Silver bullion bars
Engelhard poured 100 oz .999 fine silver bullion bars
Silver bullion bars are the quintessential vehicles when it comes to investing in silver bullion, and no silver bullion bars are better examples than the old Engelhard poured 100 oz .999 fine (99.9% pure) silver bars. There are no more recognizable or accepted silver bullion bars than the Engelhard poured 100 oz silver bullion bars.
Silver bullion bars early history
In the early 1970s, with inflation eating away at the purchasing power of the dollar, small refiners and mints began turning out .999 fine silver bullion bars to meet the demand of investors who wanted to take delivery of their investments, as opposed to speculating on futures exchanges. By the mid-1970s, demand was robust, and Engelhard Mineral and Chemicals Corp. began producing .999 fine silver bullion bars. Engelhard also minted, until 1988, their now nearly legendary 1-oz .999 fine silver rounds, which today are simply known as Engelhard Prospectors.
Engelhard 100-oz silver bullion bars quickly became popular and were produced until the mid-1980s when investor interest waned. Today, Engelhard silver bullion bars still are common; however, they are not always available. But, Engelhard poured silver bullion bars are always desired.
Engelhard poured silver bullion bars, along with Johnson Matthey poured silver bars, were the standard for years However, as investor demand grew toward the 1980 blow-off, when silver hit $50 (and gold $850), Engelhard switched to extruded bars, which were cheaper to produce. (Johnson Matthey switched to struck 100-oz silver bars.)
On Engelhard poured silver bullion bars, the hallmark, the description, and the identification number are recessed, having been stamped on the bars. An Engelhard poured 100-oz silver bullion bar measures approximately 6-1/4" X 3-1/8" X 1" and weighs 6.86 pounds on a bathroom scale.
Engelhard and Johnson Matthey silver bullion bars
Engelhard and Johnson Matthey are highly respected names in the precious metals industry, causing many investors to ask for Engelhard or Johnson Matthey silver bullion bars. However, when Engelhard and Johnson Matthey bars are not available, investors can invest with confidence in Sunshine Minting, Academy and Wall Street Mint silver bullion bars, which are currently being produced.