Silver coins are possibly the oldest mass form of coinage. Silver has been used as a coinage metal since the times of the Greeks. Their silver drachmas were popular trade coins. Many factors determine the value of a silver coin, such as its rarity, age, condition and the number originally minted. Silver coins coveted by collectors include the Denarius and Miliarense. Other than collector's silver coins, silver bullion coins are popular among people who desire a "hedge" against currency inflation or store of value. Silver has an international currency symbol of XAG under ISO 4217.
Major silver bullion coins include (major in terms of the number in circulation):
- American Silver Eagle (from 1986)
- Canadian Silver Maple Leaf (from 1988)
- Australian Silver Kookaburra (minted by the Perth Mint from 1990)
- Australian Silver Kangaroo (minted by the Royal Australian Mint from 1993)
- British Silver Britannia (from 1997, proof version only. Public issue from 1998)
- Chinese Silver Panda (from 1983)
- Mexican Silver Libertad (from 1982)
Minor silver bullion coins, or commemorative coins, include:
- New Zealand Silver Kiwi (from 2004)
- Isle of Man Silver Cats (from 1988)
- Zambia Silver Elephant (from 1999 - 2003)
- Gibraltar Silver Dogs (from 1991 - 1997)
- Russian Sable
Silver rounds
Privately minted silver coins are known as silver "rounds" and silver "bars", which usually have a set weight of 1 troy ounce of silver (31.105 grams of 99.9% silver). These carry all sorts of designs, from assayer/mine backed bullion to engravable gifts, automobiles, firearms, adult-oriented, armed forces commemorative, holidays, etc.
See also
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