The 1700s were not a good time to be roaming the woods of Europe alone. Thousands of people were attacked by wolves, and many died. Often, especially when a lone person survived an attack, they embellished the story, describing a huge creature of terrifying proportion and ferocity that played into tales of man/wolf creatures going back to biblical times.

The Legend of the Silver Bullet

• Weapons against Werewolves and Monsters

  After an unknown entity killed upwards of 80 men, women, and children in a series of attacks in south-central France between 1764 and 1767, Louis XV sent successive unsuccessful hunting parties to track down the creature that became known as the Beast of Gévaudan. Later recountings of the ultimate demise of the Beast, shot and killed by a local hunter named Jean Chastel, suggested that he achieved the kill by using a silver bullet that had been blessed by a local priest. That was all that writers of Gothic horror stories needed to promote the idea that it took a silver bullet to kill a werewolf.

• The Lone Ranger’s Silver Bullets

  The silver bullet has a more benign legend associated with it, too. The masked lawman known as The Lone Ranger and his faithful companion Tonto brought justice to the Wild West while never revealing his true identity. Instead, he would leave a silver bullet behind as his calling card and proof he was the real deal. He chose silver bullets because the precious metal symbolized law, order, and justice and was a reminder that life, like silver, has value and should not be wasted.
  In an early episode of the Ranger series, he explains that he never shoots to kill, and indicates that he uses lead bullets in his gun. That’s just as well because in addition to being expensive, silver bullets, while usable, aren’t as accurate as lead ones, nor do they have as much penetrating power due to their lower mass than lead.

Silver Bullets for Halloween, Collecting and Conversation

Regardless of whether you want a few to fend off werewolves (they work on witches and some other monsters, too), to symbolize justice and the value of life, or just like having them because they look cool, The Great American Coin Company™ can help.

We’re pleased to offer beautiful replica Colt Automatic .45 caliber bullets made of one Troy ounce of .999 fine silver. They’re not live ammunition, but rather a full-size replica of a complete .45 cal. Colt ACP cartridge. They’re a novel way to collect bullion, great gift ideas, and a terrific way to start a conversation.

Silver bullets are just one of many novelty and collectible items offered by The Great American Coin Company. We also have a large selection of collectible U.S. coins and paper currency as well as currency from around the world. We will keep adding unique collectibles as they become available, so be sure to visit us frequently.