "3 nines" for 99.9% pure, "3 nines 5" for 99.95% pure, or "5 nines" for 99.999% pure. 

Other common silver purity terms:

• Sterling Silver: 92.5% pure silver; 925 fineness

• Britannia Silver: 95.8% pure silver; 958 fineness

Silver Weight: A 1 oz silver coin contains 1 troy ounce (1.097 standard ounces) of pure silver. When we say “oz” in this article, we mean troy ounce.

All 1 oz silver coins contain 1 troy ounce of pure silver, but their total weight varies.

Types of 1 Oz Silver Coins

Each 1 oz silver coin falls under one or more of these categories:

• Circulated: Used in day-to-day transactions; Silver is more common in historical than modern circulated coins

• Uncirculated: Made for collectors, not day-to-day transactions but often still legal tender; Term used by graders for better condition

• Proof: Minted in limited quantities (lower mintage); Among most valuable collectible coins; Made with special dies (stamps), multiple strikes for better detail, and special finishes or background (like “frosted” mirror-like appearance)

• Bullion: Uncirculated investment coins similar to proofs but with more standard finishes, less intricate designs, higher mintages, and lower prices; Often 999 silver

Another important distinction: silver coins vs silver rounds.

Silver rounds are similar to silver coins, but:

1. Aren’t as valuable

2. Lack currency denominations (or dates, usually)

3. Lack legal tender status

4. Are made at private (not government) mints — government-minted “rounds” are technically medals or medallions

5. Can’t have the same exact size and weight of silver coins

6. Have a purity not guaranteed by the government (but should be accurate from reputable private mints)

7. Are more often commemorative

Here are the top 1 oz silver coins:

American Silver Eagle

Pictured above: Obverse and reverse of 2019 1 oz American Silver Eagle bullion coin | Image credit: Windrain, CC-BY-SA-4.0

The US Mint’s official silver bullion coin, the American Silver Eagle is a 1 oz silver dollar minted since 1986 alongside the country's official gold bullion coin, the American Golden Eagle. The 1 oz silver American Eagle coin is the only type struck, and it’s remained a favorite silver American coin among investors and collectors.

• Purity: 999 (99.9% pure)

• Face Value: $1 USD

• Obverse: Inspired by 1916-1947 Walking Liberty Half Dollar design, with striding, full-length Lady Liberty with extended right hand as left hand holds oak branches & laurel; Inscriptions “LIBERTY” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and mintage year

• Reverse: Type I (1986-2021) had heraldic eagle holding olive branch and arrows behind shield with 13 stars; Type II (2021 on) has eagle holding oak branch while landing on a branch; Both have inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” “1 OZ” “FINE SILVER~ONE DOLLAR” & “E PLURIBUS UNUM”

Besides the reverse design change, other changes introduced in 2021 include reeded edge varieties and greater security features.

Canadian Silver Maple Leaf

Pictured above: Reverse of 2013 1 oz silver Canadian Maple Leaf coin

The Silver Maple Leaf (SML) coin is a bullion coin offered by the Royal Canadian Mint since 1988. These 1 oz coins have especially high silver content at 99.99% purity and the highest face value of any 1 oz silver coin.

There have been several special edition commemorative varieties, like the 1998 10 oz reverse proof variety and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics variety.

Among the rarest varieties is the commemorative Liberation of the Netherlands triple privy Silver Maple Leaf struck for the Royal Dutch Mint in 2005. Another valuable type: the 1999-2000 double-dated Silver Maple Leaf error coins.

• Purity: 9999 (99.99% pure)

• Face Value: $5 CAD

• Obverse: Effigies of Queen Elizabeth II, replaced by effigy of King Charles III in 2023; Inscriptions of mintage year, “ELIZABETH II” (or “CHARLES III”) and “50 DOLLARS”

• Reverse: Canadian maple leaf; Inscriptions of fineness (as “9999” on either side of leaf) “CANADA” and “FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR”

• Other Weights: 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1.5 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kg (32.15 oz)

Since 2015, new Silver Maple Leaf coins are extra-protected with radial lines, security marks, and BULLION DNA™ anti-counterfeiting technology.

