Scottsdale Mint 'Long Cast' and 'Chunky' Bullion Poured Silver Bars
Coin/Bullion · Scottsdale Mint, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Founded in the late 1990s-early 2000s, it is one of the most prominent private mints globally, known for combining investment-grade purity with artistic, high-relief design and 'stacking' innovations.
Pattern: Scottsdale Cast Silver Bullion; includes the signature 20 oz 'Long Cast' bar and the 10 oz/100g 'Chunky' hand-poured variants.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
Scottsdale Mint, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Founded in the late 1990s-early 2000s, it is one of the most prominent private mints globally, known for combining investment-grade purity with artistic, high-relief design and 'stacking' innovations.
Material
Fine Silver (.999 purity). These are investment-grade bullion bars containing 99.9% pure silver with negligible base metal content. Weights visible include 20 Troy Ounces and unidentified smaller poured weights.
Dimensions
The featured bars are primarily 20 Troy Ounces (~622 grams). The 20 oz 'Long' bar is approximately 7.5 inches long, 1.25 inches wide, and 0.5 inches thick. Small 'Chunky' bars pictured are likely 100g or 10 oz variants.
Description
A collection of Scottsdale Mint poured silver bars featuring the iconic 'Long Cast' 20 oz variant. These bars are highly sought after by 'stackers' for their rugged, old-world aesthetic which contrasts with the clinical look of standard bank bullion. Each bar features a deep-struck lion crest and Gothic typography, giving the silver a medieval, authoritative appearance while maintaining high liquidity in the precious metals market.
Key Features
High-relief Lion Head logo; unique poured ripples (cooling lines); Gothic font branding; elongated 'kit-kat' shape of the 20 oz bars.
Material & Composition
Fine Silver (.999 purity). These are investment-grade bullion bars containing 99.9% pure silver with negligible base metal content. Weights visible include 20 Troy Ounces and unidentified smaller poured weights.
Finish & Decoration
Hand-poured cast finish with an antiqued/satin luster. The decoration features the Scottsdale Lion Head logo in high-relief, stamped 'Scottsdale' in Blackletter/Gothic font, and deep-struck weight and purity markings. The surfaces show 'cooling ripples' and 'pour lines' characteristic of molten metal cooling in a mold.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The prominent Scottsdale Mint Crowned Lion Lion Logo; purity stamp '999 FINE SILVER'; weight stamp '20 TROY OZ'. Some bars also feature serial numbers or the 'Wall Street Mint' logo (a subsidiary brand of Scottsdale Mint).
Construction Details
Hand-poured/Cast. Molten silver is poured into open graphite or steel molds. This results in rounded edges, varying surface textures, and a unique look for every bar, as opposed to modern 'extruded' or 'pressed' bullion which is uniform and machine-cut.
Functional Features
Investment vehicle and store of value. The long, slender dimensions of the 20 oz bars are designed for efficient stacking in safe deposit boxes or home safes.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - These are solid rectangular/oblong bullion bars without handles.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality hand-cast execution. Unlike cheap cast bars with 'pitted' surfaces, Scottsdale bars maintain a smooth, buttery texture with deep, clean stamps that indicate superior mold preparation and temperature control.
Authentication Indicators
Deep, crisp die strikes for the logo; characteristic rounded 'loaf' bottom from open molds; weight consistency to ±0.1 oz. Genuine Scottsdale bars have a specific 'heft' and sound (ping) consistent with high-purity silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA; Scottsdale, Arizona. Manufactured using traditional casting methods but refined to modern ISO 9001-2015 standards.
Era & Period
Modern Bullion Era (21st Century). These designs reflect a 'Neo-Industrial' aesthetic that mimics historical ingot casting but utilizes modern precision refining techniques.
Age Estimate
Contemporary (circa 2010s to present). The design of the 20 oz long bar is a staple modern product of the Scottsdale Mint.
Cultural Significance
Represents the modern 'Stacking' movement, where private individuals accumulate silver not just for numismatic value, but as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement.
Condition Notes
Excellent / Mint Bullion Condition. As cast products, 'flaws' like cooling ripples, toning, or minor milk spots are standard and do not detract from the silver value. No significant gouges or evidence of shaving/drilling.
Value Estimate
Spot price of silver plus a 'collector's premium' of $2.00 to $5.00 per ounce. A 20 oz Scottsdale bar typically retails for 10-15% over the raw silver commodity price.
Care & Maintenance
Minimal maintenance required. Bullion is often handled with bare hands by stackers, but to prevent 'toning' (darkening), store in a cool, dry place with anti-tarnish strips. Do not clean with abrasives as it may slightly alter the weight.
Similar Pieces
Engelhard 20 oz Poured Bars (highly collectible/vintage), Johnson Matthey Cast Bars, or Geiger Edelmetalle Security Line Bars (more industrial/square).
Interesting Facts
The Scottsdale 'Long Bar' is often nicknamed the 'Silver Kit-Kat Bar' by collectors due to its resemblance to the chocolate wafer. Scottsdale Mint also produces legal tender coinage for over 20 different foreign governments.