Gold bars are a type of gold bullion used for investment purposes. The purchase price is very close to the actual value of the gold contained in the bars. These bars come in standard weights and purities, making them easy to value and trade. Manufacturers certify the authenticity of their bars, which makes it easy for gold investors to buy with confidence.
Some types of gold bullion bars are easier to sell than others. It is essential to do your research before buying gold bars. You want to choose bars with the highest value and popularity. If you don’t have easily tradable bullion, you could miss out on a market spike while trying to find a buyer.
Cast vs. Minted
Cast bars are a type of bullion created by pouring liquified gold into simple molds and allowing it to cool. These are the cheapest bars to manufacture, and those savings get passed onto the buyer. Cast bars have rough surfaces, blemishes, and minimal engraving.
Minted bars are much more common, though they are more expensive. They have a smooth, shiny surface produced by a compression molding process. Many minted bars are sold and handled in protective plastic casings to protect the finish.
Popular Gold Bars
Good Delivery Bars
Good Delivery bars are the largest commonly traded gold bars. The standard weight is 400 ozt, with a minimum purity of 99.5%. These bars must meet strict guidelines that define their weight, size, and security features. Investors must store Good Delivery bars in secure gold bullion vaults to maintain their value.
These bars are the standard gold bullion used by international markets, government gold reserves, central banks, and the IMF. Individuals can buy and sell Good Delivery bars, but buyers cannot store the bars at home. The high initial investment, remote physical location, and secure vault storage fees often deter individual gold investors from buying these bars.
Kilobars
Kilobars weigh 1 kilogram and have a minimum purity of 99.5%. These are the most widely traded small bars throughout the world. Most of these bars are flat, though some European manufacturers still produce brick-shaped kilobars.
Kilobars can be stored at home and traded with local gold buyers. They can also be stored in secure bullion vaults and sold to larger bullion buyers. Many investors choose to split their stock, keeping some kilobars stashed nearby for easy access and others stored in secure vaults.
Small Cast Bars
Most small cast bars have their weight measured in grams. The most extensively available small cast bar is 500g. Like all gold bullion, small cast bars range in purity from 99.5% to 99.9%. Standard sizes are 500g, 250g, and 100g. Small cast gram bars are available from most gold bullion manufacturers throughout the world.
Troy ounce gold bars are available in a variety of sizes from the Perth Mint in Australia. They range in size from 500 troy ounces to 1/2 a troy ounce. Buying troy-ounce gold bars allows investors to begin accumulating gold bullion with a small amount of upfront capital. The Perth Mint is internationally recognized and pegged to the Australian currency.
Once an investor owns a significant amount of small cast bars, they may decide to consolidate their gold into larger bullion bars. However, keeping a portion of your gold bullion in small cast bars may provide you with easy options to quickly liquidate small amounts of capital through local gold buyers.
The value of gold fluctuates according to the market. As with any investment, you want to buy low and sell high. The best time to sell gold online is when the spot price of gold spikes. You should choose the buyers you will sell to before a spike occurs and establish a relationship with them. Once you have created trading accounts, you can sell quickly when the market is hot.
Many different market indicators can predict a gold surge. Three of the most reliable indicators are:
7/29/21
Top Online Gold Buyer