Zinc was one of the later additions to our bullion lineup. The metal is fairly hard and brittle with a quick tendency to crack under the stress of hammer blows. The usual solution for this problem is to heat the blanks prior to striking, which increases ductility. Zinc, however, has both a low melting point and becomes much more susceptible to chemical reactions when heated. Through experimentation our manufacturer eventually reached an acceptable prototype and then went to production nearly a year after our first ounce bars made their debut.

China (not a surprise) leads world production followed by Australia and Peru with the three being responsible for roughly half the 13 million tons refined annually. Zinc is found in many different minerals throughout the world. Nature’s bountiful abundance for this element spells trouble for markets which often struggle to find sufficient buyers leading to occasional gluts and market dumping. The problem is due neither to shortsightedness in demand projections nor simple greed but that zinc mining itself is generally too unprofitable. The recovery of trace metals, notably silver and gallium, end up paying the bills while palletfuls of zinc bars get warehoused until shortages lift up prices enough to make carting it out to the port a worthwhile endeavor.

Your bar of zinc is pretty much worthless, sorry to say. But it’s pretty to look at and will go well with the others in your collection!