Athenian Owl 1 oz silver — 999 fineness
A one ounce silver coin at 999 fineness, issued by Niue with a two dollar face value. The reverse refers to the Athenian tetradrachm of some two and a half thousand years ago, and the edge is shaped so the coins stack without capsules.
Technical specification
| Specification |
Value |
| Weight |
31.1035 g |
| Fineness |
999 |
| Metal |
silver |
| Face value |
2 Niue dollars |
| Issuing country |
Niue |
| Diameter |
39 mm |
| Thickness |
2.3 mm |
| Production |
minted coin |
| Producer |
different manufacturers |
| Packaging |
sachet |
Owl, crescent and olive branch — the reverse
The reverse refers to the Athenian tetradrachm struck some two and a half thousand years ago — then the leading trade coin of the Aegean. The composition takes in an owl, a crescent moon and an olive branch, precisely the elements of the original.
The modern addition is a mirror finish on the owl's eyes against a matte field. In Athens the owl was an attribute of Athena and a symbol of wisdom.
Obverse and stacking edge
The obverse carries the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley with the two Niue dollar denomination. The edge is shaped so pieces stack without capsules — at 39 mm across and 2.3 mm thick that makes a compact column.
What to check before buying
Silver reacts with sulphur in the air and develops a patina over time — golden at first, later grey and blue-black. This does not affect the metal value, but on resale a piece with an even, untouched surface is valued above a blotchy one. The original packaging is therefore best left closed.
Store silver dry and away from rubber, wool and recycled cardboard, all of which release sulphur compounds. Do not clean the surface with silver polish or polishing cloths: they remove a thin layer of metal along with the patina.
VAT on silver
Silver falls outside the exemption that covers gold bullion in Poland under Article 122 of the VAT Act. The silver price includes 23 percent VAT — this applies to bars and bullion coins alike, and to platinum and palladium as well.
It is one reason silver has to move further than gold before a sale covers its cost. It is worth keeping in mind when comparing prices of the two metals.
Why GoldInvest24
We source silver only from LBMA-accredited producers and state mints, in the manufacturer's original packaging. Every shipment is insured and packed discreetly, with no markings indicating the contents. We also run a gold and silver buyback. Current quotes are on our silver price page.
Silver formats we stock
| Weight |
Product |
Fineness |
Production |
| 250 g |
Heraeus |
999.9 |
cast |
| 500 g |
Heraeus |
999.9 |
cast |
| 1 kg |
coin bar |
999 |
minted |
| 1 kg |
Fiji, Argor-Heraeus |
999.9 |
minted |
| 5 kg |
LBMA refiner |
999 |
cast |
| 1 oz (this item) |
Athenian Owl, Niue |
999 |
minted |
Frequently asked questions
Is VAT charged on silver?
Yes. Silver falls outside the exemption that applies in Poland to gold bullion under Article 122 of the VAT Act. The price includes 23 percent tax. The same applies to platinum and palladium.
How much fine silver does this item contain?
A fineness of 999 means that of 1000 parts of the alloy, 999 are pure silver. At 31.1035 g the metal content is effectively the same as the total weight.
How does a coin bar differ from an ordinary bar?
In shape, not at all; in legal status, entirely. A coin bar is issued by a state as a coin with a face value, so the issuer's guarantee stands alongside the refinery's.
Does patina reduce the value?
Not the metal value — weight and fineness are unchanged. It does affect the buyback price, since a piece with an even surface is valued above a blotchy one.
Do you buy silver back?
Yes, we buy back gold and silver. The buyback price follows the current metal quote, the condition of the surface and whether the maker's packaging is intact.