Expert: Ronald Fern - 12/8/2009

Question
I have a 10 oz silver bar with sesquencentenial events depicted and the Texas star on one side as well as a 1 oz silver coin with the state of texas seal on one side and I want to say a special  sesquencentenial scene on the other side.  Can you tell me what these are worth?  Provide a source that might purchase as well as other info you might have on these items.  Is there a web address that talks about these items?  I'm thinking for the right potential buyer their value is more than melt value.  Thanks much.  Bob Beglau

Answer
Hi Bob:

Thanks for your question. I'm not familiar with your specific bar or silver round, but will provide you with information I was able to find on the Internet. I'm fairly sure 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. The bars can be made in 1, 5, and 10 troy ounces, but each size would require specific obverse and reverse dies.

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.

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 round is likely to be worth about $20 to $25 to an interested collector. The ten ounce bar would be worth in the $200 to $250 range.

There is one round similar to yours on Ebay for a starting bid of $19.95.
link: http://cgi.ebay.com/The-State-of-Texas-999-1-oz-silver-round_W0QQitemZ1503956041...

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...

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.