Manufacturing Process
The manufacture of silver bars and coins at SilverCoin Artworks
A high-quality silver bar or minted silver coin is not created in a single production step. Rather, it is a precisely coordinated process of metallurgy, machine work, handcraft, and modern printing as well as laser technology.
At SilverCoin Artworks, everything begins with pure fine silver (.999) – and ends with a limited motif bar or an individually personalized coin. Below we present the entire manufacturing process in detail.
1. Melting Fine Silver – The Foundation
At the beginning stands pure fine silver with a purity of .999. The silver is processed in an industrial continuous casting plant. Two essential components are required for this process: a continuous casting machine and a powerful industrial cooler for temperature stabilization.
The fine silver is melted in a graphite crucible. Graphite is deliberately used because it withstands extremely high temperatures and does not introduce impurities into the precious metal. The ideal casting temperature is around 1050 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the silver has optimal flow properties to spread evenly and avoid air inclusions.
During the melting process, argon is used as a protective gas. Argon prevents oxidation and ensures particularly high purity of the material.
2. Continuous Casting – From Liquid Silver to Silver Strip
A mechanically controlled graphite rod, moved by compressed air, is located in the graphite crucible. As soon as the silver reaches the exactly defined temperature, the mechanism is activated. The liquid silver combines with a stainless steel band and is continuously conveyed out of the machine.
Two feed wheels create a uniform silver strand of pure fine silver. In parallel, a closed cooling system ensures controlled cooling to minimize stresses in the material.
3. Rolling Process – Precision in Material Thickness
The cast silver strand is passed over a precision roller to achieve the exact material thickness. The aim is to obtain a raw weight of around 31.1 grams per unit after subsequent stamping – the weight of a troy ounce.
Uniform material thickness is crucial for consistent quality, clean minting results, and exact weight distribution.
4. Stamping Blanks – 20 Tons of Precision
The rolled silver strip is processed in a 20-ton stamping machine. Blanks are created in two formats: coins with 50 mm diameter and bars with 54 x 36 mm.
This step gives the material its final basic shape. The mechanical pressure compacts the silver, which must then be relaxed again.
5. Annealing and Polishing
To reduce material stresses, the blanks are controllably annealed. Surface finishing then takes place in a polishing drum with stainless steel polishing balls and special polishing compound.
The result is a smooth, even surface – the perfect foundation for minting and subsequent finishing.
6. Minting – 300 Tons of Pressure
The prepared blanks are minted in a 300-ton minting press. Depending on the product, the appropriate minting die is used – for motif bars or personalized variants.
After minting, each unit is weighed to ensure it is within the permissible weight tolerance of a troy ounce.
7. UV Printing on Motif Bars
For colored motif bars, the print side is first primed. The motif is then applied with a professional UV printing system.
UV printing ensures brilliant colors, high detail resolution, and immediate curing. Finally, a transparent UV protective coating is applied that permanently seals the motif.
Our motif bars are limited to 5,000 pieces and are delivered in security blisters.
8. Personalization – Photo Printing and Laser Engraving
For personalized silver bars or coins, the desired photo is applied by UV printing after minting. The engraving is then applied on the reverse.
For this we use diode and fiber lasers, with which names, dates, or personal dedications can be permanently engraved. Each personalized unit is delivered in a coin capsule as well as a case including certificate.
Precious metal, technology and precision – our quality promise
From the first melting process to the final packaging, we control every single production step. Pure fine silver, modern continuous casting technology, precise minting processes, high-quality UV printing, and exact laser engraving form the foundation of our work.
At SilverCoin Artworks, no standard products are created, but precisely crafted precious metal pieces with artistic ambition. Our combination of metallurgy, technology, and design ensures that every 1 oz unit meets the highest standards both in terms of material and appearance.