British Silver Britannia

Pictured above: Reverse of 2016 1 oz Silver Britannia coin

The 1 oz Silver Britannias are British bullion, uncirculated, or proof coins introduced by the Royal Mint in 1997. One of the most valuable types are the 2014 “Mule Britannia” error coins struck with a Lunar Year of the Horse obverse die.

• Purity: 958 (95.8% pure) until 2012; 999 (99.9% pure) since 2013

• Face Value: £2 GBP

• Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II effigy, replaced by King Charles III effigy in 2023

• Reverse: Different designs of Britannia (female warrior personification of Britain) with inscriptions of “1 OZ” plus fineness (e.g. ‘999’ FINE SILVER), mintage year & “BRITANNIA”

• Other Weights: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz 

The reverse design used to change every two years; since 2013, bullion varieties remain the same and proof varieties change annually.

Austrian Silver Philharmonic

Pictured above: 2011 1 oz silver Philharmonic coins | Image credit: Dako99, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Among the top-selling bullion coins worldwide, the Austrian Vienna Philharmonic, or simply Philharmonic, is a 1 oz silver coin introduced by the Austrian Mint in 2008 — 20 years after the first 1 oz gold version was introduced.

• Purity: 999 (99.9% pure)

• Face Value: €1.50 euros

• Obverse: Musikverein pipe organ present in Vienna Musikverein Golden Hall; Inscription “REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH” (German for “Republic of Austria”)

• Reverse: Vienna horn, harp, violins, cello, and bassoon; Inscriptions “WIENER PHILHARMONIKER” (meaning “Vienna Philharmonic”) & “SILBER” (meaning “Silver”)

The Philharmonic coin is the only silver coin with a euros denomination. It comes individually or in a “monster box” containing 25 tubes with 20 coins in each.

Mexican Silver Libertad

Pictured above: Reverse of three 1 oz silver Mexican Libertad coins from 2021 in protective acrylic capsules | Image credit: Andres94545, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Silver 1 oz Libertad coins are Mexican coins minted since 1982 by the oldest mint in the Americas, La Casa de Moneda de México.

• Purity: 999 (99.9% pure)

• Face Value: None, but legal tender

• Obverse: Current Mexico coat of arms encircled by 10 past versions of the coat of arms; Circular inscription “ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS” (Spanish for “United Mexican States”)

• Reverse: Angel of Independence (statue in Mexico City) in front of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes; Inscriptions “1 ONZA PLATA PURA” (meaning “1 oz pure silver”), mintage year & “LEY 999” (purity); 1982-1995 have front-facing angel figure, 1995 on has three-quarter side profile

• Other Weights: 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, 1 kg (32.15 oz)

These 1 oz silver coins come in bullion, proof, reverse proof, and antique finish varieties. The 1 oz Silver Libertads minted from 1982 to 1995 are smaller in diameter but thicker than modern versions.

Somali Silver Elephant

Pictured above: Reverse of 2012 1 oz Somali Silver Elephant coin

The 1 oz Somali Silver Elephant is an increasingly popular 1 oz silver coin. It’s part of the African Wildlife Coin series.

Established in 1999 as the Zambia Elephant, it was rebranded as Somalia Silver Elephants in 2004. They’re legal tender in Somalia but minted at the Bavarian State Mint.

• Purity: 9999 (99.99% pure)

• Face Value: 100 SOS (Somali Shillings)

• Obverse: Somalia coat of arms encircled by serrations; Inscriptions “SOMALI REPUBLIC” “100 SHILLINGS” & mintage year

• Reverse: Different designs of elephants in savannah; Inscriptions “AFRICAN WILDLIFE” “ELEPHANT” & “1 oz Ag 999.9”

• Other Weights: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, 1 kg (32.15 oz)

The obverse remains the same, but the reverse design changes annually.

