Vintage Industrial Cast Fine Silver Ingots by Metaux Precieux (Metalor)
Coin/Bullion (Silver Ingot/Bar) · Metaux Precieux SA (now Metalor Technologies). Founded in 1852 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, the company is one of the world's most prestigious precious metal refineries and an LPPM (London Platinum and Palladium Market) Good Delivery refiner.
Pattern: Standard Industrial Cast Bar Series, recognized by its circular refiner's seal and hand-stamped serial numbers.
Type
Coin/Bullion (Silver Ingot/Bar)
Maker
Metaux Precieux SA (now Metalor Technologies). Founded in 1852 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, the company is one of the world's most prestigious precious metal refineries and an LPPM (London Platinum and Palladium Market) Good Delivery refiner.
Material
Fine Silver (.9999 purity). The bar is composed of 99.99% pure silver, often referred to as 'four-nines' fine silver, which is higher than the standard .999 bullion grade.
Dimensions
Estimated dimensions are 8cm x 4cm x 1.5cm. The user provided weight is 516 grams, which equates to approximately 16.58 troy ounces, closely matching the '16,666' stamp which indicates a weight of 16.666 troy ounces.
Description
This is a rare and heavy 'old pours' Swiss silver ingot. Unlike modern bullion, which is perfectly uniform and polished, this bar has a rugged, industrial character. Its deep grey patina suggests long-term storage, likely in a bank vault or safe. The '999,9' purity is exceptionally high for vintage bars, making it highly desirable for both silver stackers and numismatic collectors of vintage refinery bars.
Key Features
High purity stamp (99,99%), unique 'cooling ripples' on the strike side, hand-stamped vintage serial numbers, and the prestigious Neuchâtel refiner's mark.
Material & Composition
Fine Silver (.9999 purity). The bar is composed of 99.99% pure silver, often referred to as 'four-nines' fine silver, which is higher than the standard .999 bullion grade.
Finish & Decoration
Industrial cast finish. The surface exhibits a matte, dark grey oxidation (tarnish) with cooling lines and cooling ripples characteristic of molten silver poured into a mold. It features hand-stamped numerals and logos with recessed lettering.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The bar contains a circular refiner's mark for 'Metaux Precieux - Neuchâtel' (Paris/Swiss assay style), a fineness stamp of '999,9', a unique serial number '18435', and a weight stamp of '16,666' (likely referring to troy ounces).
Construction Details
Open-molded cast bar. The piece was created by pouring molten silver into a pre-heated graphite or iron mold. The rounded edges and irregular 'cooling wrinkles' on the top surface indicate a hand-poured industrial process.
Functional Features
Investment vehicle and industrial raw material. The primary function is the storage of wealth in a highly liquid, compact form. The chamfered edges are designed for safe handling and stacking.
Handle & Grip Details
None; as an industrial ingot, the bar is designed to be gripped by the body. The rounded corners prevent snagging during transport in heavy canvas bags.
Craftsmanship Details
The bar shows evidence of manual labor; the stamps are slightly misaligned, which is a hallmark of hand-punched vintage bars. The metal flow at the edges shows the high surface tension of high-purity silver during the cooling process.
Authentication Indicators
The depth and displacement of metal around the stamps are consistent with manual steel-punching. The weight provided (516g) matches the stamped weight of 16.6 troy ounces (approx 518g with allowable scale variance) almost perfectly.
Origin & Manufacturing
Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Manufactured at the Metaux Precieux refinery, adhering to strict Swiss banking and assay standards.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century (approx. 1960s-1980s). This style of cast bar preceded the modern machine-struck, laser-etched bullion bars common in today's market.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970-1985. The font of the punches and the use of the comma as a decimal separator are consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century European refinery practices.
Cultural Significance
Represents the era of Swiss banking dominance in the precious metals market. These bars were standard units for international trade and private wealth storage before the rise of government-minted bullion coins like the Silver Eagle.
Condition Notes
Very Good (Vintage). The bar shows significant surface scratches and a heavy layer of dark sulfide tarnish, which is preferred by collectors of 'Old Pour' bars as it proves age. No signs of drill-testing or shaving (material removal).
Value Estimate
Market spot price of silver + 15-25% collector premium. While standard silver is sold by weight, 'old pour' Swiss bars from defunct or rebranded refineries are sold as collectibles.
Care & Maintenance
For bullion of this type, DO NOT POLISH. In the vintage bar market, the original tarnish and patina add to the authentication and value. Store in a dry, acid-free environment. Handle with cotton gloves to prevent skin oils from causing 'milk spots' or uneven corrosion.
Similar Pieces
Vintage Engelhard cast bars, Johnson Matthey 'Hand Poured' bars, and early Credit Suisse ingots. These alternatives differ in stamp layout and origin but share the same 'old pour' collector market.
Interesting Facts
Metaux Precieux was the name of the refinery before it rebranded to 'Metalor' in 2001. Vintage bars with the older 'Metaux Precieux' stamp often carry a premium over spot price due to their rarity and the 'old smith' aesthetic.
Notes
516 grams