As a prepper, you have to consider different options and strategies while storing silver. Not only to keep it safe from looters but also for ease of access in a time of need. Also, keep in mind that in a major SHTF crisis, you could be forced to bug out and in this case, you should be able to grab your silver stash as fast as possible. If you have a larger amount of silver then my recommendation is to hide it in a safe place and only take one part of it in your bug out bag, this way you will have room for the other survival items like food, water, and so on.
Proper storage is crucial when it comes to preserving the value and integrity of silver, much like other precious metals. It is recommended to store silver in environments with low humidity and stable temperatures, avoiding extreme fluctuations. Airtight containers are highly effective for storing silver at home, as they help prevent tarnishing and protect the coins from exposure to moisture and air. If you choose to store your silver coins in albums or holders, it is important to avoid materials like plastic or PVC, as these can potentially cause damage or react with the metal over time.
One of the easiest ways of storing silver safely is by using a safe, my personal recommendation is to use an electronic safe that comes with a keypad and manual override Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
How you will actually store your silver is extremely important, silver is worth a lot of money and in case of a major SHTF situation, it can be worth even more. The problem with most people is that they simply put their silver in a box and hide it in one of the rooms. You have to think about the logistics of how you get your silver out as fast as possible, but in such a way that others will not easily find it.
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In certain situations, you have to grab your silver in an instant and go, although hopefully, this will never be the case. A lot of people store their silver in safes, the problem is that silver tends to occupy a lot more space than money, which means that the size of the safe has to be fairly large. Large safes are fairly expensive and anybody who sees your safe can easily think that the odds are that what you are hiding in the safe must be worth much more than the safe itself.
Installing a massive safe in your home is asking for trouble, a lot of people will notice, and sooner or later the entire neighborhood will know that you have a massive safe in your home. There are some companies that install safes without anybody noticing, although they do cost a fair bit more than if you would just order a safe from Amazon. If you are a prepper and you want to store silver in case of a major SHTF situation happens then check out my recent article Best silver for Preppers ( Top 5 ).
How To Store Silver Safely
Storing silver safely is crucial to protect your investment. There are several key considerations to keep in mind. First, choose a secure location that is protected from theft, such as a home safe or a safety deposit box at a reputable bank. Ensure the storage area is cool, dry, and free from excessive humidity to prevent tarnishing. It’s advisable to store silver in airtight containers or specially designed coin capsules to minimize exposure to air and moisture.
Additionally, using anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets can help absorb moisture and preserve the quality of the silver. Avoid storing silver directly on surfaces that may cause scratches or damage. Proper organization and documentation, such as keeping an inventory of your silver holdings, can also be helpful for tracking and managing your collection. Regularly inspect and maintain your storage setup to address any potential issues promptly.
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Storing Silver At Home
You should store your silver at home because that is where you have the most control over your valuables. Some store it in safety deposit boxes but I would not recommend this as in an SHTF situation it will be hard to access if at all possible. You have to use some creativity if you want to hide your silver in your home, in a large house you will have no problem finding a couple of hiding spots but in a small apartment, it will be difficult.
No matter where you store your silver you also have to make sure that you do not actually forget where you have placed them. I personally tend to do this with documents, store them in a safe place then spend days trying to find them. If you are wondering why a lot of preppers tend to go with silver rather than with gold then check out my recent article Why preppers invest in silver? ( Top 7 Reasons ).
Survey The Local Area
Survey your land in the proximity of your house where you can hide valuables and it is out of sight from your neighbors. Just be careful if the local criminals use metal detectors as they could easily find your stash. If you are determined to hide your silver by burying it on your land you could bury railway spikes on your property. This way if a criminal comes with a metal detector they will simply give up after they have found 30 railway spikes, make sure to bury these a little deeper than your stash so they have to work for it harder.
You can also hide your silver on some remote property, just make sure that it is not actually private property, as in that case, you are just giving your silver away. If you have decided to bury your silver then you have to make sure to place them in waterproof zip lock bags before you put them into the ground. Make sure not to disturb the top layer of soil too much as that will be a dead giveaway that you have been digging there. If you want to know how much silver you should have then check out my recent article How much silver should a prepper have ( 222 OZ ).
Know Who To Trust With The Location
Nobody should know about your silver stash, not even your wife. If you are burying your silver coins in your back yard your wife will think you are probably nuts and there is a high probability that she will mention it to at least one friend and soon enough you could find random people in your backyard. In the case of a personal SHTF like a divorce, you can just take the silver for your own use provided you bought it with your own money and she does not know about them.
