Significance

• As with any investment and trade, it is wise to remember to never trade with more than you can afford to lose. Never bet the farm.
  
  

Function

• Silver is an affordable commodity in comparison to other metals. The price of silver does rise and fall daily, and it often follows the rise and fall of gold.
  
  

Coins

• One way to trade silver is to buy silver coins. Many coin dealers offer a varieties of coins in different sizes, weights, denominations and types. When buying a collectible silver coin, always get a certificate of authenticity.
  
  

Securities

• Many silver stocks, silver mining stocks, and exchange traded funds (ETF) can be bought and sold as a way to trade silver.
  
  

Mutual Funds

• There are many precious metal mutual funds. These funds do hold other commodities in addition to silver such as gold, platinum, and copper. These funds limit risks and losses that can occur from holding just one metal.
  
  

Futures

• Silver can also be traded as a futures contract. This is a way to hedge against inflation, take advantage of future increases or declines in the metal, or simply as a way to trade.