Over the last 21 years in the precious metals industry, there have been only a few refiner names that have survived all market cycles. One of them is Johnson Matthey. It’s the common first name for seasoned dealers and long-time stackers when they are asked where to begin with deals of silver bars – and it’s all about plain, practical facts – not marketing.
A Name Built on Decades, Not Marketing
Johnson Matthey’s origins are in London, dating back to 1817. It was originally a small assay and refining establishment for jewelers in the city to check the quality of gold and silver. It was to become in the following 200 years, one of the world’s most trusted refiners, providing metal to central banks, manufacturers and individual investors.
People don’t realize how important that history is. You can’t buy 200 years of trust with advertising. It gets it bar by bar, by getting the purity right each and every time and each generation of buyers. A Johnson Matthey bar is the outcome of that track record.
What Actually Makes These Bars Stand Out
The following attributes have kept Johnson Matthey at the top of the serious silver position stack for those looking for the best silver bullion.
Purity is guaranteed. They are struck from .999 fine silver and have the weight and fineness guaranteed by the assayer’s guarantee provided by the refiner. It’s this guarantee which enables a dealer from all around the world to take the bar without hesitation. Bars with other brands tend to be more closely monitored when resold – which is unlikely to be the case with Johnson Matthey.
The design is simple, and that’s the point. Elaborate engravings or commemorative themes were not used. Only hallmarks, weight and purity clearly stamped on the face. If a person is a serious stacker, then that is what it’s about. It indicates that the bar is more about the metal than the art.
Quality holds steady across batches. The consistency in weight tolerance and finish between bars of the same refinery made several years apart is outstanding. This level of consistency is difficult to attain on large scales, as most people may not realize.
Spreads tend to stay tight. The narrower the difference between the buying and selling price, the more frequently a Johnson Matthey bar will trade.The more popular the brand, the less the difference between the buying and selling price. That difference compounds over the long-term.
Why Recognition Matters More Than People Expect
Silver is a common mistake for new investors to make – they think it’s just silver, and the name on the bar is not that important. Ultimately, it’s recognition that matters when it comes to the rate at which metal can be converted back to cash.
A dealer doesn’t have to confirm or discount a trustworthy bar. In any country in the world, that trust can be built with Johnson Matthey. Sellers of obscure bars or bars with an unknown brand, often wait on testing and negotiation, while sellers of recognized silver bars generally complete a sale in minutes. It is real value and not just what appears on a spec sheet.
A Solid Foundation for a Silver Position
The advice remains the same, regardless of whether a person is purchasing their first ounce of silver or is increasing their investment in one that they’ve held onto for years, and that is to begin with a name that has a proven track record. Johnson Matthey Silver bars ticks those boxes: pedigree, consistency, ease of resale.
If you’re looking to get started, the silver bars offered at BOLD Precious Metals by Johnson Matthey are definitely worth considering. The level of detail you give, such as transparency of pricing (showing exactly what you are paying over spot before committing), is the sort that makes you a deal you should work with versus one you shouldn’t.
The Bottom Line
When dealers come and go over the years, and so do refiners and mints, the same principles should be followed: Buy quality coins, buy recognized coins, and buy from honest coin dealers who are clearly telling what they are offering for. That reputation is the old fashion way to get to the top of that list and if that is what you value in the stock, you should pay attention to Johnson Matthey. If you are looking at a wider array of silver bars, it’s also a good idea to do a comparison of the different refineries before making a decision.
