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Rich Silver

Silver Enthusiast & Creative Entrepreneur

Rich Silver is a lifelong silver enthusiast and creative entrepreneur who has turned his passion for precious metals into a vibrant career and community. Blending a professional drive with a friendly, down-to-earth style, Rich has become a respected bullion collector and content creator in the silver stacking world. His journey from a childhood fascination with silver coins to leading online communities of fellow collectors showcases a narrative of enthusiasm, innovation, and dedication to all things silver.

A black and white selfie of Richard Buchanan, also known as Rich Silver or RichSilverX, wearing reflective sunglasses and a patterned shirt with a silver chain necklace. He is smiling slightly, with a scenic, mountainous landscape and a body of water blurred in the background. His sunglasses reflect a modern bridge structure, adding contrast to the natural setting.

Rich Silver: Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge from Crown Point, Oregon — one of the most breathtaking views in the Pacific Northwest.

Early Life and the Spark of a Silver Passion

Rich Silver’s story begins in Missouri, where he was born to a young mother just out of high school. His parents separated early on, and by the time he was around three, his mother had remarried. His stepfather’s Navy career led to a childhood spent moving across the country—from Illinois and California to Virginia—before eventually returning to Missouri. While Rich was largely estranged from his biological father growing up, they occasionally spoke by phone, and he and his brother received birthday and Christmas packages from him every year. One of those gifts—two American Silver Eagle coins he received at age 13—would unexpectedly ignite a lifelong passion. The gleam of those coins fascinated him. Though his relationship with his father was distant, Rich was deeply curious about the man, who was known for being incredibly creative: a blacksmith, a jeweler, a carpenter, and an artist. His father’s talents left a lasting impression, even as he struggled with alcoholism. That unique combination of distance, mystery, and inherited creativity became a powerful early influence on Rich’s fascination with silver and craftsmanship—a spark that would shape the rest of his life.

A 1944 Mercury dime sits atop a polished labradorite stone, displaying its detailed wings-and-helmet design. The background shimmers with the natural iridescent blues and greens of the labradorite surface. The coin is one of the first collected by Rich Silver during childhood—traded for a piece of gum on a school bus.

1944 Mercury Dime: One of the earliest coins in Rich Silver’s collection, traded to him on a grade school bus for a piece of chewing gum. Photographed here resting on a polished labradorite specimen from his personal rock collection

As a kid, Rich was fascinated by silver coins. He collected them casually, filling up coin folders and treasuring the American Silver Eagles he’d received, but it was more of a quiet interest than a defining trait. He wasn’t an expert, just a curious kid who appreciated the beauty and value of silver. In his teen years and throughout his twenties, silver took a backseat to the usual distractions—friends, music, parties, and trying to figure life out. He still wore silver rings and loved silver jewelry, but the idea of collecting or stacking wasn’t on his radar at the time. Like many, he didn’t have the extra money or long-term mindset to invest in precious metals during those years, though he now wishes he had. It wasn’t until his early thirties that his passion for silver was reignited—this time with more focus, intention, and a deeper understanding of what silver could really mean, both as a store of value and a form of expression.

Lifelong Love for Silver Collectibles

What began with a couple of coins evolved into a lifelong pursuit of all things silver. Today, Rich Silver’s passion spans investment-grade bullion, unique artisan creations, jewelry, and vintage treasures. In other words, he doesn’t limit himself to just one corner of the silver market – he’s excited by every aspect of it. As a bullion collector, Rich stacks silver bars and modern coins for their inherent value, staying on top of the precious metals market. At the same time, he cherishes antique and vintage silver items, from old coins to heirloom jewelry and tableware, believing that every piece of vintage silver carries a historical story worth preserving. His personal collection features an eclectic mix: classic American coins like Morgan and Peace dollars, gleaming sterling silver antiques picked up from estate sales, and even quirky finds like sterling sculptures of American heroes and figurines of cute little animals.

One area of special interest for Rich is the world of independent silversmiths and limited-run collectibles. He actively supports handcrafted silver work – those one-of-a-kind pieces poured by skilled artisans – as well as officially licensed novelty silver items (think silver statuettes of pop culture icons or limited edition themed coins). In fact, Rich often says that silver’s appeal isn’t just in its market value, but in its craftsmanship and creativity. From intricate vintage silver tea sets to modern artistic silver statues, if it’s made of real silver, it’s on Rich’s radar. This broad love for silver collectibles is something he shares enthusiastically with others, encouraging would-be collectors that “if you’re going to collect something… collect silver!”. It’s not just a hobby for him – it’s a way of life that combines investment savvy with the joy of treasure-hunting unique pieces.

A close-up black and white photograph of two American Silver Eagle coins, dated 1992 and 1993, resting in the palm of a hand. The obverse side of each coin features the iconic Walking Liberty design—Lady Liberty striding forward with flowing robes, an outstretched arm, and a bundle of oak and laurel branches in her other arm. Sun rays rise from the bottom left, and the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” are clearly visible. The coins are well-lit, showing fine detail and light wear.

Two American Silver Eagle Dollars: The first silver dollars owned by Rich Silver, gifts that sparked my lifelong passion for silver collecting.

Community Leadership and Online Presence

With such a genuine passion for silver, it’s no surprise that Rich Silver has built a strong online presence and become a community leader among fellow enthusiasts. He has embraced social media and community platforms to connect with other collectors, sharing knowledge and excitement. On X (formerly Twitter), @RichSilverX is the face behind SSC — Silver Stackers & Collectors — one of the oldest and most active precious metals communities on the platform. As the group’s founder and admin, Rich fosters a welcoming space where silver lovers share their latest finds, stacking tips, and market updates. His approachable, encouraging style has helped the community grow into a trusted hub for silver collectors of all experience levels.

Beyond X, Rich extends his community leadership to Facebook and Reddit. He founded Collect Silver, a Facebook page (and accompanying website) that acts as a hub for silver collectors. There he promotes “all forms of physical silver – limited editions, vintage, independent artist pours and more”, echoing his inclusive approach to the hobby. He also moderates niche collector groups such as Mint Trading Coins, a community devoted to the New Zealand Mint’s trading coin series (where fans of Star Wars™, DC Comics, and other themed silver coins swap insights and even trade pieces). On Reddit, Rich didn’t miss a beat in cultivating community: he established subreddits like r/CollectSilver and r/SilverStatues specifically to discuss silver collectibles. In these forums, collectors discuss everything from the latest 1oz coin releases to stunning .999 fine silver figurines. Rich’s role in these groups is part teacher, part cheerleader – he shares educational posts for newcomers (“How to Start Collecting Silver” guides), highlights outstanding pieces from members’ collections, and keeps the conversation fun and welcoming.

Rich’s online presence also includes visually rich platforms. On Instagram and TikTok (as @RichSilverX), he showcases photogenic silver pieces – think glimmering coin close-ups or unboxing videos of a newly arrived silver statue. His YouTube channel is a trove of unboxings and reviews; for example, Rich has posted in-depth unboxing videos for the Mint Trading Coins series, walking viewers through the thrill of opening a sealed box of silver collectibles and revealing the treasures inside. Across all these platforms, Rich’s professional yet friendly persona shines. Importantly, he has cultivated a reputation for trust and expertise – his followers know him as someone who genuinely loves silver and isn’t shy about sharing honest opinions on dealers, prices, or products. This leadership in the online silver world has made Rich a go-to resource for anyone stepping into the hobby of silver stacking or looking to deepen their knowledge of precious metals collectibles.

Diverse Career and Digital Skills

Before Rich Silver became synonymous with silver collecting, he built up a diverse professional background that continues to inform his creative work. In 2003, he moved to Boston and worked in the travel industry as an Airlines Reporting Agent for one of the largest agencies in the country. While the job itself was routine, the experience of living in a major city with such a diverse population was transformative. Rich met people from all walks of life every day, and that exposure helped shape his open-minded, curious approach to the world—a perspective that still shows up in his creative projects and community leadership today.

By the 2010s, Rich had returned to Missouri and began working for a major textbook distribution company, where he developed a strong foundation in e-commerce logistics and analytics. His role involved managing sales across platforms like Amazon and eBay, as well as working with spreadsheets, pricing models, database management, sales reporting, and trend analysis. He became skilled at interpreting data, building queries, and optimizing pricing strategies across multiple marketplaces. Separately, through his personal passion for domain names and website creation, Rich taught himself the basics of web development and search engine optimization. What began as a hobby—buying, naming, and flipping domain names—evolved into a valuable skill set that he now applies to his own sites and projects. Together, these experiences gave him the technical and creative tools he uses today to build and grow communities around silver collecting and beyond.

An interesting facet of Rich Silver’s journey is his long-running involvement in online forums and the world of domain names. Years ago, before adopting the “Rich Silver” moniker, he was known in certain internet circles by the username “GreenGambler.” Under this alias, Rich actively participated in communities like NamePros (a forum for domain name investors) and DigitalPoint (a digital marketing and webmaster forum), sharing tips and learning about SEO, affiliate marketing, and web development. He even dabbled in domain trading and was a regular in discussions about monetizing websites and improving online traffic. This period of engagement helped Rich cultivate a strong foundation in content creation, SEO tactics, and online branding. It’s also where he developed his voice as a helpful community member – a trait that seamlessly carried over once he started leading his own communities. In short, Rich’s professional experiences – spanning travel services, e-commerce management, and forum-based learning – have all contributed to the skill set he employs today: building websites, growing online followings, and creating high-quality content about silver and art.

