Over the past two to three years, most people have viewed the stock market with much uncertainty. Hence, investors, as an alternative investment strategy, have taken the plunge into the silver market. It is a huge task to determine whether investing in silver is the same as investing in a mutual fund or if it is something really different. So, let’s know some of the basics of silver prices today before investing your hard-earned money in the precious metal.

With the current economy, silver is mostly poised to perform majestically well in the next few years. What prices the metal is currently trading at is all set to skyrocket. While silver prices today are around $18.50, numerous analysts observe and believe that silver will be at $50 or higher within the next year or two. If you have too much money tied up in numismatics, it could mean that you could miss out on the upcoming silver explosion.

So, here is a list of the top ten best silver coins for investment.

Silver Canadian Maple Leafs is issued by the government. It is more of a legal tender coin. The silver Maple Leaf still remains as one of the world’s most distinguished silver coins. In a most aesthetic manner, the Maple Leaf’s embellished looks magnificent and is a beautiful sight to behold. It is also addressed as the purest silver coins issued by the government (“9999 fine silver”). New Maple leaf coins are sold approximately for $1.80 and $2.50 over the spot market. Maple Leafs usually gain numismatic value more effectively and quickly.

Silver American Eagle which is the only precious silver metal coin in the world with an accurate weight, purity, and content guaranteed by the Federal government. This coin is rarely or privately minted rounds. The uncirculated Eagle coin is typically sold between $1.80 and $2.50 depending upon the spot price of silver. The used Silver American Eagles trade approximately for $1 above spot. The Eagle silver coin is instantly recognizable and probably that holds its value due to its uniqueness. The premium coin is issued by foreign governments with limited quantity and grants numismatic value that appreciate with age. In the year 1986, the Silver Eagle fetched about $7 above-spot premium and even in the year 2001, the same sold for $5 or $6 over spot.

The Morgan Silver Dollars are legal tender coins that were minted by the US government from 1878 to 1904. It measures about 0.86-ounces, and the coins are crafted of 90% silver and 10% copper with the silver weight being 0.77344 troy ounces. The silver content is somewhat like the original Spanish dollars on the basis of which the U.S. money was originally established. Morgan Silver Dollars have gigantic numismatic premiums, lower quality and now the normal coins of 0.999 silver purity are rarely of those mixed with other metals. However, Morgan Silver Dollar is highly reputed and a rare exception to hold.

The APMEX Fine Silver is considered to be the best silver in the coin form. Technically, privately minted coins are not thought of as ‘coins’ at all, not in legal tender issues at least, but they are referred to as ‘grounds’ for legal reasons. Whatever it may be called, silver is always silver, no matter who has issued it – whether it is the US government or a for-profit corporation like APMEX (which stands for ‘American Precious Metals Exchange’). It is about the ‘grounds’ and how widely they are recognized and accepted. APMEX rounds are visually not that impactful when compared with Silver American Eagle and Maple Leaves, but it is definitely easy to store and trade at a minimum expense. APMEX rounds are 0.999 exquisite silver sold for $0.79 over the spot at retailer or website.

The Austrian Silver Philharmonic is a rare coin whose beauty outdoes most other silver coins. It is the only silver coin that denominates in euros with the legal tender worth of €1.5. However, in the USA, Austrian Philharmonics sell for $2-3 over spot, and the new issues commanding a premium of at least $2.30. Austrian Philharmonic coin can be purchased from the APMEX, with the silver prices today starting at $2.30. For larger orders, there seem to be some discounts.

Junk Silver Dimes are made from the United States ten-cent pieces of 90% silver and 10% copper. Similar in looks to the Morgan Silver Dollar, the Junk Silver Dimes are smaller in size, weighing around 0.0715 troy ounces. It is called as the Junk Silver Dimes probably because they are older dimes and are now numismatic collectibles. Currently, it is trading at a steep price of about $2.79 above spot.

The Mexican Silver Libertads is one of the most beautiful silver-bullion coins that been issued not only in the U.S. and Canada but also in the neighboring countries. The pricy coin’s premium starts off from $2.