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First let me say that I don't have any 1,000 oz. bars of silver (or gold for that matter!)- the biggest one (silver) I have is 100 oz. That said, I am curious about how people would go about authenticating 1,000 oz. bars of silver. It seems to me like one of those tools by Sigma Metalytics would not be appropriate for authenticating something this large. The reason is because I don't think it would be capable of seeing beyond just the surface of the bar. It could have copper on the inside.

Think about places like the COMEX that have lots of 1,000 bars. I remember hearing something years ago about how Nigeria (I think it was them) had a bunch of gold held in their central bank (Im thinking it was something like $200 million) that proved to be fake. With the quality of fakes coming from China having the potential to look very very good, I'd think this would (quietly perhaps) be an area of concern.

Any thoughts on this?

A combination of XRF surface analysis to verify the surface is silver with basic xray to verify the composition is consistent through the interior would do it, and if you've got a large supply of 1000 oz bars, the cost of that test or equipment would be small relative to insurance, security, and other overhead costs.

Even though they are large, the ring test still works... they have the right pitch when you suspend it and give it a whack.

General X-ray will not expose anything different in the core. The density of the metal will block it.

I always thought they drilled them.

Market Harmony wrote:Even though they are large, the ring test still works... they have the right pitch when you suspend it and give it a whack.

General X-ray will not expose anything different in the core. The density of the metal will block it.

This is actually correct. The ring test is simple but effective because the bar will give a THUD sound If its not silver.

Keep it simple stupid is best, agree. Ring tests can actually be digitally automated also. But it is possible to image through reasonable thicknesses (small numbers of inches) of silver using industrial equipment.

Ring test + experience of knowing how the markings should look + provenance.

Plus if you are buying new material direct from a refinery via only one middleman wholesaler you effectively have no opportunity to mess it up.

Thanks for all the detailed info. It gives me more confidence that we aren't being duped by the Chinese fakes (at least in some areas).

Market Harmony wrote:Even though they are large, the ring test still works... they have the right pitch when you suspend it and give it a whack.

General X-ray will not expose anything different in the core. The density of the metal will block it.

I am curious about the ring test. Once you hoist the bars, what do you hit them with- a regular sized hammer or something else?

Recyclersteve wrote:

Market Harmony wrote:Even though they are large, the ring test still works... they have the right pitch when you suspend it and give it a whack.

General X-ray will not expose anything different in the core. The density of the metal will block it.

I am curious about the ring test. Once you hoist the bars, what do you hit them with- a regular sized hammer or something else?

They are sitting on a table and literally tape them with a ring on your finger. I am sure there are ok videos on youtube.

My understanding was that some dealers use Ultrasound for the interior of bars along with XRF to verify the surface?