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 Replies: 15 / Views: 6,287 |
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Pillar of the Community
1283 Posts |
I picked this up at a local swap meet today for close to spot. I believe I had seen one before but I can't really remember where? The guy claimed it to be a Japanese Bank Bar from the turn of the century. It weighs almost 12 ounces right in the 11.9 range. He had three others all of different weights but close to each other. I wanted all four but without knowing its content for sure I only gambled on one. What do you think? I know its silver but is it .999? I am unsure of. Thanks for the help.   |
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Valued Member
United States
151 Posts |
There is a guy on youtube called coinpicker, he seems to know a lot about asian bullion and he's very helpful.
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Valued Member
United States
137 Posts |
From what I was able to find in might be Chinese or Vietnamese. There is a Vietnamese bar that has markings that are very close to yours. There is also a Chinese "Boat" bar with similar markings. I could not find any Japanese ones that looked close. If it is Vietnamese, they were usually .900 silver
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Valued Member
United States
380 Posts |
It's pretty cool, whatever it is. I want some.
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Valued Member
United States
487 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
148 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 1283 Posts |
Thanks for the help guys esp you Rasta I really appreciate the link. I believe it is real but I'm glad I didn't buy the other 30+ ounces he had like these.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
Could I possibly see a picture of the side containing the small rectangle? I'm interested in seeing why it was stamped (or possibly rolled) the way it was that bent it out of shape. Specifically, I want to know if the edges were cut off after the stamp and why it's so elongated. Thanks.
The sulphurized surface makes me think it's not .999. Possibly a tilted closeup image of the stamp marks as well? Thanks again. If you have the time.
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Pillar of the Community
1283 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
I find it interesting that almost every side of the ingot is stamped. The elongation of the ingot makes me think that it was roller stamped with a heavy mill because of its unevenness in the curve. BUT, there is a frame around the edges, so it was probably set in a die and stamped that way, probably with a steam press or a kick press. It doesn't look forged or worked in any way, as pits and porosity are present. In all a very curious bar. Thanks for sharing! If anyone reads Vietnamese, please give us some insight on the markings, specifically the date the bar was made so we know what kind of technology can be ruled out in the manufacturing of this ingot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C1DjmYAupEthis link is pretty helpful, but I'm more interested in how they were made. Edited by Libertad
02/18/2013 5:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3184 Posts |
honestly, I'd be wary as the chinese fake their own silver style bars and I bet other countries.
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Valued Member
Canada
281 Posts |
[quote][ honestly, I'd be wary as the chinese fake their own silver style bars and I bet other countries./quote]  I'd be hard pressed buying this unrecognizable silver and then trying to resell it. Hard to find info and the fact that the Chinese are notorious for faking Morgan dollars and Pandas. I wouldn't touch that silver with a 10 foot pole |
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Pillar of the Community
1283 Posts |
Oh well its only one bar. I'm sure its legit as it came from a well established dealer but I won't be buying more of them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2764 Posts |
These caligraphy writing are not Vietnamese (at least not the modern, Latin base writing).
A very high probability that it's Chinese.... get a small drill bit, make a hole, drop some acid in it.... you'll know the result soon enough.... ;)
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Pillar of the Community
1283 Posts |
I just really don't want to drill it. I think i'll just throw it in a bag and try to forget about it or maybe just take it back to the dealer I got it from. I guess I just really assumed it was real. It feels weight and density wise just like silver to me even sounds like silver but who knows. Thanks for the help guys.
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Valued Member
United States
148 Posts |
Don't ruin it by drilling it, If it's faked THAT WELL then heck with it, who cares? It will probably never be melted and is a novelty piece. If it fooled a dealer and fooled you and someday you sell it and someone will take a chance on it understanding the risks and they will be fooled as well.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 6,287 |
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Posted 02/17/2013 4:10 pm
