50oz Silver Bar

A 50 oz silver bar holds fifty troy ounces (1,555.17 g) of .999 fine silver. It is one of the larger bar sizes that private buyers in the US stock, between the 20 oz bar and the 100 oz bar. On this page you can compare what US dealers charge for a standard 50 oz silver bar right now and see the premium over the silver price.

What is a 50 oz silver bar?

Most 50 oz bars are poured (cast) bars with a rough, hand-made look. Some refiners also make minted 50 oz bars with a smooth face. Dealers in the US sell them in a few forms:

• Design of the dealer’s choice: the dealer ships the 50 oz bar it has in stock, usually at the lowest premium.
• Generic poured bars: plain cast bars from private refiners with a stamp showing weight, fineness and often a serial number.
• Branded bars: bars from named refiners, sometimes with a decorative design on the face.

The amount of silver is the same in every version. The brand, finish and premium are what differ.

Specifications

• Form: silver bar
• Weight: 50 troy ounces (1,555.17 g)
• Fineness: Ag .999
• Producer: varies by dealer (private refiners)

Who is the 50 oz bar for?

Do you want a low premium per ounce but find a 100 oz bar too big? A 50 oz bar suits buyers who:

• buy silver in larger amounts and care most about the cost per ounce,
• want fewer pieces to store than with 1 oz or 10 oz units,
• prefer to keep the option of selling half the amount of a 100 oz bar at a time.

For smaller units, compare the 10 oz silver bar or the 5 oz silver bar. For the largest standard size, see the 100 oz silver bar. All sizes are in the silver bars category.

What to check before you buy

• Premium over spot: on a large bar the premium per ounce is lower, but small price differences add up. Follow the metal on the silver price chart and compare the full price.
• Payment method: US dealers often list a lower price for bank wire or check than for card or PayPal. Compare offers on the same basis.
• Shipping and insurance: a 50 oz bar weighs well over three pounds. Check shipping costs, insurance and whether a signature is needed on delivery.
• Authenticity: check the weight, the size and the stamp when the bar arrives. Our guide on how to spot fake coins and bars lists simple tests you can do at home.
• Resale: a large single bar can take longer to sell. Ask dealers what they pay for 50 oz bars before you buy.

Tax on silver bars in the US

Will you pay sales tax? That depends on the state where the bar is delivered. Many states exempt bullion, some tax it, and some only exempt purchases above a set size, so check your state’s rule.

The IRS treats silver bullion as a collectible, and 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 covers the details. If you plan to buy for a retirement account, read about IRA eligible gold and silver first.

50 oz silver bar or other sizes?

• 20 oz bar: a smaller step, easier to sell in parts, usually a slightly higher premium per ounce.
• 50 oz bar: a middle ground between flexibility and a low premium.
• 100 oz bar: often the lowest premium per ounce, but one large unit to sell later.
• Silver coins: higher premiums, a face value and wide recognition. See the cheapest silver coins if you want to compare.

Still deciding between bars and coins? Read our article on silver bars vs coins.

Storing a 50 oz bar

A single 50 oz bar holds a lot of value in a small space. Think about insurance and secure storage before it arrives. Our guide to gold and silver storage compares home safes, bank boxes and private vaults.