Lunar-themed silver usually arrives as coins, which makes this a useful alternative for stackers who prefer bars. Struck by Ohio Precious Metals for the 2012 Year of the Dragon, it holds 10 troy oz of .999 fine silver with a fully engraved design on both faces. Dragon-year issues carry the strongest collector following of the twelve zodiac animals, and this one is now well over a decade removed from its original release.
Key Features:
- Purity and Weight: 10 troy oz of .999 fine silver
- Metal Type: Silver, struck by OPM (Ohio Precious Metals)
- Obverse Design: Chinese dragon above the year, series name, and specifications
- Reverse Design: Repeating wave scale pattern across the full face
The obverse gives the dragon nearly two-thirds of the bar. The creature coils downward through the field in a long serpentine curve, head raised at the top with jaws open, whiskers and antlers trailing back. Its body is worked scale by scale, with fins running along the spine and four clawed limbs reaching outward, the lower one curling into a closed loop near the base. Below the figure, 2012 is stamped in large open numerals, with YEAR OF THE DRAGON beneath it. The specifications follow in smaller text: 10 OUNCES TROY and .999 SILVER, alongside the Chinese character for dragon at the lower right.
The reverse is covered edge to edge in a repeating arc and circle motif, a traditional East Asian wave or scale pattern rendered in concentric semicircles with a raised dot centered under each. The pattern runs unbroken across the entire face, giving the back of the bar visual interest that most blank-reverse bars lack, and it also helps mask minor handling marks.
The bar measures roughly 3 inches by 1.6 inches with rounded corners and a proof-like mirrored finish across both sides. Secondary market examples may show light toning, spotting, or handling marks consistent with age and storage.
Ten ounces of silver in a design that no longer comes off the presses. Add the 2012 OPM Year of the Dragon 10 oz Silver Bar to your cart today.