I know this sounds a little bit selfish, but let’s face it in case of a divorce the chances are that your ex-wife is going to get the house, for which you will pay the mortgage while couch-surfing or moving back to your parent’s house. In the best-case scenario, this hidden stash of silver will be a nice bonus to you and your wife’s retirement.
Don’t Advertise That You Have Silver
Simply put keep your mouth shut, I have recently made a post about OPSEC and why all preppers should use it. Do not even mention to people that you are a prepper or you are buying valuable metals as in an SHTF situation they will come and knock on your door. They are way too many people advertising themselves on social media, and most of them try to fake it that they are extremely rich and then wonder why their houses got broken into.
Try to avoid social media at all costs, experienced criminals can piece together a lot of information about you just by looking at your social media. If you are going on a fancy holiday and you want to brag about it then take the pictures and only upload them on social media once you are home. If you want to know which items are often overlooked but can be excellent survival items then check out my recent article ( Top 44 ) Overlooked Survival Items.
Diversify The Hiding Spots
Do not put all your eggs in one basket, this is also true for silver. You should have several smaller stashes of silver hidden around and in your house just make sure that you can easily access them if there comes a time when you need them. If you have most of your silver in bars or ingots then it will be extremely hard to sell them during an SHTF situation. You should probably have the vast majority of your silver in the form of coins.
Increase Your Home Security
Make sure that your house is as safe as possible, installing an alarm, and if you have the possibility to get a good guard dog then this would be a good measure against any criminal. There are two ways to approach security if you live in a house, either illuminate the entire house during the night and have small fences this way anybody can be easily spotted or by building a tall fence. The problem with tall fences is that it is a dead giveaway, and most criminals will have no problem finding a blind spot where to access your property.
At that point, the tall fence is just serving their needs and hiding their activity. If you are bugging out due to looters then you have to protect your business, for more information check out my recent article How to protect your business from looters ( In 13 Easy Steps ).
Use A Decoy Stash Of Silver
You may be in a situation where you are not 100% confident in the security of your home and property. In cases like this, you may want to create a decoy or honey pot that you don’t mind if an invader steals. This might be “hidden” in your closet, sock drawer, or someplace that is accessible but not too obvious as carer criminals will probably know that it is just a decoy. If the word has gotten around that you have silver then it is a good idea to stash your silver in different places, and not in just one place.
The Local Climate Can Ruin Your Stored Silver
Silver is very conductive of heat and electricity and if your silver is not 99.99% silver and has other metals in it then it will corrode. Also if your silver is not pure try to keep them in a dry environment as it could oxidize due to the other metals in it. Silver tends to tarnish due to silver sulfide, this will cause black spots or even discoloration of the silver. Usually, this tends to happen once the silver starts a chemical reaction with the silver sulfate, and usually, it is due to improper storing conditions.
A lot of people tend to hide their silver in the basement where the humidity is fairly high and this kickstarts the chemical reaction which ends up tarnishing the silver. The problem with tarnish that you can not simply wash it off, you will have to polish it.
Make Regular Inventory
Make sure to make an inventory of all your silver at least twice a year especially if you have small children as they could have found it by accident. Make sure to write down the serial number of each coin and bullion if they have one, this way in case you have been robbed and the police find your silver you can recuperate them easier. A lot of people tend to take the silver out from the hiding spot and constantly count it, there is no point in making an inventory every day.
If you are constantly handling your silver then with the added moisture coming from your fingers you could start the tarnishing chemical reaction and it is not that easy to remove the tarnish.
Keep The Serial Numbers And Receipts Of The Silver In A Safe Place
You should have serial numbers and receipts with which you can go to the authorities in case you have been robbed. This is important because this way your silver can be tracked and everyone knows if you have a silver bar and it is out of the package without the serial number the value of that bar goes down. Burglars are going to want to keep your silver pristine as possible this way to get the highest value possible for your silver.
Key Takeaways
- Consider investing in a safe or a safety deposit box at a bank to store your silver securely. Ensure that the storage location is fire-resistant and protected from potential theft or damage.
- Silver can tarnish over time due to exposure to air and moisture. To prevent tarnishing, store your silver in airtight containers or specially designed storage sleeves that provide a barrier against the elements.
- When handling silver, use clean gloves or cotton gloves to minimize the transfer of oils and contaminants. Excessive handling can leave fingerprints and potentially damage the surface of the silver. Store silver items in a way that minimizes the need for frequent handling.