Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 11/19/2009

Question
Hello, I was wondering if you knew the age/origin/value of a 1 Troy Oz bar of silver. It is from the RCM, still in original packaging, doesn't look like it's ever been open. On the front it says "FINE SILVER 999+ ARGENT FIN" then there is a serial number on the bottom. I noticed that last week on eBay a similar piece sold for + $1700.00, was wondering if mine would be worth that as well? Or more seeing it's sealed in the original package?

Can provide image if requested. Thanks!


Answer
Hi Shira,
Your 1 ounce silver bar is from the Royal Canadian mint, likely from Quebec since it has both English and French writing. Such items are for silver bullion investment purposes, and do not have collectible value aside from that of the silver metal. Currently silver is upwards of $18 per ounce on the market, and that is what a 1 ounce bar will sell for.
The piece you say was a 100 ounce silver bar, which sold for $17 per ounce - a fair price for the metal.
There are bars, rounds and odd shaped pieces just like this and made by a variety of mints, including our own US mints. It would be a fairly new piece, certainly not more than 25 years old.
Thanks for the question! =)