Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Silver art bars

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Expert: - 12/7/2009


Question
I have a 50 state set of art bars in a case that have never been touched. On the back of the bars it is inscribed .999FS HM74P it has a highly polished gold finish and each bar is 1 troy oz. I know this is not a coin and wonder if you would have any idea of the value or know where I can get this help?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Al:

This is one of the countless silver bullion pieces produced.

They are made in rounds and rectangles (bars) then sold to the public at a premium over the spot market. Many are Proof Condition, all are 99.9% pure silver.

Some are made using coin designs like tractors, presidents, company logos etc. They are categorized as Silver Art Bars (or rounds). Some rare metallic art sell at a higher price but most are produced in the millions. On your set, I believe the HM74P stands for Hamilton Mint, 1974, Plated(Gold).

These items trade regularly at or sightly over the bullion value. Scarce to rare pieces may bring up to double the melt value, but most trade right around it, plus or minus a few dollars. At the current rate of silver, your bars are likely worth about $20 to $25 a piece to an interested collector.

There is one set like yours on Ebay without a case for Buy Now at $1797. Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/HAMILTON-MINT-50-STATES-GOLD/SILVER-ART-BAR-SET-.999_W0QQite...

You may also want to check out these links on silver bars and rounds:
http://www.rivercitycoins.com/silverrounds/celebrity/celebrityrounds.html
http://bullion.nwtmint.com/silver.php

For more information see Franklin Mint Silver Bullion Coin Sets Buy/Sell Guide: http://reviews.ebay.com/Franklin-Mint-Silver-Bullion-Coin-Sets-Buy-Sell-Guide_W0...

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.  

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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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