US Silver Trade Unit Rounds

US Silver Trade Units, also known as silver rounds or silver art rounds, have a notable history and significance in international trade and collectibles.

The United States minted Trade Dollars from 1873 to 1885 specifically for international trade, aiming to compete with the dominant Spanish dollar in markets such as China and Asia. Nearly 36 million Trade Dollars were minted during this period.

To this day, international markets recognize non-legal US silver coinage as Trade Units, particularly renowned after the strategic meltdown of the 1981 silver stockpile in America, which resulted in the creation of one Troy ounce Silver Trade Units containing .999 pure silver.

These Trade Units often feature iconic designs such as the image of an Eagle resting on an Olive branch with the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST," and may include reverse designs depicting scales of justice or other patriotic symbols like the Bald Eagle in front of the American Flag, alongside the mark of the US Assay Office indicating they were minted in San Francisco.

Currently, numerous private mints across the USA uphold high standards in producing .999% pure silver rounds. Notable among these are APMEX (American Precious Metals Exchange), Sunshine Minting Inc., SilverTowne Mint, North Star Mint, Worldwide Mint, Ohio Precious Metals LLC, Engelhard, Bison Bullion, Alaska Mint, Scottsdale Mint, Johnson Matthey, Provident Metals, A-Mark Precious Metals, and Monarch.

In Europe, private mints like Heraeus Precious Metals, Geiger Silver Bar, Credit Suisse, PAMP Suisse, and Baird & Co UK also contribute to the production of fine silver rounds and bars, adding to the global diversity of collectible and investment-grade silver products.