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Asahi Refining Mint

Asahi Refining is the child company of Japanese Asahi Holding and one of newest private mints on the market. Despite its recent establishment, Asahi Refinery is a prominent player in the global precious metals industry and widely-regarded for its high-quality bullion products.

While it may seem like the company sprung out of nowhere, it was actually born out of the closure of Johnson Matthey, one of the world’s best-known precious metals companies. After more than 160 years in the refining industry, Johnson Matthey sold its gold and silver refining facilities in the US and Canada to Asahi Refining in 2015.

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History of Asahi Refinery

The story of Asahi Refinery is a combination of its two histories: that of Johnson Matthey and Asahi Holdings.

About Johnson Matthey

The reason why Asahi Refinery was able to rise amongst the ranks so easily was that it absorbed the operations of the already well-established precious metals company, Johnson Matthey, that had been minting precious metals for more than 160 years.

Founded in 1817 in London, Johnson Matthey was a partnership between gold assayer Percival Norton Johnson and stockbroker George Matthey. The same year of its founding, the company was appointed as Official Assayer & Refiner to the Bank of England and went on to have a successful refining business that lasted nearly 200 years.

Johnson Matthey quickly gained worldwide prestige for its sterling reputation and history of excellence, making its products extremely valuable and sought-after by investors and collectors alike. The company's JM Silver Bars were especially popular before they were discontinued in the 1980s. Towards the end of its lifetime, the company decided to divest from the industry and pursued a seller that would continue its precious metals operations into the future. Enter Asahi Holdings, the parent company of Asahi Refinery.

About Asahi Holdings

Asahi Holdings was established in Tokyo in 1952. Its main businesses are in refining and distributing rare and precious metals, particularly platinum, silver, gold, and palladium, as well as the treatment and detoxification of industrial and hazardous wastes. In 2014, Asahi Holdings purchased Johnson Matthey’s holdings in gold and silver refining, though the deal was not made official until 2015. The sale led to Asahi Holdings taking control of Johnson Matthey’s refining facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States (Asahi SLC), and Brampton, Ontario, in Canada. A third facility, an investment casting services center in Canada’s St. Catharines, was also part of the deal.

About Asahi Refining Inc.

In 2015, Asahi Holdings began operating out of the Salt Lake and Brampton Facilities, combining the two under the operational name of Asahi Refining. The third facility in St. Catharines operates under the name Niagara Investment Castings.

The newly formed Asahi Refining Inc’s first bullion products to be struck were 100 oz silver bars. Many investors found these new bars to be extremely similar to Johnson Matthey’s previous bullion products. While it’s unknown if Asahi Refining used the same casts as Johnson Matthey, it was clear that both bars featured the same minimalist features, matte finishes, and rough edges.

Asahi Refinery bullion products

Investors who coveted Johnson Matthey's bullion bars are happy to note that Asahi Refining still produces many of the same silver, gold, and platinum bars that brought Johnson Matthey so much acclaim in the precious metals industry. Following the release of the initial 100 oz silver bars, Asahi Refinery went on to release numerous bullion products including a 1 kg Asahi silver bar as well as several bullion coins, including a silver Lunar coin series that features iconic animals from the Chinese zodiac.

Asahi Refinery silver bars

Asahi Refining's silver bars are made from 999 pure silver and feature a very simple design. The obverse of the bar features the Asahi Refining logo on the top with the mint's name printed in big, bold lettering. The bottom of the bar displays the typical LBMA necessities, including the bar's weight and purity. The reverse of the bar is left bare.

Asahi Refinery gold bars

Asahi Refining's gold bullion bar range includes cast and minted bars made from .9999 pure 24 karat gold. The cast bars are manufactured in various denominations, including 10 oz, 100 oz, 400 oz, and 1 kg. Minted gold bars by Asahi Refining feature the same design as cast gold bars, however the reverse displays a repeating pattern of the new Asahi Refining logo. Special minted bars feature intricate designs, such as the 1 oz Lunar Dragon gold bar and 1 oz Diwali bar.

Asahi Refinery bullion coins

Bullion coins produced by Asahi Refining include rounds, such as the 1 oz Buffalo Round, replica of the American Buffalo Coin, and the Liberty Bell Round. A special edition 2023 Merry Christmas round features a Christmas tree on the obverse of the coin.

Asahi Holding's bullion products are crafted with the same high standards and attention to detail as the Johnson Matthey bars that preceded them. Silver bullion bars from Asahi Refining are not deemed good delivery by the LBMA, however Asahi Refining is certified as an LBMA responsible gold compliant company and a good delivery refiner.

Asahi Refinery reputation

Asahi Refining is lucky to be one of the few new private mints to enjoy a solid reputation as a trusted and respected name in the precious metals market. Accredited by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and certified as good delivery by COMEX as well as the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM), Asahi Refinery adheres to high standards of quality and purity. The company is also committed to sustainability, protecting the natural environment and preserving resources wherever possible, which enhances its reputation amongst investors.

Buy bullion products from Asahi Refinery

Whether you’re looking to invest in bullion coins or bars, we only stock investment-grade products from the world’s most trusted and prestigious mints here at StoneX Bullion. As an affiliate member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), we’re known for our good trading practices and high-quality products.

Every bullion bar or coin we stock comes from the best-known mints in the world, allowing us to assure authenticity and integrity of our products. We also buy straight from producers so we can offer the most competitive prices available.

You can be sure to have the opportunity to make the most of your money with StoneX Bullion. Browse through our collection of high-quality gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars from esteemed mints like Asahi Refining and start growing your investments today.