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A customer spends $1,000 on silver. How much does the coin shop actually keep?

Step inside a fictional American coin shop to explore how precious metals dealers make money—and why a safe full of gold and silver doesn’t always mean there’s cash available to pay the bills.

Following shop owner Daniel, we break down:
• How coin shops source bullion and collectible coins
• Spot prices, premiums, and buy–sell spreads
• Inventory costs, cash flow, and operating expenses
• Authentication and the limits of certificate checks
• How changing metal prices affect the business
• What a simplified monthly break-even calculation reveals

If you buy physical gold or silver, understanding the business on the other side of the counter can help you ask better questions about pricing and resale.

When buying physical silver, do you compare the dealer’s buyback price as well as the selling price? Share your approach in the comments.

Subscribe to Economy Express for clear explanations of precious metals, money, and the businesses behind everyday financial decisions.

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