Silver price Nov 13, 2025

Historical silver performance 

Silver isn't an investment expected to yield dramatic gains. Over extended periods, it performs considerably worse than the stock market. From 1921 to the present, silver's appreciation has fallen short of the S&P 500's by approximately 96%, indicating that an equal investment in both would result in the silver holding being worth about 96% less now. 

Silver’s appeal lies in stability and hedging against inflation. Known as a “store of value,” it often preserves purchasing power when inflation bites, effectively petrifying the value of your money until you want to access it again. 

Silver's price fluctuations are more significant than gold's due to its use in various industries like electronics, medical devices, and more, while gold primarily serves as a secure investment.

What does “spot silver” mean? 

The “spot silver” price indicates the current rate at which silver could, in principle, be traded instantly. But we should note that buyers in the real world typically face premiums above spot to cover markups, shipping costs, and insurance. 

Spot pricing offers investors a real-time barometer of market demand. That is to say, a higher spot price suggests stronger buying pressure.

What does “price spread” signify in the context of silver trading? 

“Price spread” denotes the difference between ask and bid prices: 

• Ask price. This means the cost to purchase silver 
• Bid price. This means the proceeds from selling silver 

A tight bid-ask spread points to high liquidity, while a wide gap can indicate lower trading activity. 

How to invest in silver 

Silver holdings can be physical or fund-based (ETFs). 

ETFs allow you to gain exposure without handling storage or logistics, as the fund can still retain actual silver. 

Popular silver investments include: 

• Bullion. This is in the form of bars or rounds sold by weight and purity. 
• Coins. Coins produced by governments, like American Silver Eagles and Silver Maple Leafs, which typically come with a higher price tag, are favored not only for their visual appeal but also because government endorsement might offer purchasers a degree of assurance regarding the item's genuineness.  
• Jewelry. Think artisanal pieces that command prices above equivalent-purity bullion. 
• Mining stocks. This refers to shares in companies extracting silver, offering an indirect route for investing in silver. 

On trading venues, precious metals and coins need to be a minimum of 99.9% pure. Items not meeting this standard are generally classified as industrial or collectible silver. The best silver IRA companies can assist in developing an investment approach for valuable metals such as silver.

Should investors consider silver right now? 

Silver’s price has climbed almost 25% in 2025, reaching decade-high levels. 

Your decision to purchase now depends on your investment approach. Gold and silver can act as a safeguard against inflation, and increasing applications in industries like solar power and electronics might fuel additional appreciation. Nevertheless, those seeking more substantial returns might find it lacking. 

Today's current precious metals pricing as of 8:15 a.m. ET 

Gold is the stalwart safe haven; platinum and palladium share similar volatility to silver due to smaller markets.

The takeaway 

When the economy is unpredictable, adding precious metals to your investments could be a wise choice. Silver has outperformed gold in 2025, and certain experts anticipate a sustained upward trend that might drive prices to record levels. 

Silver's affordability allows more everyday investors to participate. You can prepare to profit from a future rise in silver prices by investing in physical assets, ETFs, or mining stocks. 

Frequently asked questions