Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 10/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: I CAN NOT FIND ANY INFORMATIOM ON THESE SILVER? COINS
WEIGHT 0.8 OZ AND 1 /1/2 IN. HOPE YOU CAN HELP
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME

IF YOU GET THIS TWICE I'M SORRY I WAS'NT SURE IT WENT THROUGH

ANSWER: Hi Teddi,
rather than coins, these are a group of silver bullion rounds. Such items are often made by banks or investment firms in order to secure their assets. Precious metal such as silver appreciates in value faster than money in the bank. It's the same reason our government keeps a ton of gold bars in Fort Knox. These pieces should have a stamp on them that would say either .999 or .925, depending it they are pure or sterling silver. Sometimes they are .900 coin silver, but that is less common for bullion rounds like this.
Some people collect them, especially the proof strikes lie yours (which have a mirror-like background and frosted looking features). Mostly the value lies in the silver, which is currently between $17 and $18 per ounce and rising.
These type of rounds are considered "investment grade" and people often treat them like stocks... buying when silver is low and selling when it's high.
Thanks for the question! =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: THEY IS NO SILVER MARK ON THEM BUT I DO KNOW THEY WERE BOUGHT IN JAPAN AND ALL WRITTING IS IN JAPANESE.HOW DO I TELL IF THERE .925 OR .999?
THANK FOR YOUR PROMPT HELP.
TEDDI

Answer
The silver stamp may also be on the edge rather than the flat surfaces of the front and back. If there is no stamp, the only reliable way is to have a local jeweler perform a chemical test. They usually charge $5 or so, but if you make it seem like you are interested in selling them... the dealer will usually test them for free, just for their own knowledge before making an offer.
It's also possible that they are silver plated base metal pieces, which are never stamped. They look like solid silver pieces in my opinion though.
Thanks again! =)