How do I know that the bullion in storage is genuine?

Sealed S.T.A.R. Bullion parcels containing silver bullion coins are held in mint sealed “monster boxes”. These boxes come either directly from the mints or through two of the largest North American bullion distributors. In either case, the origin of the coins can be traced back to the mint. Furthermore, the boxes will be weighed by the Vault Operator on arrival which is an implied density test. X-rays of the shipment will also be done as a security precaution upon entering the storage facility.  

Sealed S.T.A.R. Storage Parcels containing silver bullion bars are normally 100 troy ounce silver bars grouped in five (500 ounces in total). These bars come from the foundries in double sealed bullion bags and can be traced back to the foundry. In rare cases, if bars are not coming directly from the mint they would have undergone an assay by the primary distributor. Upon arrival, the bars are weighed and repackaged in groups of five (5) into sealed, tamper proof, transparent parcel bags by at least two vault operator officers under CCTV surveillance.

Thus genuinity is addressed by:

    •       Source - we only market the most liquid and established brand name bullion.

    •       Traceability - the bullion is arriving either directly from the mint / foundry or in rare cases, the bullion was bought back by dealers and re-assayed by our supplier.

    •       Weight check and thus implicit density check upon arrival.

    •       Audit by London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) approved auditors.

    •       We also do optional DUX Tests. (DUX Testing is mandatory for all transferred in bullion).

Furthermore, our primary suppliers will accept S.T.A.R. Storage bullion without the usual need for an assay.