Johnson Matthey Silver Bar Serial Number Lookup

Johnson Matthey company has a rich history originating in 1817. The company began when Percival Norton Johnson opened up shop in London ( In fact, the company dates back to the grandfather of Percival Norton Johnson, whose name is unknown). The company opened its doors as gold assayers.

Johnson met his match with the arrival of George Matthey. In 1852 George Matthey teamed with Johnson and their new joint venture gained the lofty status of the official Assayer and Refiner of the National Bank of England.

The Johnson Matthey London company began as an industrial metals refinery and became one of the most well-respected bullion manufacturers in the world from the 1960s onwards, they sold their precious metals refining operations to Asahi Holdings in 2015, stepping away from the production of silver bars.

Today, many silver stackers, collectors, and seasoned investors covet vintage Johnson Matthey silver bullion bars for their world-class quality and the mint’s global prestige. On the secondary market are available only a few JM products and are highly collectible.

As an expert in this field, I am impressed by the company’s progress and began to investigate the Johnson Matthey bullion history more deeply and find out many interesting facts.

For example, an interesting fact is about the Johnson Matthey logo. Although many know the JM cross hammer logo, few know about the secret that exists in some Johnson Matthey silver bars – a subtle holographic security mode.

This innovation acts as an additional layer of protection against counterfeiting, giving it a cool look. It also highlights the brand’s desire to be authentic.

In this article, I will try to share my expert skills in this field and help you learn about checking and verifying the serial numbers of a Johnson Matthey bullion bar to ensure its authenticity.

Johnson Matthey silver bar serial number lookup process

I think one of the most important things in verifying bullions, is looking at the serial number. I have had the opportunity to review many Johnson Matthey products and I want to tell you, in my opinion as an expert in the field, that they are indeed of high quality and I think they are worth the money.

With a solid commitment to quality control, Johnson Matthey manufactured high-quality silver bullion bars featuring unique serial numbers.

The placement of the serial numbers on Johnson Matthey bars varies depending on the series or edition of the bars. Here’s how to find the serial numbers on silver bars by Johnson Matthey:

• Check the bottom of the obverse: The front of the bar should display the serial numbers below the weight and purity.
• Examine the sides of the obverse: Some bars by Johnson Matthey, particularly the 1kg bars, have serial numbers vertically stamped or engraved on the front.

The obverse of Johnson Matthey bar generally shows the following details:

• JM crossed hammers logo
• Johnson Matthey Assayers & Refiners
• Metal type (fine silver)
• Purity (.999 fineness)
• Weight
• Serial numbers

J M silver bar serial numbers verification

If you are interested in acquiring silver bullion, I suggest you remember that the reverse typically shows a diagonal repeating JM logo pattern, a blank space, or other designs depending on the series/edition.

Examples of Johnson Matthey serial numbers classifications

The bars by Johnson Matthey are available in various weight options, from 1 oz and 10 to 50 oz and 1 kg silver bars.

Also, their company produced silver bullion bars under one troy ounce, which are usually rare. You should expect the value of these bars to be higher than the intrinsic value of the bullion due to their size and limited mintage.

Their serial numbers have no particular uniformity, although bars manufactured in the same batch feature similar series of numbers.

Types of Johnson Matthey serial numbers:

• 1 letter and 5 digits
• 1 letter and 6 digits
• 2 letters and 5 digits
• 4 to 6 digits

Here, I will show you several examples of the bars by Johnson Matthey numbers according to their weight classes:

Weight class	Description	Sample serial numbers	Estimated mintage
1 oz	Non-prefix numeric serial numbers spanning from 5 to 6 digits; alphanumeric with an R prefix	10197
292061
383289
470070
600285
R 07187
R 08149	Less than 1 million
10 oz	Non-prefix numeric serial numbers	090991
163408
210298
239841	Less than 725,000
50 oz	Alphanumeric with a C suffix	14248 C
16042 C
17704 C	Less than 3,000
100 oz	Alphanumeric with an A prefix	A022873
A022935
A030295	Less than 2,000
1 kg	Alphanumeric with JM prefix and an A suffix	JM 66436 A
JM 68598 A
JM 74200 A	Less than 500

Vintage silver bars by Johnson Matthey

Note: Some J M silver bars don’t have serial numbers, particularly newer, modern bars and those manufactured for industrial, non-retail purposes. The number indicates that a silver bar by Johnson Matthey is likely vintage. Experts verify authenticity by meticulously scrutinizing minute details, including bar dimensions and the JM insignia.

How to verify the serial numbers of a Johnson Matthey silver bar

In addition to keeping track of your inventory, identifying the serial numbers of your silver bars lets you trace their origins, assess their value, and combat counterfeiting.

• Use online silver bar serial numbers registry resources: Find online platforms with a compilation of verified serial numbers and extensive information about the silver bars by Johnson Matthey.
• Consult licensed precious metals professionals and silver bar enthusiasts to gain valuable knowledge about Johnson Matthey silver bullion serial numbers.

The Mystique of Johnson Matthey’s Vaulted Bars: Untold Stories Behind Locked Doors

Looking deeper into the world of Johnson Matthey’s silver bullion, I can tell you that some limited editions and prototypes have been secured away from the public eye. These locked vaults hold untold stories of bars that never made it to mass production, preserving the mystique of designs that remain hidden.

Revealing these secrets shows the countless attempts in design, which shows the constant desire for development and innovative trends.

Green Refinement: Johnson Matthey’s Eco-Friendly Legacy

Johnson Matthey is commonly known in the bullion market for their precious metals rounds and bars. Beyond the refining of precious metals, Johnson Matthey has always prioritized ecology and environmental protection, therefore choosing environmentally friendly refining methods.

The company’s success in green refining has set a standard for responsible practices in the bullion industry. This green approach has become part of Johnson Matthey’s legacy of innovation.

Frequent Asked Questions

Final thoughts

With an exemplary history and a prestigious name, Johnson Matthey continues to be a trusted brand in the global bullion market.

Have a qualified expert verify the authenticity of your silver bars if you want to ensure your hard assets are truly worth their value.

To continue your investment journey, read our helpful review of the best 10 oz silver bars for your growing bullion collection.