Gold bars - A safe investment

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. With 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 .

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.

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 audited 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).

Of the manufacturers from Austria, only the "Austrian Mint" has such certification from the LBMA. However, there are of course also bars of the renowned international manufacturers, such as from Switzerland(Argor Heraeus), Germany(C.Hafner) or Italy available in Austria.

Competent precious metal dealers, will specifically recommend Good Delivery Gold to you. 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, non-certified bars are even more common. Few dealers, especially those specialized in buying gold, also buy these bars. However, you have to accept higher discounts from the material value.