The other week I went over to my local currency exchange looking for 100 oz. silver bars. To my surprise, there weren't any! Also in short supply were 10 oz. silver bars and silver maple leafs. I was told that some were on order, and that it could be weeks before I'd be able to make a purchase. I received the same answer from a couple other institutions. This frightens me for two reasons:

1) If silver supply is really this low, then I really need to re-evaluate my situation. More *quality* mining companies and holding onto my current bullion seems wise, but...

2) If this silver run is really coming to an end, resulting in a more affordable product, will there even be any left to get my hands on before silver prices head skyward again?

Is this shortage of silver bullion common across Canada? What about the USA and other countries? Any information or comments about this would be very helpful!

I know I can still get silver on e-bay. Some bullion, also old coins. Its good to hear that silver at least for the time being is in short supply.
That is exactly what is being done to it, (being shorted). The COMEX really pushed it down over the last couple of weeks. They certain have to defend their USD interests, and cannot risk exposing their lack of physical metal relative to OTC holdings.
I do think the COMEXs stranglehold on silver is slipping.
I have been buying metals. Also buying silver producers both large and small. Investors are pushing back as thy should IMHO.
Eventually silver lovers will see their metal shine. Boot
This image is hidden for guests. Please login or register to see it.

I'm still able to get silver when I want it, especially silver eagle coins.

US "junk silver" is getting harder to find, though.

Ebay is still a good source, just remember 1) prices are higher than spot, especially if you have to pay for shipping; 2) don't leave feedback until you've verified your metal is real.

I was buying up small silver bars, like 10grams, 1/4 oz etc... and noticed that lately their is a very large premium on them now as they are becoming more popular/rare.

I was fond of the much smaller denomintations just in case I ever had to use them as currency

Thanks for the "head's up", ASR.

I have been a little complacent lately about the supply of silver - since I thought the HUGE premiums they charge these days would be enough to keep them in stock (lol).

I just checked with the largest bullion dealer in Vancouver, and found out that they just ran out too - for the first time in several months. This particular company gets weekly shipments, and is expecting more stock tomorrow. However, the agent I talked to indicated that sales had definitely picked up over the last two to three weeks.

It looks like we had better start keeping close track of the supply situation again. And those of us (like myself) who want to add to their silver holdings should probably do so SOONER rather than later.

I would appreciate it if members from other cities (and countries) could share any anecdotal information they come across on this subject.

Thanks!

I'm sure we are all familiar with Coinflation.com... but here's a linked story about what we were discussing:

www.numismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp...e&ArticleId=8160

Eerie.

Also on numismaster, they have a calendar tab which outlines various coin shows throughout the US. Last one I went to (recently) they had more silver than I could possibly carry, much less afford.

Dave, do you recall what the premiums were like on the coins at the show?

Certainly my experience in Canada is that the only reason the supply of coins has improved significantly from where it was 6 or 8 months ago was through dealers charging such high mark-ups that they FINALLY managed to drive away some buyers.

Jeff, I would say $2.50 to $3 on coins, and $2 to $2.50 on art bars and rounds. I prefer art bars, and onzas, and centavos-- If you have to resort to barter, who else knows better, and will recognize what is offered?. Onzas and centavos are the best value, IMO, sometimes only $1.50 above spot. As far as coins, silver is silver, and I like the art in art bars. Sometime they have a premium because of the art. The big bars (10 oz +) I just don't want them, even if stamped. Hope this info helps!

At ~US$16.50 spot, I was charged US$18 for a one-ounce coin a month or so ago. The particular dealer had a huge number of coins in a decades-long span of dates. He had an Internet connection and calculated sales prices as asked, none were posted of course.

I think there are still a lot of coins out there, but a US$1.50 markup on US$16.50 is 9% premium, US$2.00 is 12% and US$2.50 is 15% premium at US$16.50. Prices are now closer to US$17.50, so a US$2.50 premium would still be about 14%.

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe that sale price is often somewhat-to-slightly lower than spot, so buy/sell spreads in bullion coins could be approaching or even past 25%-30% from the customer's side of the counter? Is that right? (Not that I'm selling my metal anytime soon.)