Gold bars - A safe investment

Gold is a very interesting investment in precious metals for private investors. Modern bars weighing between just one gram and one kilogram are particularly popular, although the production costs for smaller bars (up to 20 grams) are higher.

You can buy a gold bar for just a few euros (1 gram). Marketable bars meet 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 premium for larger bars compared to coins. Also, no value added tax has to be paid.

Look out for good delivery manufacturers when buying gold bars!

To avoid any unpleasant surprises when selling your silver and gold bars, you should make sure that you buy 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 London Bullion Market Association's(LBMA) "Good Delivery" list. These manufacturers are regularly inspected by an independent body and are repurchased by all banks worldwide. These manufacturers exist not only 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, bars from renowned international manufacturers, such as those from Switzerland(Argor Heraeus), Germany(C.Hafner) or Italy, are of course also available in Austria.

Competent precious metal dealers will specifically recommend Good Delivery Gold. However, there are also bar manufacturers without the coveted "Good Delivery" license. These types of gold bars are minted or cast by various refineries themselves and, although they have the same fineness or quality as those from manufacturers with a Good Delivery license, are not purchased by most banks.

In Austria and Germany, non-certified bars are even more common. A few dealers, especially those specializing in gold purchases, also buy these bars. However, you will have to accept higher discounts on the material value.