Afternoon everyone….
We all do posts on all sorts of silver and or gold items here on this platform. Our community has shown off all different kinds of pieces. From their countries government minted coin, generic bars or rounds, unique art coins, to even silver cups and flatware.
I want to share a little history on silver refining. The largest silver refinery in the world through the better part of the 1900’s was a company named Engelhard. Founded by Charles Engelhard officially in 1902. Charles Engelhard immigrated to the US from Hanau as a platinum firm's sales representative. When his contract was over, he decided to pursue his own venture in refining.
His headquarters was in Newark, New Jersey just 22 miles from where I grew up. He built an empire in the refining business worldwide. He imported gold from South Africa, and China. Bought up chemical companies making him the largest company in the industry.
In 1947 his son Charles Jr. took over the business after concluding his primary education in Johannesburg, South Africa, and continued pursuing higher education in Christ Church, Oxford University, and Princeton University respectively.
The refined silver from all of the largest companies. Including Eastmann Kodak, who was the worldwide leader of all photographic film in the world.
They were a global icons in the industry, having refineries in four countries. The United States, Canada, England and Australia.
Today their vintage bars, silver ingots and rounds are highly sought after by all collectors and stackers.
While their main item was silver, they did produce a large amount of gold as well. Only a small portion of that gold was turned into bars or rounds for sale to the general public. Most of their gold was refined into vault bars bought by countries.
In 2006 the company was sold to BASF for 5 billion dollars. Mere pocket change…..
As a stacker or collector….
It is your duty as a stacker/collector!
Today I am going to share a piece from Engelhard that’s in my collection. It’s a 1985 one ounce silver Prospector round. These were only produced from 1982-1987.
Here is some more info on them:
Location United States
Type Bullion › Round
Years 1982-1987
Value 1 ounce of Silver
Composition Silver (.999)
Weight 31.24 g
Diameter 39.8 mm
Thickness 2.9 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Obverse
A man kneeling, facing left, while panning for precious metals in a waterway. Country to the left, year to the right, and the name of the series at the bottom.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
U.S.A. 1984
THE AMERICAN PROSPECTOR
Reverse
An eagle, facing left, with its wings open. a branch in its left claw and a U.S.A. flag near its right claw. The name of the mint on top and the weight, fineness, and metal on the bottom. The Engelhard 'Large E' logo appeared on the reverse from 1982 through 1984
Script: Latin
Lettering:
ENGELHARD
ONE TROY OUNCE 999 + FINE SILVER
Edge
Reeded
*** Now what you’ve been waiting for….***