Artistic Creativity and the Artlicious Journey

Aside from his silver endeavors, Rich Silver is also an accomplished artist and entrepreneur in the art world. In fact, Rich Silver is the creative persona of Richard Buchanan – a name he adopted in 2024 to honor his passion for collecting, stacking, and owning silver and other precious metals. Long before that rebranding, Rich’s artistic journey had humble beginnings. As a child constantly relocating due to his family’s military life, Rich often turned to drawing and crafting as a comforting constant. He showed a natural talent for art early on, earning recognition in school art programs and dreaming up imaginative sketches. Yet, life took a few detours after high school. It wasn’t until his move to Boston in 2003 that Rich rekindled his relationship with art in a serious way. In Boston’s vibrant cultural scene, he met a mentor (a painter named Karen) who introduced him to oil painting. Rich fell in love with the medium; evenings that might have been spent idly were now joyfully dedicated to brushstrokes and canvases. Tragically, in 2006, Rich’s father passed away – but even in loss, there was inspiration. His father left behind cherished paintbrushes and a hand-crafted oak easel that he had built at age 16, bequeathing them to Rich. Using those very tools, Rich felt a profound connection to his dad and a renewed drive to create art, as if guided by an unseen encouraging hand from the past.

By 2010, Rich’s confidence as an artist had grown, and he showcased his work at a local gallery known as the “Catacombs.” This experience of displaying his own paintings to the public was transformative – it proved to him that his art could resonate with others. Riding that wave of inspiration, Rich founded Artlicious, LLC in 2010 as a personal brand for his creative endeavors. The name “Artlicious” embodied his idea of art that is delightful and enriching. In the years that followed, Rich continued to refine his style, often blending realism with imaginative twists. But perhaps the most exciting turn in his artistic journey came in 2022, when Rich boldly embraced cutting-edge technology in his art. He began experimenting with AI (artificial intelligence) tools to co-create artwork. Instead of seeing AI as a threat to traditional art, Rich saw it as an opportunity – a new kind of paintbrush. He started by feeding photographs of his own paintings and sketches into AI models, using them to generate novel effects or to reimagine backgrounds and textures. The result was a unique digital art style that married human creativity with AI’s generative power. His pieces might start as a hand-painted portrait, then evolve through AI-enhanced layering into something surreal and mesmerizing. This fusion of traditional artistry and tech innovation became a hallmark of Rich’s work, and he was thrilled by how innovative and timeless the results could be.

A white dinner plate with a fork on the left and a knife on the right. Colorful paint splashes and drips in vibrant rainbow hues cascade across the plate, creating an abstract, artistic effect. At the bottom of the plate, the stylized text reads “Artlicious.com” in black script. The image blends themes of creativity, art, and culinary presentation.

Company Logo: The second iteration of the Artlicious website logo.

In summer 2024, Rich took a big leap forward by launching Artlicious.com as a full-fledged e-commerce platform for his art. Now an independent artist turned small business owner, he offers a diverse range of his digital artwork and merchandise to customers worldwide. Visitors to Artlicious can find everything from limited edition prints and canvas wall art to wearable art and home décor featuring Rich’s vibrant designs. Each piece, whether it’s part of a sci-fi inspired series or a fantasy-themed abstract, tells a story – often reflecting Rich’s own interests in science fiction, fantasy, and nature (more on those passions later). Importantly, Rich’s use of AI in art hasn’t replaced his personal touch; rather, it complements it. He likens the technology to “an extra hand shaping the clay,” enabling him to push creative boundaries while still guiding the vision. Through Artlicious, Rich also hopes to support other independent artists in the future, showcasing exclusive collaborations that can enrich the platform’s collection. The success of Artlicious stands as another testament to Rich Silver’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit – he has proven that one can be both a silver collector and a visionary artist, with each pursuit enhancing the other.

