Silver bars are a popular and common way to invest in silver bullion. Silver bars come in many different weights and sizes and are produced by numerous companies. Ten ounce silver bars are heavily sought after because they serve as an ideal middle ground between smaller investments (1 oz. and 5 oz.) and large investments (kilo and 100 oz. bars). Mints from around the world manufacture and distribute silver bars. The bars are stamped with unique images or logos. The most important considerations for silver bar collectors and investors are the weight and purity of the bar under consideration.

In 1916, the three silver denominations currently minted in the U.S. were given new designs. A public competition was held and the winner was Adolph Alexander Weinman. His monogram “AW” can be found to the right of Lady Liberty’s neck. Production of the first Mercury Dimes, or Winged Liberty Dimes, began in June 1916. The public thought the obverse image of Lady Liberty looked like the Roman god Mercury and that incorrect association remains the most common title for this coin series. The Mercury Head Dime series is one of the most popular in all of American numismatics.

Valcambi Suisse in Balerna, Switzerland created the CombiBars™, divisible silver bars that can be broken up into 100 individual pieces weighing 1 gram each. Each individual 1-gram bar features a 1-gram indication of its .999 purity as well as the Valcambi stamp. CombiBars™ were created in 2010 to make trading or selling silver easier with 100 grams of silver in a divisible format.

From the year 1878 until 1904, the U.S. Mint struck the popular and beautiful Morgan Silver Dollar. There were also some minted in 1921 as well.

Silver buyers today place the Morgan Silver Dollar as one of the most special of silver coins that the U.S. has ever produced, not only for their striking design but also their significance in history. George T. Morgan, the coins’ designer, gave the coin obverse a classical-looking Liberty head that was, in fact, the profile of Anna Willess Williams, an ordinary local American girl in Philadelphia.

If you were alive in the late 19th century, you would have recognized this silver dollar as the most common U.S. coin in circulation. This period was one of massive migration west as America spread its wings to the Pacific Ocean. A Morgan Silver Dollar was recognized value to everyone and welcomed everywhere from gambling tables to bank desks.

Morgan Silver Dollar coins can vary widely in year and condition, so we advise that you buy them from a recognized leader like Hartford Gold that can talk you through the options available.

We offer several examples of circulated silver half-dollar coins, including Walking Liberty, Kennedy and Franklin 50 cent pieces. Ask your Account Executive for more details about size and metal content on your specific interests.

KENNEDY SILVER HALF DOLLAR
First minted in 1964 by the U.S. Mint and designed by Gilroy Roberts, the Kennedy Silver Half Dollar coin is intended as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy and was authorized by Congress a month after his death. The original 1964 version was minted 90% silver, the 1965-70 versions were only 40% silver and the coins from 1971 contain no silver.

WALKING LIBERTY SILVER HALF DOLLAR
The exquisite Walking Liberty 50 cent piece is one of the most beautifully designed coins in U.S. history. Designed originally by noted sculptor Adolph A. Weinman in 1916, the model for the coin was Elsie Stevens, who also was the inspiration for the Mercury dime. Its predecessor was the Barber coinage: dimes, quarters and half dollars that had been designed by Charles E. Barber but deemed to be ready for replacement. A famous competition to design the coin was conducted by the Commission on Fine Arts, the brainchild of Mint Director Robert W. Woolley. Weinman was the winner, and the rest is history.

FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR
The Ben Franklin silver half-dollar pays homage to one of the great geniuses of the 18th century: Ben Franklin. The coin was struck from 1948 through 1963 and was stopped after the assassination of JFK, so the coin is relatively rare.

First minted in 1964 by the U.S. Mint and designed by Gilroy Roberts, the Kennedy Silver Half Dollar coin is intended as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy and was authorized by Congress a month after his death. The original 1964 version was minted 90% silver, the 1965-70 versions were only 40% silver and the coins from 1971 contain no silver.