Significance of serial numbers on silver bars

I have been considering buying 10 oz silver bars. I like the idea that bars from Sunshine and the Royal Canadian Mint have security features. The RCM bars have serial numbers while the Sunshine bars have a "blank space" where a serial number would appear. Many other bars have no serial numbers. I searched the forum, but I could not arrive at a conclusive reason for serial numbers. From the photos of Sunshine bars that I have seen online, there is a "blank space" where I would expect to find a serial number. I suppose I could use the serial numbers to document my inventory. But for the Sunshine bars with the blank space, do owners stamp their own "custom" serial numbers on the bar?

 

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You could add your own serial number to the bar for security reasons. For instance a home burglary happens and you have added serial numbers to the bars. That would make it easier to document the bars and have pawn shops as well as coins shops and the police be on the look out for your specific bars. It would be hard to prove a bar was yours without a unique identifier that was documented prior to the theft.

 

Serial numbers can be good for a couple great reasons, first like currency low
serial numbers can and do bring premiums, especially on older no longer
Produced low production bars, additionally for security reasons it can be easily
Identified if it became missing for instance an insurance claim.

 

Wouldn't it be relatively easy to eliminate the serial number with a blow torch?

I don't know. I liken these serial numbers to the inserts used by TPG's for "First Strikes", "Early Releases" and "First Day of Issue". They don't mean much, but they can sell for a little more.

Chris

 

I would assume the numbers are mostly a tracking/inventory system for the maker.

 

The serial numbers on bullion really mean nothing but it's sure a great selling feature. Especially if you're the manufacturer.

 

Sort of like this one? I have 6 of them with consecutive numbers. When I got them I wondered if they really only have a maximum of a million of them and I got some of the last ones ever made. Somehow I doubt it.

 

I know it's unnerving at first, but large makers like A-Mark produce rounds and bars for mints all around the world. If you buy large bars from them the serial number area is left blank. They supply silver to the Canadian mint. They also provide silver in large orders to small producers, who may want a custom design on the bar and their own serial numbers.

The RCM produces their own bars with security ridges on the sides plus serial numbers.

Remember, when buying bullion bars, it should be expected that when reselling a dealer will want to acid test it anyway, so a serial number is only an extra security feature. If you buy from a reputable big dealer in the first place, I personally don't care about having a security number because I trust that it's valid and have resigned myself to knowing my future buyer will acid test it anyway.

 

oh yes, very easily but you could do that on just about anything ! cut, file , and
eliminate it completely however most of the time you will leave damage behind
and thats a clear indication its been tampered with.

 

Serial numbers on generic consumer bullion are not really worth anything. They are just a marketing tool to make buyers feel better about paying a little bit more for their metal. Serial numbers, holograms, and secret agent decoders don't really net you much on the resale.

 

When I was in high school (many decades ago) and started buying silver, I preferred the Engelhard bars over the rounds because the serial numbers made the bars appear more "impressive." If this was a marketing tactic, it caught me.

I was very surprised to see many old bars and rounds from the 1980's selling well over spot. I had no idea that old bullion had collector's value. As a diversion from my coin collecting, I recently buying silver bullion. Just to think that a few months ago, I wanted to trade these old rounds for ASE. The dealer wanted to exchange one 1 oz Engelhard or Johnson Matthey round or bar plus $2.00 for each ASE. Luckily, I hesitated.

 

Englehard Bars are highy collectable and have added value