5 oz Northwest Territorial Mint Silver Bar

Legacy Silver from a Closed American Mint

The 5 oz Northwest Territorial Mint (NWTM) silver bar contains 155.52 grams of .999 fine silver. NWTM was a private mint based in Federal Way, Washington, that operated from 1984 until its closure around 2016. The company produced a wide range of silver and gold bars during its three decades of operation, and these pieces now circulate exclusively on the secondary market. No new NWTM bars are being produced.

NWTM bars were sold through major US dealers during the mint's active years and developed a loyal following among American silver stackers. The bars feature a straightforward design with clear weight and purity markings, consistent with the utilitarian approach that defined NWTM's product line. These are investment-grade bullion bars, not themed collectibles.

Because NWTM is no longer operating, these bars trade purely on their silver content and the residual brand recognition among experienced collectors. They do not command significant premiums above generic bars of equivalent weight and purity. For buyers encountering this bar on the secondary market, it represents standard .999 silver from a formerly reputable US private mint. The main alternatives at this weight include bars from active manufacturers like PAMP Suisse, Scottsdale Mint, and the Royal Canadian Mint, all of which benefit from ongoing production and active brand support.

Northwest Territorial Mint 5 oz Bar Specifications

NWTM produced bars in standard bullion weights (1 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, 100 oz) with consistent .999 purity across the range. The 5 oz bar carries stamped markings showing the mint name, weight, and purity. Serial numbers were used on some NWTM products but not universally across all production runs. Dimensions are not standardised in published references, as NWTM produced both cast and minted formats over its operating history.

Tax Treatment for Northwest Territorial Mint Silver

The 5 oz NWTM bar receives identical tax treatment to any other .999 fine silver bar. The fact that the mint is now closed has no impact on tax classification; the metal content and purity are what matter for tax purposes.

• United States: No federal sales tax. State exemptions vary by jurisdiction; most states exempt investment bullion from sales tax. Capital gains taxed at the 28% collectibles rate (long-term). Secondary market silver bars of .999+ purity generally qualify for Precious Metals IRA accounts, though IRA custodians may require the bar to be from a recognised refiner or mint.
• United Kingdom: 20% VAT applies on purchase. No CGT exemption (not legal tender). Silver bars are among the least tax-efficient precious metals investments for UK buyers.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt at .999+ purity.
• Australia: GST-free for investment-grade silver at .999+ purity.
• New Zealand: GST-exempt for silver at .999+ purity in bar form.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the IPM scheme for .999+ silver bars.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no duties, no capital gains tax.

A practical note for IRA eligibility: since NWTM is no longer operating and was not LBMA-accredited, some US custodians may not accept these bars for IRA accounts. Buyers seeking IRA-eligible 5 oz silver bars should consider products from currently accredited refiners.