Silver Krugerrand

Pictured above: Obverse of 2022 1 oz Silver Krugerrand | Image credit: Bruxton, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Another African 1 oz silver coin, the Silver Krugerrand was introduced by the South African Mint in 2017 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the renowned 1 oz Gold Krugerrand. Unlike gold Krugerrands, silver Krugerrands have a face value.

• Purity: 999 (99.9% pure)

• Face Value: R1 (1 Rand)

• Obverse: Profile of former South African Republic President Paul Krugger encircled by 200 serrations; Inscription "SUID‑AFRIKA · SOUTH AFRICA"

• Reverse: Springbok antelope pronking; Inscriptions “KRUGERRAND” “FYNSILWER 1 OZ FINE SILVER R1” & mintage year; “50” privy seal mark on 2017 coins

• Other Weights: 2 oz

These commemorative South African coins are offered in bullion, premium/brilliant uncirculated (BU), and proof versions.

Chinese Silver Panda

Pictured above: Reverse of 2018 Chinese Silver Panda containing nearly 1 oz (30g) of silver

Chinese Silver Pandas are silver bullion coins first minted as 900-fineness, 0.868 oz proofs from 1983 to 1985. The first 1 oz versions, made with 999 fineness silver, came in 1987.

• Purity: 999 (99.9% pure)

• Face Value: ¥10 Yuan

• Obverse: Temple of Heaven; Inscriptions "中华人民共和国" (Chinese for “People’s Republic of China”) & mintage year

• Reverse: One or more giant pandas; Inscriptions of fineness (as “30g Ag .999” or “.999 Ag 1 oz”) on all but 2015 & “10 元” (face value)

• Other Weights: 0.25 oz, 0.5 oz, 30g, 150g, 5 oz, 12 oz, 1 kg | 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 30 g (~0.965 oz), 150 g (~4.82 oz), 5 oz, 12 oz, 1 kg (32.15 oz)

The traditional variety is Brilliant Uncirculated (BU), but they’re also offered in bulk uncirculated, proof, gilded, colored, and commemorative varieties.

Among the rarest Chinese Silver Pandas are the 1983 proof varieties, one of which was valued over $16,000!

Each year’s Chinese Silver Panda has had a different reverse panda design except for 2002. They’ve also had diagonal redding since 2001.

In 2015, the coin purity weights shifted from troy ounces to grams, with options from 1g to 30g.

Australian Silver Kangaroo

Pictured above: Obverse of three 1oz Silver Kangaroo coins from 2022 

The 1 oz Australian Silver Kangaroo was introduced by Perth Mint in 1993 as a proof coin in the popular Kangaroo Coin Series.

In 2015, the varieties expanded with a brilliant uncirculated option with higher purity. Perth Mint also introduced new coin security features — radial lines & micro-engraving — with this release.

• Purity: 999 (99.9% pure) until 2014, 9999 (99.99% pure) since 2015

• Face Value: $1 AUD

• Obverse: Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II; Inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” (with “1952-2022” in 2023) “AUSTRALIA” & “1 DOLLAR” (after 2015)

• Reverse: Different designs of kangaroos; Inscriptions “AUSTRALIAN KANGAROO” (since 2015) “1 OUNCE FINE SILVER” (or “1 oz 9999 SILVER” since 2015) & “ONE DOLLAR” (before 2015)

• Other Weights: 2 oz

These 1 oz silver coins are available in proof, frosted uncirculated, and sometimes selective gilded versions, like the Red Kangaroo variety.

The Silver Kangaroo joins other popular Australian coin series with new obverse designs annually like the Silver Koala and Silver Kookaburra.

Despite the varied face values, all of these coins’ real value is much higher.

So, how much is a 1 oz silver coin worth? It depends.

Pictured above: Reverse of 2023 1 oz silver coin from Perth Mint in Australian Kookaburra series

Collectibility and Numismatic Value

All 1 oz silver coins contain the same pure silver content, but a 1 oz silver coin’s value varies by:

• Current Silver Spot Price: The market value (“spot price” or “melt value”) of silver fluctuates a lot. You can see how much 1 oz of silver is worth today here.