Embracing an AI Persona and Looking Ahead

One of the most distinctive aspects of Rich’s brand is his persona “Rich Silver” itself – not just as a name, but as a visual character that represents his blend of technology, art, and silver culture. In online appearances and some of his branding, Rich is represented by an AI-crafted avatar: a sleek metallic figure styled like a modern mannequin, often seen wearing reflective aviator sunglasses and a black t-shirt emblazoned with the “CollectSilver.com” logo. This striking character, haloed by neon rings and set against backdrops of silver bars and coins, serves as a kind of friendly mascot for the Rich Silver brand. It’s an embodiment of Rich’s ethos – futuristic and tech-savvy (thanks to the AI artistry), yet grounded in the tangible beauty of real silver. By using this avatar, Rich adds a creative, personal touch to his videos and posts, all while protecting a bit of his privacy and focusing attention on the silver treasures he showcases. In many ways, the “Rich Silver” persona personifies the idea that silver collecting is fun, hip, and accessible to a new generation of tech-aware collectors. It’s professional enough to be taken seriously as a brand, but playful enough to invite everyone into the community with a smile.

Looking to the future, Rich Silver’s ambitions are as shiny as the bullion he stacks. Ever the innovator, he plans to expand his content creation with even more in-depth silver product reviews and high-quality unboxing videos. Followers can expect Rich to delve into the nitty-gritty of newly released coins, silver gadgets, and collectibles – discussing not just their specs, but also the history or fandom behind them, and whether he deems them worthy additions for fellow stackers and collectors. He is also exploring the possibility of launching his own line of silver bullion products. This could mean anything from custom-designed silver rounds bearing the Rich Silver logo, to collaborating with established mints on exclusive limited-edition releases.

The “Rich Silver” brand: Part collector, part creator, all shine. A reflection of silver culture through a futuristic lens.

Through these plans, Rich remains grounded and mindful of keeping things approachable and fun. He often says that no matter how big a project might become, the core should remain sharing joy and knowledge. His vision for the coming years includes potentially hosting meet-ups or conventions for silver enthusiasts, producing educational content (like an e-book or course on silver collecting basics), and continuing to grow the online groups into thriving networks. Ultimately, Rich Silver looks ahead to a future where he not only curates and collects silver, but also actively shapes the hobby’s landscape – all while keeping that friendly, passionate spark that got him started at 13 alive and well.

Beyond Silver: Personal Interests and Inspiration

While silver and art take center stage in Rich Silver’s life, his personality is multifaceted, enriched by a range of personal interests that often feed into his professional creativity. For one, Rich is an avid lover of nature. When he’s not posting about the latest coin release or experimenting with digital art, you might find him tending to his collection of plants at home. Rich has a self-described “green haven” filled with bonsai trees, succulents like cacti, and delicate orchids, reflecting his patient and nurturing side. This green thumb hobby offers him a peaceful counterbalance to the clinking of coins and the glow of computer screens – it’s not uncommon for him to draw analogies between cultivating a plant and building a silver collection (both require care, knowledge, and time to grow). His love of nature also extends to an interest in rocks and crystals. Much as he appreciates the luster of polished silver, Rich is equally fascinated by the raw beauty of minerals and geodes formed by Mother Earth. He often decorates his workspace with sparkling quartz clusters or amethyst geodes alongside stacks of silver bars, creating an environment that inspires both his analytical and imaginative pursuits.

Rich is also a big fan of science fiction and fantasy, genres that ignite his imagination and bleed into his creative projects. Ask him about his favorite sci-fi universe or fantasy lore, and he’ll light up like a kid talking about a candy store. This love for the fantastical is evident in some of the silver pieces he adores – for example, collectible silver statuettes of dragons, wizards, or Star Wars characters (like the fine silver Boba Fett miniature proudly displayed on this site) combine his hobby with his fandoms. It also surfaces in his artwork: some of Rich’s digital art series feature otherworldly landscapes and futuristic themes.

Despite juggling so many interests and projects, Rich Silver maintains a friendly, approachable demeanor. Those who interact with him in the silver forums or art circles often remark on his willingness to help and his positive outlook. He’s the kind of person who sees the beauty in a mint-condition coin and a blooming rose with equal awe. This blend of passions has given Rich a well-rounded perspective: he values the old and the new, the physical and the digital, the practical investment and the whimsical flight of fancy. It’s precisely this balance that makes his narrative so compelling. Rich Silver’s biography is more than a chronicle of one man’s life – it’s an invitation to explore how following one’s passion (be it for silver stacking, creating art, or building community) can lead to a rich and fulfilling journey. In sharing his story on a silver enthusiast platform, Rich aims to inspire others to find their own spark. Whether you’re drawn by the glitter of vintage silver collectibles, the prospect of investing in precious metals, or the creativity of blending art with AI, Rich Silver’s life illustrates that with passion and persistence, you truly can turn what you love into a way of life. And perhaps most importantly, he shows that the journey can be just as rewarding as the treasure at the end.

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