20oz Silver Bar

A 20 oz silver bar sits between the popular 10 oz bar and the 50 oz or 100 oz bars that larger buyers use. It holds twenty troy ounces (622.07 g) of .999 fine silver in one piece. This page compares what US dealers charge for a standard 20 oz silver bar right now, so you can see the cheapest offer and the premium over spot in one table.

What is a 20 oz silver bar?

A 20 oz silver bar is a poured or minted bar stamped with its weight, fineness and the refiner’s mark. It is a less common size than 10 oz or 100 oz, so fewer refiners make it. US dealers usually sell it in three ways:

• Design or mint of the dealer’s choice: the dealer ships whatever 20 oz bar is in stock, usually at the lowest premium.
• Generic bars: plain bars from private refiners, often with a simple logo and a serial number.
• Secondary market bars: bars bought back from other investors, sold as any mint and any condition. The silver content is the same, the look can vary.

Every version carries the same amount of fine silver. What changes is the finish, the brand and the premium you pay above the silver price.

Specifications

• Form: silver bar
• Weight: 20 troy ounces (622.07 g)
• Fineness: Ag .999
• Producer: varies by dealer (private refiners)

Who is the 20 oz bar for?

Why would you choose 20 oz instead of a more common size? It works well if you:

• want a lower premium per ounce than small bars and coins, but not the full outlay of a 100 oz bar,
• prefer fewer pieces to count and store than a stack of 1 oz units,
• plan to sell in parts later and want something smaller than a 50 oz or 100 oz bar.

If you want an even smaller unit, look at the 10 oz silver bar or the 5 oz silver bar. If the lowest cost per ounce matters most, compare the 100 oz silver bar. All sizes are listed in the silver bars category.

What to check before you buy

• Premium over spot: compare the full price with the value of the metal. You can follow the silver price on the silver price chart.
• Shipping and insurance: a 20 oz bar weighs more than a pound and a third, so check how the dealer charges for shipping and whether insurance is included.
• Payment method: many US dealers show a lower price for bank wire or check than for card payments. Make sure you compare the same payment method.
• Authenticity: buy from known dealers and check the weight and size on arrival. Our guide on how to spot fake coins and bars lists simple tests.
• Resale: bars from well known refiners are easier to sell back. Ask what the dealer pays when you sell, not only what it charges.

Tax on silver bars in the US

Is there sales tax on a silver bar? It depends on your state. Many states exempt bullion, others charge sales tax on part or all of a purchase, so check the rule where the bar is delivered.

When you sell, the IRS treats silver bullion as a collectible. A long-term gain on a collectible can be taxed at a higher maximum rate than a gain on stocks. Our guide to tax on gold and silver explains the rules in more detail. If you want to hold silver in a retirement account, read about IRA eligible gold and silver first.

20 oz silver bar or other sizes?

• 10 oz bar: more common, easier to sell in small parts, usually a slightly higher premium per ounce.
• 20 oz bar: fewer refiners, so fewer designs, but a middle ground on premium and size.
• 50 oz and 100 oz bars: the lowest premium per ounce, but a large single unit to sell later.
• Silver coins: higher premiums, a face value and wide recognition. See the cheapest silver coins if you are comparing bars and coins.

Not sure which suits you? Our article on silver bars vs coins compares both in detail.

Storing a 20 oz bar

A 20 oz bar is small enough for a home safe, but at this size many buyers think about insurance and secure storage. Read our guide to gold and silver storage for the main options, from home safes to bank boxes and vaults.