For a period in the early 1950's ingots that were sheared or cut from larger sheets of silver were available from the Mint Of The United States At San Francisco. No one is quite sure why these large plates existed or what they may have been produced for, but some 50 examples similar to those pictured are known to exist. The first example pictured is one of the largest on record and bears a Type III oval hallmark. The center example is of average size among those on record with a Type II oval hallmark. The final example is the smallest and also had a Type II oval hallmark.All San Francisco sheared plate ingots are rare and over the past few years have significantly increased in desirability and value. For more on sheared plate ingots and other government silver ingots, check out SILVERINGOTS.COMKen Conaway

Of the hundreds of United States Government silver ingots in my collection and all of the others that I have seen over the years, finding paperwork to document the delivery of scrap silver to the Mint, the invoice for assay and process and the bar delivery receipt for the same transaction is amazing. Then to put a number of ingots together that are listed on the bar delivery receipt is beyond amazing. I obtained the paperwork completely separate from any of the ingot acquisitions so this is a real prize in my collection. See more about these and other United States Government silver ingots at SILVERINGOTS.COMKen Conaway