How to detect fake:

Silver Bullion Bar

Verifying authenticity is undoubtedly the single most important aspect of investing in precious metals. Chinese manufacturer have produced counterfeit silver bars from a number of mints including Johnson-Matthey, Engelhard, Sunshine, NWT & Pan American. Below are a few ways to identify counterfeit silver bars.

First, try the magnet test. Pass a magnet over the bar and see if there is any attraction between the bar and magnet. If there is, it's fake.

Authentic silver bars will never be attracted by a magnet. Most counterfeit bars will not either but you need to check everything.

Next, check the width. Below is the width a bar should measure from each mint.

Engelhard or Johnson-Matthey

1oz - 1-1/8" or 28.9mm
5oz - 1-13/32" or 35.2mm
10oz - 2-1/16" or 51.8mm
100oz - 2-17/32" or 64mm

NWT or Pan American

1oz - 1-5/32" or 29mm
5oz - 1-3/8" or 35mm
10oz - 1-13/16" or 46mm

Sunshine Mint

1oz - 1-1/8" or 28.9mm
5oz - 1-13/32" or 35.2mm
10oz - 2-1/16" or 51.8mm

Next, check the height. Below is the height a bar should measure from each mint.

Engelhard or Johnson-Matthey

1oz - 1-31/32" or 50mm
5oz - 2-3/8" or 60mm
10oz - 3-1/2" or 89mm
100oz - 6-15/32" or 164mm

NWT or Pan American

1oz - 1-31/32" or 49.9mm
5oz - 2-3/8" or 60.4mm
10oz - 3-17/32" or 89.9mm

Sunshine Mint

1oz - 1-31/32" or 49.9mm
5oz - 2-3/8" or 60.4mm
10oz - 3-17/32" or 89.9mm

Next, check the thickness of the bar. Below is the thickness a bar should measure.

Engelhard or Johnson-Matthey

1oz - 3/32" or 2.54mm
5oz - 9/32" or 7.49mm
10oz - 9/32" or 6.99mm
100oz - 1-9/32" or 32.5mm

NWT or Pan American

1oz - 3/32" or 2.1mm
5oz - 9/32" or 7.3mm
10oz - 5/16" or 7.58mm

Sunshine Mint

1oz - 3/32" or 2.54mm
5oz - 9/32" or 7.49mm
10oz - 9/32" or 6.99mm