Reselling a silver bar or coins is simple, provided you understand how the buy-back price is formed. A few good habits are enough to avoid an unjustified discount. Here’s the complete method.
What the buy-back price is based on
The price you’re offered for your silver depends on three elements:
- The spot price of the day: the global reference, identical everywhere. Check it before doing anything on our silver price page.
- The weight of fine silver: this is the actual mass of pure metal, not the gross weight. An item in 925 (sterling) silver contains 92.5% silver; a 999 investment coin, almost 100%.
- The buyer’s margin: the gap they keep between the price and the amount they pay you.
A fair buy-back sits at a reasonable fraction of the spot price. The lower the stated margin, the better you’re paid.
A concrete calculation example
Imagine a 1 kg bar of fine silver, while the spot price is €1.66 per gram. The gross metal value is therefore €1,660. If the buyer applies a margin of around 10%, they offer you about €1,490. This amount can vary depending on the dealer and the day: hence the value of comparing several offers and always starting from the day’s price as a reference point.
For an item in 925 silver, the calculation starts from the weight of fine silver: a set of cutlery weighing 2,000 g gross contains “only” 1,850 g of pure silver (92.5%), and you still have to remove the weighted handles and steel blades, which are not silver.
Recognised bars and coins: the smoothest sale
A bar with its certificate and original seal (LBMA reference, serial number) is bought back without a “doubt discount”: the buyer doesn’t have to verify authenticity, so they pay closest to the price.
Conversely, an unsealed bar or an isolated coin with no provenance may take a small discount, for the time it takes to check (acoustic test, density measurement, magnet, sometimes analysis). Hence the value of keeping the packaging and documents from the moment of purchase.
Silverware, cutlery, jewellery: the 925 case
Many sellers overestimate their silverware. A “silver” cutlery set is generally in 925 silver: its buy-back value corresponds to the weight of fine silver (92.5% of the total weight), less the non-metallic parts. Artistic or collector value belongs to a different market than the metal one: a rare piece may be worth far more than its silver weight, but that is assessed case by case.
Where to sell your silver
Several channels exist, each with its advantages:
- Specialised dealer / gold and silver buy-back: immediate valuation, quick payment, ideal if a point of sale is near you. On each city page of Lingots-Argent.fr, we indicate the nearest dealer.
- Online buy-back with secure shipping: convenient when no dealer is nearby. Be sure to check the parcel insurance, the traceability of the shipment and the transparency of the quote before sending.
- Local jeweller: possible in a pinch, but the margin is often less favourable than with a metal specialist.
In all cases, ask for a free, no-obligation estimate before deciding. This is the norm among serious professionals — request yours.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Selling in a hurry without having looked at the day’s price.
- Accepting an “all-inclusive” offer with no detail of the weight and margin.
- Relying on gross weight: only the weight of fine silver counts.
- Melting it yourself or damaging an item: this only complicates appraisal and lowers the price.
- Sending a valuable parcel without insurance: if it’s lost, you’re not covered.
Resale taxation in brief
In France, the resale of physical silver falls under two regimes to choose from: the flat-rate tax on precious metals or the real capital-gains regime (with an allowance for holding period, on proof of purchase). Keeping your purchase invoice often opens the second, which becomes more advantageous over the years. We cover this point in our dedicated guide to VAT and the taxation of silver.
Checklist before selling
- I’ve noted the day’s price.
- I know the real weight of fine silver of my items.
- I’ve gathered certificates and seals.
- I’ve asked for several detailed estimates.
- If shipping: the parcel is insured and tracked.
In summary
- Look at the day’s price before anything else.
- Keep certificates and seals to avoid the doubt discount.
- Compare the margin, not just the advertised price.
- Insist on a detailed free estimate.
Want to have your bars or coins appraised? Find your city and request a free valuation. To buy at the right time, also read our buying guide.
This article is informational and does not constitute investment advice.