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Gold bar
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<h2 id="types">Types</h2> <p>Gold bars are classified based on their production process into <a href="/facts/Casting_(metalworking)/7mMSBWTs">cast</a> or <a href="/facts/Mint_(facility)/PK30bY3m">minted</a> forms, each differing in their appearance and market value.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_bar#endnote_1">[1]</a> Cast bars, similar to <a href="/facts/Ingot/j7kzdag2">ingots</a>, are formed by pouring molten gold into a mold shaped like a bar, then allowing it to cool and solidify. This method often results in bars with irregular shapes and uneven surfaces, granting each bar a unique identity and making them easily recognizable. Due to their relatively simple production process and minimal handling, cast bars are generally less expensive than their minted counterparts. </p><p>Minted bars are made from gold blanks, which are precisely cut from a flat gold sheet to achieve the desired dimensions. These bars are characterized by their smooth and uniform surfaces, reflecting a more refined and labor-intensive manufacturing process. </p> <h2 id="security-features">Security features</h2> <p>Manufacturers have developed measures to ensure the authenticity of gold bars and to protect them against <a href="/facts/Counterfeiting/MaYRLckY">counterfeiting</a> or theft. The most prevalent method involves marking bars with unique registered <a href="/facts/Serial_number/2XUENAvJ">serial numbers</a> or issuing a <a href="/facts/Certificate_of_authenticity/HXNorHf9">certificate of authenticity</a>. Some refineries emboss even the smallest bars with serial numbers, which should correspond with the numbers on their associated certificates.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p><p> In contrast to cast bars, which may be handled directly, minted bars are typically enclosed in protective packaging or equipped with <a href="/facts/Tamper-evident_technology/VICY21Pt">tamper-evident technology</a> to deter tampering and prevent damage. Additionally, a security feature known as a Kinegram, a type of hologram, can be embossed directly onto a gold bar. Bars containing this feature are referred to as <a href="/facts/Kinebar/23U0rxR4">Kinebars</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> <h2 id="standard-bar-weight-units">Standard bar weight units</h2> <p>Gold is measured in <a href="/facts/Troy_ounce/UCv9PJ5j">troy ounces</a>, often simply referred to as ounces when the reference to gold is evident. One troy ounce is equivalent to 31.1034768 grams. The troy ounce is heavier than the <a href="/facts/Avoirdupois/0R7uruYE">avoirdupois ounce</a>, a commonly used unit for measuring weight in the <a href="/facts/United_States_customary_system/s76n3Bx4">United States customary system</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p><p>The standard gold bar held and traded internationally by central banks and <a href="/facts/Bullion/qzeJXQB1">bullion</a> dealers is the <i><a href="/facts/Good_Delivery/9I8GuaBb">Good Delivery</a></i> bar with a 400 <a href="/facts/Troy_ounce/UCv9PJ5j">ozt</a> (12.4 kg; 27.4 lb) nominal weight. However, its precise gold content is permitted to vary between 350 ozt (10.9 kg; 24.0 lb) and 430 ozt (13.4 kg; 29.5 lb). The minimum purity required is 995 ‰ gold. These bars must be stored in recognized and secure gold <a href="/facts/Bullion/qzeJXQB1">bullion</a> vaults to maintain their quality status of Good Delivery. The recorded <a href="/facts/Provenance/sxcgEXTH">provenance</a> of this bar assures integrity and maximum resale value.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p> <ul><li>One tonne = 1,000 kilograms = 32,150.746 troy ounces.</li> <li>One kilogram = 1,000 grams = 32.15074656 troy ounces.</li> <li>One <a href="/facts/Tola_(unit)/cA3tFSTr">tola</a> = 11.6638038 grams = 0.375 troy ounces.</li> <li>One <a href="/facts/Tael/yCITQPMM">tael</a> = 50 grams.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a></li></ul> <h2 id="manufacturers">Manufacturers</h2> <table><tbody><tr><th rowspan="3">Manufacturer</th><th colspan="26">Bar sizes</th></tr><tr><th colspan="11">Grams</th><th colspan="9">Ounces</th><th>Taels</th><th colspan="5">Tolas</th></tr><tr><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>2.5</th><th>5</th><th>10</th><th>20</th><th>50</th><th>100</th><th>250</th><th>500</th><th>1,000</th><th>1⁄10</th><th>1⁄4</th><th>1⁄2</th><th>1</th><th>2.5</th><th>5</th><th>10</th><th>100</th><th>400</th><th>1</th><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>5</th><th>10</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Baird_%26_Co/TLFFj7o6">Baird & Co</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Emirates_Gold/54oJe6wr">Emirates Gold</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Heraeus/4DVrV5WN">Heraeus</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/M%C3%A9taux_Pr%C3%A9cieux_SA_M%C3%A9talor/fLdPYzuK">Metalor</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/PAMP_(company)/DGCouRRr">PAMP</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Perth_Mint/lUDdLnjn">Perth Mint</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Royal_Canadian_Mint/ov1yjnzy">Royal Canadian Mint</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Royal_Mint/GF1D247S">Royal Mint</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Umicore/QlSlLC0H">Umicore</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Valcambi/t0VSmvTI">Valcambi</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/UBS/9PQLzBq3">UBS</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Y</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="largest-gold-bar">Largest gold bar</h2> <p>The largest bar of gold weighed 300.12 kg (661 lb 10 oz) and was made by Emirates Minting Factory LLC (UAE), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 10 November 2024. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Bullion/qzeJXQB1">Bullion</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Dor%C3%A9_bar/tjnULXPV">Doré bar</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Gold_as_an_investment/RscUXQSI">Gold as an investment</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Gold_coin/XSs1ybUj">Gold coin</a></li></ul> <h2 id="explanatory-notes">Explanatory notes</h2> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li> Media related to Gold ingots at Wikimedia Commons</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"US and European Gold Trading". <a href="https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/comex-and-ice-gold-vault-reports-both-overstate-eligible-gold-inventory/" target="_blank">https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/comex-and-ice-gold-vault-reports-both-overstate-eligible-gold-inventory/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"What is a gold bar?". Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100619042515/http://goldprice.org/buying-gold/2006/06/what-is-gold-bar.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20100619042515/http://goldprice.org/buying-gold/2006/06/what-is-gold-bar.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Frequently Asked Questions". PAMP. Retrieved 24 April 2019. <a href="https://www.pamp.com/faq" target="_blank">https://www.pamp.com/faq</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"KINEBARS®" (PDF). Gold Bars Worldwide. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2017. <a href="https://www.goldbarsworldwide.com/PDF/NBA_79_Kinebars_Gold.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.goldbarsworldwide.com/PDF/NBA_79_Kinebars_Gold.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Rothans, John (24 June 2022). "What Is a Troy Ounce?". U.S. Money Reserve. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024. A troy ounce is 31.1034768 grams, ... The avoirdupois system is still used only in the United States. Here it ... is also used as the basic unit of measurement for all weights, ... A troy ounce is heavier than a standard U.S. (avoirdupois) ounce. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241107173717/https://www.usmoneyreserve.com/news/executive-insights/what-is-a-troy-ounce/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20241107173717/https://www.usmoneyreserve.com/news/executive-insights/what-is-a-troy-ounce/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Full List of Official Good Delivery Rules". lbma.org. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120330102927/http://www.lbma.org.uk/pages/index.cfm?page_id=28&title=good_delivery_rules" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120330102927/http://www.lbma.org.uk/pages/index.cfm?page_id=28&title=good_delivery_rules</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>This is the official rate of taels in mainland China since the country implemented the metric system. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, a tael is equivalent to 37.429 g. <a href="/wiki/Metric_system" target="_blank">/wiki/Metric_system</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Baird & Co | Gold Bars". Baird & Co. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="https://www.bairdmint.com/gold/bars#limit=45&format=html" target="_blank">https://www.bairdmint.com/gold/bars#limit=45&format=html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Investment Bars : Rectangular Gold Bar". Emirates Gold. Archived from the original on 19 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="http://www.emiratesgold.ae/rectangular-gold-bar.html?submenuheader=0" target="_blank">http://www.emiratesgold.ae/rectangular-gold-bar.html?submenuheader=0</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Gold bars". Heraeus. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="https://www.heraeus.com/en/hmm/products_and_solutions_hmm/physical_supply/gold_bars/gold_bars.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.heraeus.com/en/hmm/products_and_solutions_hmm/physical_supply/gold_bars/gold_bars.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Metalor Gold Bars". BullionByPost. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="https://www.thegoldbullion.co.uk/buy-metalor-gold-bars/" target="_blank">https://www.thegoldbullion.co.uk/buy-metalor-gold-bars/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Cast Bars". PAMP. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="http://www.pamp.com/castbars" target="_blank">http://www.pamp.com/castbars</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Minted Ingots". PAMP. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="http://www.pamp.com/mintedingots" target="_blank">http://www.pamp.com/mintedingots</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"Perth Mint Spot Prices". Perth Mint. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="http://www.perthmint.com.au/metalPrices.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.perthmint.com.au/metalPrices.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"Gold Wafers | The Royal Canadian Mint". www.mint.ca. Retrieved 21 August 2019. <a href="https://www.mint.ca/store/content/bullionProductDetails.jsp?itemId=prod1670018&cat=Products&nId=7400002&parentnId=1300002&nodeGroup=About+the+Mint" target="_blank">https://www.mint.ca/store/content/bullionProductDetails.jsp?itemId=prod1670018&cat=Products&nId=7400002&parentnId=1300002&nodeGroup=About+the+Mint</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"The Mint's Refinery Services | The Royal Canadian Mint". www.mint.ca. Retrieved 21 August 2019. <a href="https://www.mint.ca/store/mint/about-the-mint/refinery-7300010?lang=en_CA#.XVyXu-NKjRY" target="_blank">https://www.mint.ca/store/mint/about-the-mint/refinery-7300010?lang=en_CA#.XVyXu-NKjRY</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Gold Bars | Buy Gold Bars | Royal Mint Bullion". The Royal Mint. Archived from the original on 17 June 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="https://www.royalmint.com/invest/bullion/bullion-bars/gold-bars" target="_blank">https://www.royalmint.com/invest/bullion/bullion-bars/gold-bars</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"Investment Bars Gold". Umicore. Archived from the original on 13 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="http://pmm.umicore.com/en/products/investment-bars/gold/" target="_blank">http://pmm.umicore.com/en/products/investment-bars/gold/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Good Delivery Gold bar". Valcambi. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="http://www.valcambi.com/products-and-metals/cast-products/au/400-oz/good-delivery-gold-bar/" target="_blank">http://www.valcambi.com/products-and-metals/cast-products/au/400-oz/good-delivery-gold-bar/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"1 g Minted Gold bar". Valcambi. Archived from the original on 8 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017. <a href="http://www.valcambi.com/products-and-metals/minted-bars/au/1-g/1-g-minted-gold-bar/" target="_blank">http://www.valcambi.com/products-and-metals/minted-bars/au/1-g/1-g-minted-gold-bar/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>"UBS Gold Bars - Suisse Gold - Precious Metals Dealers". <a href="https://www.suissegold.ch/en/category/buy-gold-bars/ubs-gold-bars" target="_blank">https://www.suissegold.ch/en/category/buy-gold-bars/ubs-gold-bars</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-bar-of-gold <a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-bar-of-gold" target="_blank">https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-bar-of-gold</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>