Silver bars from San Francisco mint?

zap1111

A friend inherited a collection from his late brother that includes three silver bars that were supposedly purchased at the San Francisco mint in the late 60s. They are .996 fine, with one at 97 ounces, one at 79 ounces and one at 77 ounces. Does anybody know if this kind of sale actually happened back then. The friend is looking for written proof in the estate records of the sale. Thanks for the advice.
zap

blu62vette

What marks are on them? US Assay office or others?

Walmann

Ths San Francisco mint did sell silver bars,



The center bar is an example of one of them.

zap1111

Thanks. A good point that I forgot to mention. No marks on the bars (ingots) other than an ink marker used to mark the weight, (97.39, 79.26, 77.83)

CaptHenway

<< <i>Thanks. A good point that I forgot to mention. No marks on the bars (ingots) other than an ink marker used to mark the weight, (97.39, 79.26, 77.83) >>



These were paid out as silver certificates were redeemed in 1968, at the rate of $1.29 in paper per ounce of silver.
TD

zap1111

Would there be any premium for these bars above the melt value due to the fact they are from the mint? Thanks to everyone for the help in understanding.
zap

cullenbryant

neat. haven't seen one before. just a guess but i'd bet there's a premium over melt on them.

CertifiedGoldCoins

<< <i>Ths San Francisco mint did sell silver bars,

The center bar is an example of one of them. >>



I own several like the one in the center, and they are quite valuable, because they carry the Mint's Eagle stamp. But if all they have is a magic marker scribble, they're basically bullion, because anyone can write on a bar of silver, unless there's some documentation that can be found.

SaorAlba

Yes indeed, there have been several on Stacks and Heritage, even in the last few months. They are fairly scarce.

CaptHenway

<< <i>

<< <i>Ths San Francisco mint did sell silver bars,

The center bar is an example of one of them. >>



I own several like the one in the center, and they are quite valuable, because they carry the Mint's Eagle stamp. But if all they have is a magic marker scribble, they're basically bullion, because anyone can write on a bar of silver, unless there's some documentation that can be found. >>



What he said........
TD

57loaded

they are worth much more than melt, are rare and collected

FredWeinberg

These are the types of bars that were paid out
by the SF Mint to people (mostly dealers!) who
turned in Silver Certificates.

I remember Dealers here in Los Angeles advertising
to buy them, and then they would fly up to SF to
turn 'em in for silver bars.....Steve Markoff, of A-Mark,
and many others, were big players in this short-term
situation.

The deadline was converting Silver Certificates
for silver was 1966, I believe; (not sure)

CaptHenway

June of 1968.
TD

CaptHenway

<< <i>they are worth much more than melt, are rare and collected >>



not the grease pen kind, just the stamped kind with the SF Mint logo on them.

zap1111

Thanks to all for the information!
zap

Walmann

The ingots with the mint stamp some recent realized auction prices:
June 27 2008
5.6oz $805.00
24.12 $1495.00

Hertiage also sold an unstamped, 99.73 oz for $1995 May 29, 2008 which was attributed to SF, but as you can see little to no premium despite documentation:

zap1111

Walmann,

Thanks for the images and research. This is EXACTLY what my friend's bars look like, but without any documentation taped to the back. Perhaps he'll find it in the estates records. Nevertheless, it does look like little premium above melt is available from collectors for this kind of unstamped bar.

This ended up being a pretty interesting thread. Thanks.

zap