A Newly Discovered 1890 Ingot Shifts the Timeline of U.S. Government Silver Bar Production
A remarkable numismatic discovery has come to light: the earliest known dated United States government silver ingot, struck in 1890 at the U.S. Assay Office in New York City has showed up on the desk of VCD Auctions this week.
This ingot features the distinctive Type I, two-piece hallmark, now confirmed to have been in use from 1890 to 1909. This discovery pushes back the previously accepted start date of 1892, revising long-held assumptions about the hallmark’s period of use. The updated dating is supported both by the ingot itself and by earlier documented research conducted by Paul Franklin, son of renowned ingot expert Gerow Paul Franklin as well as Ken Conaway.
Weighing 6.86 troy ounces, the ingot bears serial number 6723 and lot number 686. Its .999 fine silver purity is consistent with the highest fineness standards maintained by the New York Assay Office during that period. The precise dating, serial numbering, and lot assignment align with the documented practices of the Assay Office, as referenced in historical records.
This 1890 ingot predates what was previously regarded as the earliest known dated government silver ingot: the 1892 U.S. Assay Office New York ingot No. 10, from the United States Government Silver Ingot Collection of Ken Conaway. Documentation for that piece notes that “irregularities of the obverse surface, along with some possible wear, have resulted in less than a full strike of the year,” requiring expert analysis to confirm its date. In contrast, the 1890 example offers clear, direct evidence and marks a significant adjustment to the timeline of New York Assay Office silver bar production.
The United States Assay Office of New York was established by the Act of March 3, 1853, and began operations at 30 Wall Street in 1854. According to 1900-era accounts, the facility specialized in “assaying, parting and refining crude bullion, coin, jewelry, old bars, and the precious metals.” Most of the work was performed for private individuals, making government-issued silver and gold ingots from this era exceedingly rare.
The ingot was consigned to VCD Auctions and was accompanied by a small card suggesting a provenance from the collection of Colonel Edward Howland Robinson Green, better known as Colonel E.H.R. Green. Although this attribution has not been verified with additional documentation, it remains plausible. Colonel Green maintained a residence in Lake Placid, New York, and was known for assembling one of the most extensive collections of coins, stamps, and other collectibles in American history.
This newly discovered ingot represents a major addition to the historical record of U.S. government silver ingot production and stands as a tangible artifact from America's financial past.
The ingot is scheduled to be auctioned on May 15, 2025, via VCD Auctions’ online bidding platform at BidNow.VegasCoinDealer.com.
Article by Charles Jonath
Addition Photographs of the bar:
