On Tuesday, the present price of silver was December 9, 2025

Historical silver performance 

Silver doesn't offer a path to rapid riches. Over long durations, it substantially trails conventional stocks. From 1921 onward, silver's appreciation has fallen short of the S&P 500 by approximately 96%. To put it plainly, if you had divided an investment equally between silver and equities at that time, the silver portion would now be worth about 96% less than your stock holdings. 

Nonetheless, silver is regarded as a fairly steady investment appropriate for safeguarding spending power. Frequently referred to as a “store of value,”, it typically performs well during periods of inflation. It can serve as a stabilizing force for your investments when inflation escalates. 

Silver demonstrates greater price fluctuations when contrasted with gold. Gold primarily functions as a secure store of value, while silver also finds extensive application in various industries. This industrial consumption contributes to more significant price movements in silver.

What does “spot silver” mean? 

In essence, the “spot silver” price indicates the immediate cost to acquire or divest silver. However, in real-world transactions, you'll typically incur costs exceeding the spot rate to account for premiums, delivery, protection, and various other charges. 

Market watchers monitor the immediate price as a gauge of current need and market direction. An increased immediate rate indicates heightened demand.

What does “price spread” signify within the realm of silver transactions? 

The “price spread” refers to the gap between silver’s purchase and sale prices. Key terms include: 

• Ask price. This refers to what you pay to acquire silver 
• Bid price. This refers to what you receive when you sell silver 

As anticipated, the purchase price is lower than the selling price. A small difference between the two suggests strong interest in silver. 

How to invest in silver 

When considering investments in silver, you're presented with several avenues. These can generally be divided into two main categories: direct possession of the metal or investing in silver-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

Exchange-traded funds offer a more accessible route, enabling investors to acquire stakes in a portfolio containing silver, thereby eliminating the necessity for individuals to manage its safekeeping or coverage. 

Common silver investments include: 

• Silver bullion. This includes bars or rounds sold by weight and purity. 
• Silver coins. Think minted currency like American Silver Eagles or Silver Maple Leafs, often priced with a premium for rarity and government guarantee. 
• Silver jewelry. Specifically, crafted pieces that are worth more than equivalent-purity bullion. 
• Silver mining stocks. This type of investment refers to shares in companies that extract silver, giving you indirect exposure. 

For trading purposes, silver bars and coins are required to adhere to the “three nines fine” specification, demanding 99.9% fineness. Items not meeting this benchmark are typically categorized as either numismatic or for industrial application. Consult our article on the best silver IRA companies to gain further insight into optimal strategies for investing in valuable metals.

Is now an opportune moment to put money into silver? 

By 2025, the value of silver has surged by approximately 25% since the start of the year, attaining heights not observed in the last ten years. 

The optimal moment to make a purchase hinges on your perspective. Should worries about inflation trouble you, valuable metals might serve as a safeguard. Similarly, expected increases in industrial needs—spanning from green power to gadgets—may possibly drive additional advancements. 

Today's current prices for precious metals, as of 8:15 a.m. ET. 

Investors continue to show strong interest in gold, platinum, and palladium. The markets for platinum and palladium are smaller, leading to amplified price fluctuations that often resemble silver's unpredictability. In contrast, gold typically exhibits the least volatility among these precious metals.

The takeaway 

Amidst persistent economic instability, precious metals warrant attention. Silver's performance in 2025 has surpassed that of gold, and numerous experts foresee a strong possibility of additional gains, possibly propelling silver to unprecedented levels. 

Because silver is less expensive than gold, it offers a reachable way to start investing in precious metals. You can position yourself to profit from the upcoming rise in silver prices, regardless of whether you opt for tangible coins and bars, exchange-traded funds, or shares in mining companies.

Frequently asked questions