Investing in Silver: Choosing an investment option Ranked in ascending order of risk, least risky to most risky   Investment Advantages Disadvantages Silver bullion bars Low expense, easy to liquidate, prices readily available. Risk of theft, secure storage needed, no interest earned. Privately minted silver rounds Low expense, easy to liquidate, prices readily available. Risk of theft, secure storage needed, no interest earned, moderate liquidity, no interest earned. Silver bullion coins Highest liquidity, prices readily available. Risk of theft, secure storage needed, no interest earned. Silver accumulation plans Very low minimum investment, easy to liquidate, no storage cost or risk, dollar cost averaging. Owner does not possess physical metal, no interest earned. Storage accounts No storage cost or risk, invest by dollar amount. Owner does not possess physical metal, no interest earned. Silver mutual funds Investment programs available, diversification, no storage cost or risk. Higher investment may be required, requires advanced knowledge, no interest earned. Silver mining stocks Capital appreciation, may produce income, no storage cost, no storage risk. Higher investment may be required, requires advanced knowledge, very risky, no interest earned. Silver futures High capital gain potential, easy to liquidate, prices readily available, no storage cost, no storage risk. Higher investment is required, requires advanced knowledge, very risky, highly regulated, unlimited loss potential. Silver options High capital gain potential, no storage cost, no storage risk. Higher investment is required, requires advanced knowledge, most risky, highly regulated, low liquidity, potential loss of entire investment.