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 Replies: 17 / Views: 8,458 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
572 Posts |
Pictures first:   The dimensions are the same as the 1-oz JM silver bars except it is twice thicker. The company in the back is still in business: http://www.tph.ca/abouttph/It's founded in 1961, which makes this bar was produced around 1986, I assume. Really like the low serial. But probably not many of these were produced anyways. I wish there is some reference listing all the art bars that JM had made. All the ones I could find are those listed on ebay. Btw, I got a question. What's the use of the serial numbers? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
Looks like a fine example of finger print toning as well and another good reason to wear cotton gloves. But not that that matters really, as a J&M two oz. of silver is two oz. of fine silver any way you size it up.....
Rare an old, hard to find in 2 oz. version I bet as well.....
Edited by Silverhawk74
03/05/2012 9:30 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1502 Posts |
I assume that serial numbers are for authentication, inventory/production tracking and quality control.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4944 Posts |
Yeah, all Johnson Matthey bars have serial numbers.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
648 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
572 Posts |
Thank you guys. I like it too. :) I was just wondering if it is possible to make use of the serial number to identify or/and authenticate the bar? I suppose there is no way we can gain an access to Johnson Matthey's inventory. I have no idea how many types of bars that they have made in the past. I picked this one up at a dealer in person. If I saw it listed online and couldn't find any information elsewhere, I would hesitate very much to make a purchase. I guess we have to take a chance sometimes. Then the serials are merely a decoration to us nowadays.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
You may also notice on last back side pic, it says "celebrating 25 years of business (also says "The printing house"), so a 25th anniversary special 2 oz. bar for J & M....
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
834 Posts |
I have a few of these 2oz JM bars and have sold a few also. They carry a huge Premium! I sold one on ebay when silver was at $40 for $160. If you put that bar uP on ebay today you would have no problem getting $120 plus for it, people seem to have bidding wars for these JM bars. Good pick up |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
572 Posts |
Thanks, swrbxxx. That's very encouraging. Have you seen many types of these commercial art bars?
How would the serials be assigned? I assume the number is unique, whereas the front/back can look different. But that would limit the quantity per denomination, i.e., 1-, 2-, or 5-oz, etc., to 1 million (10^6), if all 6 digits are numerical. I have seen serials of 1-oz bars start with a letter R or S, followed by 5 numerical digits. That would certainly expand the serial database. Anyways, just out of curiosity. :)
Thanks all for reading.
Edited by Amaths
03/06/2012 2:13 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
834 Posts |
I have there popular here in Canada, as JM is in Toronto. I think I have 10oz in two oz JM bars. The other 10oz I sold off and turned into 17oz of silver via 1oz JM bars. Crazy the premium Americans pay on JM bars in general most I've paid was only a couple bucks over spot
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Valued Member
United States
264 Posts |
So the company had these minted just to hand out? Interesting how times have changed!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4008 Posts |
Quote:
I assume that serial numbers are for authentication, inventory/production tracking and quality control. Yep... also useful for ID and recovery after a theft.  |
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Valued Member
United States
306 Posts |
Pretty neat! I also wonder how/who the company gave these out to.
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Valued Member
United States
109 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
572 Posts |
Thanks. That's one of the limited references I checked out. There are a few more other types I can find on ebay. I guess the author either gave up updating the web or there was just too little information on each design. On the contrary, it seems the list on Engelhard bar is quite complete. |
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
I am jealous. This is the first 2oz JM bar that I've seen that was made commercially for a business. You see the 1oz different versions all the time but never the 2oz.
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Replies: 17 / Views: 8,458 |
Posted 03/05/2012 9:44 pm
