Goldbarren ⁽⁶⁸⁾

The trade of gold bars

For private investors gold, as an investment in precious metals, is very interesting. Especially modern bars with a weight of only one gram, up to one kilogram are popular, whereby the production costs are greater for smaller bars (up to 20 grams).

You can buy a gold bar for just a few euros (1 gram). Tradable bars comply with certain standards. In addition to the individual serial number, some fine gold bars have other additional security features. For 1 ounce of gold (31.1 grams), however, the coin is preferred to the bar. The 1 ounce Vienna Philharmonic, for example, is a classic bullion coin made of gold.

Another advantage of tradable gold bars is the lower issue surcharge for larger bars compared to coins. Also, no value added tax has to be paid .

Gold bars - manufacturing

For small gold bars, blanks are punched from a gold sheet. Subsequently, the top and possibly also the bottom side is embossed. Minted bars from various manufacturers, including some gold bars from the Austrian Mint, are available as kinegrams. In this case, a kinegram is applied to the back of the bars as a security feature. For larger bars, manufacturers melt a precisely weighed amount of fine gold granules in a mold. The production costs of bars are lower than those of coins, which is why fine gold bars are usually cheaper than bullion coins.

Smaller gold bars between 1g up to 100g are usually issued as mint bars. Larger bars, usually from 250g, are produced as cast bars. Some manufacturers also produce 100g bars already as cast bars. These bars have the typical concentric solidification rings on the upper side and somewhat coarser surfaces on the sides and bottom.

Gold bar as a collectible

Rare and historic gold bars make the eyes of numismatists and bar collectors shine. High bids are regularly made at auctions for gold finds, for example from sunken ships. On the one hand, these collectible bars - most of which are unique - are very expensive, and on the other hand, it is often extremely difficult to determine their actual value.

When buying gold bars, look for good-delivery manufacturers!

To avoid any unpleasant surprises when you sell your silver and gold bars, be sure to purchase bars from a Good Delivery manufacturer.

In Austria, only the "Austrian Mint" distributes such products. But, of course, bars of the renowned international manufacturers, such as from Switzerland(Argor Heraeus), Germany(C.Hafner) or Italy are also available. Competent precious metal dealers, will specifically recommend you Good-Delivery Gold.

Reputable manufacturers whose gold bars are bought by almost all banks and precious metal dealers worldwide at reasonable prices can be found on the so-called "Good Delivery" list of the London Bullion Market Association(LBMA). These producers are regularly checked independently and are bought back by all banks worldwide. These manufacturers do not only exist in Europe, but worldwide (e.g. Perth Mint in Australia).

However, there are also bar manufacturers without the coveted "Good Delivery" license. These types of gold bars are minted or cast by various refiners themselves and, although they have the same fineness or quality as those from Good Delivery licensed manufacturers, are not purchased by most banks. In Austria and Germany, uncertified bars are even more common. Few dealers, mainly specialized in gold buying, also buy these bars. However, you have to accept higher discounts from the material value.