Silver Bar 23.17 troy ounces. Odd markings: UoU REF

I received the following question:

I don't know... sounds like an odd bar. Google was no help.

Any ideas?

I will see if I can get a pic.

Thanks,
Michael

 

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Assay time

It's going to have to be sampled ( drilled through in several places), then the drill cuttings are going to have to be assayed. I know this because I have 2 bars that total 36 oz and even though they are marked '.999' and 'BAGS' that is the answer I received upon trying to sell them.
Apparently, during the last silver 'crisis', a lot of silver was rendered into bar form by various individuals/outfits who may or may not have known what they were doing.
Good luck.

 

I think that's the correct answer. Just because a bar is stamped .999 doesn't mean it is. And I recall there were problems with the purity of some bars during the late 70s and early 80s. I also seem to recall that even some Engelhard bars were counterfeited.

 

If you can get a photo of the front, back, and one of the four sides; I may be able to help you.

I came across mention of this refinery a few years ago while working with an older annual report of the Director of the Mint.

Remind your client not to "clean" this bar and please don't drill any holes in it.

Feel free to PM me if you wish.