One of the most iconic counter stamps displayed on Engelhard ingots is no other then UNITED. United Refining and Smelting of Franklin Park, Illinois. Established in 1950 they served as a full service and secondary refiner of precious metals. They were aquired by Diversified Industries Inc in 1968. Then merged with Sims Recycling Solutions in 2007.
It is believed Engelhard produced these ingots in a 3oz, 5oz, and 10oz class. During production they applied the weight class, purity, and serial number. There is an estimated mintage of 100-200 per weight class. United Refining and Smelting applied their hallmark stamping post production. The president of UNITED at that time was Al Payne. He was responsible for producing these ingots from Engelhard.
I would like to thank http://allengelhard.com for the amazing content they offer on this subject. The research and time they have put in is second to none.
There are a few interesting pics I want to share of the ONLY United silver ingots I own. The photo below is of a 5oz UNITED Engelhard silver ingot:
** Estimated Mintage <100**
4th series in UNITED Refining variation
** Ingot #08239 sold on February 18, 2017 for $2500.00**
A couple years ago, I came across a piece that had a striking resemblance to the rare Engelhard UNITED. In the begining of this article I mentioned how Engelhard handled all the production work except stamping the hallmark. Well that is exactly what I found!! See the photo below:
4th Series variation Engelhard production
** Estimated Mintage <50**
** Three KNOWN examples**
This Engelhard ingot is believed have been produced for United. IT JUST NEVER RECEIVED A HALLMARK. As you can see right away the landscape is exact. The serial range on each bar is very close. Indicating the same production run. The photos below are side by side comparison photos.
👆 A great photo that shows an identical landscape. Serial number range.
👆 It is evident here the same mold was used. As the demensions are also exact.
👆The nail in the coffin for me! The pour style on the reverse side demonstrates the same style and size indentations.
IT'S A MATCH
There is a small twist that remains a mystery. The "blank UNITED" example I own has a freemason counter stamp on the reverse side. This is the only one out of the three to carry that stamp. Photos shown below:
Freemason stamp which looks to be stamped post production. That has not been confirmed.
In conclusion, I would classify the "blank" ingot as a prototype produced by Engelhard for United Refining and Smelting Inc. It's amazing how steady documentation and research can yield this kind of discovery. These are the intriguing factors that hold me hostage to the vintage silver market. A "blank" UNITED 5oz is yet to test the open market. If I were to put a price on it today. I would confidently say $3,000+.
If you enjoyed this article please RESTEEM UPVOTE and FOLLOW!
Follow me on Instagram: collectbulliondotcom
@silveringots is going to change his STEEMIT name to @illuminatiingots......
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@stokjockey 😅👊
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Man, those are nice! And unlike some older pours that have weak strikes, the markings on these are clear. They're in great shape and it seems like they were poured well. What causes the little holes in the back? Is that because there wasn't enough heat when they were poured?
Also, what would cause them to stamp everything else, but forget the "United"? Seems like someone should have caught that. :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Just saw this comment @manwithnoname. Great questions. Yes, those little holes or indentations are heat related. My assumption on the blank ingot. UNITED ordered let's say 200 from Engelhard and only stamped 175 with the UNITED hallmark. Leaving 25 left over blanks. OR these were a 'prototype' example Engelhard used as an example to show United Refining and Smelting what they would receieve. OR whoever was stamping UNITED on the bar's that day got drunk and forgot to stamp this one. .
That's why this is fun. Fill in the pieces to the puzzle brother. 🤙
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I like this explanation! Let's say it was this one.
Yeah, it's fun to try and figure out what happened that would have caused them to do something differently. It adds value because it makes the bar unique. Where did you get it? (Unless that's a trade secret)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
You have a minor misspelling in the following sentence:
It should be beginning instead of begining.Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you for your continued support of SteemSilverGold
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Another day, another lesson. Thanks.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for stopping by @ronaldoavelino ✌
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by collectcryptodotcom from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows. Please find us at the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you would like to delegate to the Minnow Support Project you can do so by clicking on the following links: 50SP, 100SP, 250SP, 500SP, 1000SP, 5000SP.
Be sure to leave at least 50SP undelegated on your account.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit