1954 United States Assay Office at New York Silver Ingot. Round Dated Hallmark. No. 187. Lot M2. 45.94 Ounces. 999 Fine.49 mm x 91 mm x 30 mm (greatest dimensions). The front face has the circular hallmark at the top, FINE 999 at the bottom. Weight OZS. 45.94 on the right face, ingot number 187 on top face, lot number M2 on bottom face. All other faces are blank. A well cast piece of nearly uniform dimensions, typical casting imperfections are minor and not at all distracting. All faces are attractive bright silver. According to Ken Conaway on the excellent website silveringots.com</em>:"United States Assay Office New York 45 oz class ingots can be found from 1908 through 1957 and is actually the most common class listed on the United States Assay Office New York Registry. Thirty six of the fifty nine registry entries fall into this class but being the most common on the registry does not mean that they are not extremely rare. As with all United States Assay Office New York silver ingots, there appears to have been a higher level of care in their production, from casting to stamping...1949, 1952 and by far 1957 are the most common years, others are much more rare and only found in very limited number."</em>The author lists only five 1954-dated ingots from the 45-ounce class on his registry, not including the present example. A rare bidding opportunity for the specialist.
