Looking For My First 5 Oz Bar

Can you tell the genuine artivle from the fake? If you can, buy the lower premium bar. If you can't, sleep well with Engelhard or J&M. Also, who are you going to ultimately sell it to? A collector who pays for a brand name or a refiner who sees bullion for what it is.

My first 5 ounce bars were Engelhard btw, at exactly these prices exactly 4 years ago. At that time I was really convinced that silver spot price would rise, do you feel that today? I buy very sparingly these days and I don't actively seek it out anymore, I have everything I need.

The last few 5 oz engelhard struck bars sold on ebay have gone for around $150 which in my opinion is a steal, keep your eye on ebay and as someone else said, buy from reputable dealers if possible

These 4 are my first silver bars ever, it's what kick-started everything. I originally bought 4, then came back the same day for 1 more. At the height of the silver craze 2011 I sold one of these for what I thought was a good price. Remember that you'll never be able to guess the top. Once it hit $40 I thought that was enough to take some profit and convert it into gold. I don't sell much because I don't need to. Beware, don't ever get attached to your metal because it's only that: metal. It's almost like the saying, "buy the coin not the holder", well it's the same with bullion. My bullion is ugly. I love cast bars - they have this texture that is very pleasing - that Monarch 10ozt bar is almost camouflage from its reflectiveness; I'd hate to lose that piece in a patch of tall grass.











That "coin" is from Bermuda, 5 ounces troy, 1992. The others are 10 ouncers. I put an Ike next to them for size comparison.

Libertad, the is for the pics. I think one of the reasons I'm going for a bar is so that if I ever DO want to sell some silver a bar would be an easier option and nice to have if that time comes. However, I do want some ATB 5 ozs added sometime to my collection. I just know that I'll pick ones of parks I actually have been to, then those will become too sentimental and very hard for me to sell. But, those will be numismatic purchases and ones I really want to keep for a long time.

I'm a big fan of the current ATB program and will be looking to add some of the 5 oz coins to my collection. I have personally visited a few of the national parks that are represented and look forward to picking them up one day, hopefully soon. However, I find them beautiful and wouldn't want to let them go for personal sentiment. They are something I will want to keep for a long time, even though they may be easier to sell a certified us mint product.

I went ahead and purchased a 5 oz JM bar. Engelhard was not available at the time. They seem to be selling out fast at the 5 oz weight. Anyway, I decided agaisn't the highland mint bar. I do find it to be attractive, but opted for the JM bar. As it is no longer minted at that weight since the 1980s, it seems to be a solid choice being recognizable and easy to sell with a certain accepted collectibility attached to it.

Thanks again for all the replies, I'll do my best to get up pictures when I have it!