- Gold bars are made in 400-troy-ounce increments.
- Gold bars, also called ingots, are large pieces of gold, usually 400 troy ounces.
- The value of a gold bar depends largely on its weight, purity, and size, as gold bullion bars are traded based on their purity and weight.
A gold bar weighs approximately 400 to 500 grams (14.1 to 17.6 ounces). A gold bar is different from a gold coin, which weighs less and is of a different shape. A gold bar has no face value; its value is determined by the weight, purity, and size of the gold.
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Gold Trade
Gold Trade
Although gold bars are not standardized, there is a general guideline for the weight of most bars. The average weight of gold bars is 400.0 – 440.0 grains (one grain is equal to a 1/20th of a troy ounce).
Gold Weight
Each gold bar is stamped with the gold bar’s fine weight and purity. The fine weight refers to how much pure gold the bar contains. The purity refers to how much of the gold bar is pure gold.
The fine weight will always be the minimum amount needed for a troy ounce of gold. The purity will always be 100% pure.
The fine weight for a gold bar is usually in ounces and fractions of an ounce. The fine weight will be stamped on at least 2 sides of the bar. The purity is always stamped on at least one side.
Gold Bar Weight
Gold bars are meant to be weighed against each other so that you know you are buying the right gold bar for the value you are paying. Most gold bars are 400-500 troy ounces, or 12 troy pounds. The weight of a gold bar refers to the weight of the gold inside of it, not the base material.
Gold Bar Purity
The purity of gold bars is measured in karats, or parts per thousand. Pure gold is 24 karat gold, which is 100 percent pure. All other gold is mixed with other metals. The higher the karat, the more expensive it becomes.
A 10-gram bar of 14 karat gold, for example, contains about 10.5 grams of pure gold. Such a bar would be worth about $436 ($1,375 x .14 x 10.5). If it were 18 karat, it would contain 18/24 or 75 percent pure gold, worth $1,297 ($1,375 x .18 x 10.5).