Vintage - Johnson Matthey Second Gen Hammer Back - 1 Ozt .999 Fine Silver Bar
A highly recognizable vintage silver bar from one of the most important names in precious-metals refining.
The Johnson Matthey 1 oz Silver Bar represents a classic era of privately produced American bullion. Long before today's wide selection of investment bars and rounds, Johnson Matthey was one of the premier names associated with refining and assaying precious metals. Original JM bullion has since developed a strong following among collectors who appreciate its history as much as its silver content.
This particular bar is the desirable Second Generation "Hammer Back" variety, commonly cataloged by Johnson Matthey collectors as JM-2-5. It features the traditional Johnson Matthey presentation on the obverse and the distinctive repeating crossed-hammers pattern on the reverse.
The obverse prominently displays the JOHNSON MATTHEY name above ASSAYERS & REFINERS, accompanied by the classic crossed-hammers JM hallmark. Below are the inscriptions FINE SILVER 999 and 1 OUNCE TROY, clearly identifying the bar's purity and precious-metal weight. Each example also carries an individually stamped six-digit serial number, giving every bar its own identity.
Flip the bar over and you'll find the feature that gives this variety its nickname: rows of diagonal repeating JM crossed-hammers logos. This "Hammer Back" design is immediately recognizable to experienced vintage-bullion collectors and helps distinguish this generation from other Johnson Matthey one-ounce varieties.
These bars come from Johnson Matthey's historic bullion-producing era and should not be confused with modern products that may carry revived Johnson Matthey branding. Original serialized JM bars are finite pieces of bullion history, giving them a collectible component beyond the value of their silver alone.
Specifications
- Brand/Refiner: Johnson Matthey
- Variety: Second Generation "Hammer Back"
- Collector Reference: JM-2-5
- Metal: .999 Fine Silver
- Silver Weight: 1 Troy Ounce
- Pure Silver Content: Approximately 31.1 grams
- Type: Vintage Minted Silver Bar
- Serial Number: Individually Stamped Six-Digit Serial
- Obverse: Johnson Matthey – Assayers & Refiners / JM Crossed-Hammers Hallmark
- Reverse: Repeating Diagonal JM Crossed-Hammers Pattern
- Production Era: Vintage Johnson Matthey bullion production
- Status: Original discontinued Johnson Matthey issue
For the traditional stacker, it's an ounce of highly recognizable .999 fine silver. For the vintage-bullion collector, it's something more—a surviving piece from an era when names such as Johnson Matthey, Engelhard, and other major refiners helped define the private precious-metals market.
Please Note: You will receive one Johnson Matthey Second Generation Hammer Back 1 oz .999 Fine Silver Bar. Serial numbers will vary. These are genuine vintage bullion pieces and may exhibit toning, scratches, contact marks, edge marks, or other signs of storage and handling consistent with their age. Such characteristics are common with vintage bullion and are part of each bar's individual history.
Stack Sensibly. Collect Creatively!