Today, we are going to finish up the “I” box with pictures of other notable refiners from this letter. Enjoy.
First up, we have The International Silver Exchange. This is the only one I have see like it, and very reminiscent of the 10 oz URI with similar pigtail characteristic. This is a really cool piece. I was able to find an example of an assay paper from this company that I will share below that shows the company operations in Provo, UT circa mid 1970’s.
Next up is a 5 oz class ICI which stands for International Coin Incorporated. I found some limited information on this company, which operated out of Minnesota in the early 1980s. I’ve only see this bar in 1 oz commercial art bar variety and the 5 oz pictured here.
Next is International Silver LTD Inc., which was spun out of International Silver Company, which operated from 1893 until 1983. The company had HQ location in Connecticut, but had affiliates across the US. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia.
‘In 1979 International Silver, Ltd. (Traded as “ISLOTC” on Vancouver Stock Exchange, and traded on the OTC market in the United States.) was created to bring the dormant International Silver Company back from a group of licenses, hallmarks and other assets into a trading company with buying centers for scrap precious metals in Cookeville, Tennessee, Waco, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada, a refinery operation was opened in Scottsdale, Arizona and mining purchase operations in Tucson, Arizona and Lake Tahoe, California. The firm also owned and operated a precious metals trading operation in Scottsdale, with a seat that took delivery of silver bullion and silver coin contracts off of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, The Mid America Commodity Exchange and COMEX in New York City.
Charles L. Long and Leslie D. Long were the Chairman and President of the new operation, while Larry Hovater was Secretary/Treasurer. At the height of the 1979/1980 silver boom where it traded above $50.00 per ounce, the firm was purchasing $2M a week in scrap, 1000 ounce delivery bars and contracts for 90% silver coins. The firm was also trading $1M to $5M per week in precious metals contracts, with delivery primarily in Chicago. The Floor Trader for these contracts was Long brother Larry E. Long.’
Here are a few seldom seen examples of other “I” ingots from Brian R’s collection. Thanks for sharing.
Close up shot of hallmark.
Really interesting piece.
Vintage Silver Bars 