• Rarity: 1 oz silver coins with lower mintages or that aren’t minted anymore will carry much higher value, along with 1 oz silver error coins.

• Historical Significance: Collectors will pay higher prices for coins with greater historical significance, like if they’re the first of their kind or represent an important societal shift.

• Condition: From circulated to proof, coins that are made and preserved to be higher quality carry higher value.

• Current Demand: Simple economics — higher demand, higher prices. Expect higher premiums on consistently sought-after 1 oz silver coins (e.g. Eagle, Maple Leaf, Philharmonic). An expert coin grader will help determine your silver coin’s current value based on demand.

Expect to pay a 12 to 20 percent premium above the spot price for 1 oz silver coins.

Prices of 1 Oz Silver Coins

The minimum 1 oz silver price is the current spot price.

Here are the current average prices (in USD) for the 1 oz silver coins we’ve discussed:

• Silver Eagle: $28 to $80 (some up to $13,000)

• Silver Maple Leaf: $28 to $45

• Silver Britannia: $29 to $45 (most expensive sold for $19,000 or £15,277)

• Silver Philharmonic: $29 to $200

• Silver Libertad: $38 to $130

• Silver Elephant: $32 to $200

• Silver Krugerrand: $30 to $130

• Silver Panda: $35 to $180 (up to $3,000)

• Silver Kangaroo: $28 to $215 (up to $700)

Ready to start buying or selling 1 oz silver coins?

Pictured above: Set of five 1 oz silver colored coins from Perth Mint in the Australian 50th Anniversary of The Australian Ballet commemorative series from 2012; Features images from the ballets Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Cinderella

Purchasing and Selling Silver Coins

The best 1 oz silver coins to buy or sell depend on your situation and goals.

Just starting out or on a tight budget? The cheapest 1 oz silver coins include a newer Silver Maple Leaf, newer Silver Somali Elephant, or silver rounds.

How much can I sell a 1 oz silver coin for? Potentially, thousands of dollars, but it depends on the coin and its condition. The most valuable 1 oz silver coins include:

• Older Silver Krugerrands

• 1990, 1994, and 1999 Silver Eagles (up to $13,000)

• MS-70 graded Silver Elephants

• Pre-2015 Silver Kangaroos

• Red Kangaroo design Silver Kangaroos

Many investors recommend buying silver bullion coins at 999 fineness minimum.

Tips for Buying & Selling Silver Coins

Our top advice for buying or selling 1 oz silver coins:

1. Choose an expert dealer who is reputable & experienced. You can buy or sell silver coins at local coin stores, online sellers, or pawn shops. Check reviews, certifications, and accreditations beforehand.

2. Opt for certified silver. Assess your silver value before selling by getting it professionally graded, particularly older silver coins. It’s best to buy/sell silver coins with a professional grade and certificate of authenticity.

3. Track silver spot prices. These change every day, so check day-of. Retail mark-ups vary by country and coin.

4. Plan your transaction ahead of time. Learning what you want and preparing for your investment will pay off… literally.

5. Prepare insurance. Physical silver can be stolen, so budget and prepare to protect it. You can look for a specific silver bullion insurance policy and an authorized vault or depository for storage — remember, silver coin collections are heavier and larger than gold coin collections of similar value.

You’ll often find the best deals on auction sites with verified sellers like we have here at Coins Auctioned.

Add Some Sparkle & Diversity to Your Collection with 1 Oz Silver Coins!

Silver coins are a great investment, especially as a more affordable and accessible alternative to gold coins. Not only will 1 oz silver coins help you save for the future, but they’ll each be a meaningful, stunning piece of history.

Looking to buy 1 oz silver coins from home? Look no further! We have tons of 1 oz silver coins for sale from verified sellers with competitive pricing.

Find your favorite 1 oz silver coins today!