Production silver refers to silver products that private mints or refineries produce, typically in the form of bars, rounds, or other bullion items. These private mints may vary in size and reputation, but they all manufacture silver items for investment and collecting purposes. Production silver is valued for its intrinsic metal content and is often purchased by investors seeking to diversify their portfolios or hedge against economic uncertainty.
Unlike government-issued coins, production silver does not have legal tender status and is primarily traded based on weight and purity. Investors should research and select reputable private mints to ensure quality and authenticity when purchasing production silver.
About Production Silver
Variety of Products
Production silver comes in various forms, including bars, rounds, and specialty items. Bars are typically rectangular or ingot-shaped, while rounds resemble coins but are not legal tender. Some private mints also produce unique or themed silver items, catering to collectors’ interests.
Purity and Weight
Like government-issued silver, production silver is typically measured in troy ounces and often comes with a stamp indicating its purity level. Common purities include .999 (99.9% pure) and .9999 (99.99% pure). The weight and purity of production silver are essential factors influencing its value.
Design and Branding
While government-issued coins often feature national symbols or historical figures, production silver may showcase a wide range of designs and branding. Private mints have the creative freedom to produce silver items with unique artwork, logos, or commemorative themes.
Availability and Accessibility
Production silver is generally more readily available and accessible compared to government-issued coins. Private mints produce silver in various sizes and quantities, allowing investors to choose options that suit their budget and preferences.
Storage and Security
Like any precious metal investment, proper storage and security measures are essential for protecting production silver. Investors often store their silver in secure safes, safety deposit boxes, or specialized storage facilities to safeguard their investment.
Market Liquidity
Production silver can offer liquidity in the precious metals market, although government-issued coins may have broader recognition and easier resale due to their legal tender status. Nonetheless, reputable production silver products from well-known private mints are generally easy to buy and sell within the bullion market.
Collectible Appeal
Some production silver items may have collectible appeal beyond their intrinsic metal value. Limited-edition releases, unique designs, or items with historical significance can attract collectors, potentially adding value beyond the silver content alone.
Production Silver Mints
There are numerous private mints and refineries around the world that produce production silver bars, rounds, and other bullion products. Here are some well-known examples:
- PAMP Suisse: PAMP (Produits Artistiques Métaux Précieux) Suisse, based in Switzerland, is one of the world’s leading bullion brands known for producing high-quality silver bars and other precious metal products.
- Credit Suisse: Credit Suisse, a multinational financial services company based in Switzerland, also produces silver bars and other bullion items trusted by investors worldwide.
- Johnson Matthey: Johnson Matthey, a British multinational speciality chemicals company, was once a prominent producer of silver bullion bars before it exited the precious metals refining business in 2015. Their older bars are still sought after by collectors.
- Engelhard: Engelhard Corporation, a former American chemical manufacturer, was a major player in the precious metals industry before it was acquired by BASF in 2006. Engelhard silver bars, especially those from earlier production runs, are highly sought after by collectors.
- Sunshine Minting: Sunshine Minting, based in the United States, is known for producing a wide range of silver bars and rounds, including the popular Sunshine Mint Silver Eagle rounds.
- Perth Mint: Although primarily known for its government-issued coins, the Perth Mint in Australia also produces silver bars and other bullion items that are highly regarded in the precious metals market.
- Valcambi Suisse: Valcambi Suisse, based in Switzerland, is a leading refiner known for producing silver bars and other bullion products, renowned for their quality and craftsmanship.
We also have our own mint, 9Fine Mint, in Oklahoma. This mint produces rounds, bars, and hand-poured silver items for investors. This mint is a subdivision of APMEX.
Production silver provides investors with a flexible and accessible option for adding physical silver to their investment portfolios. With proper research and attention to quality, investors can confidently acquire production silver to diversify their holdings and hedge against economic volatility.
