A Gold Bullion Bar is a fully refined gold bar produced by an accredited refinery or mint, intended for investment, central bank reserves, institutional trading, and long-term wealth storage.
Bullion bars are not semi-refined like doré bars and do not require further refining. They represent the most trusted and liquid form of physical gold ownership globally.
Common Commercial Grades
| Grade Name | Gold Purity | Fineness Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Bullion | 99.50% | 995 |
| High-Purity Bullion | 99.90% | 999 |
| Ultra-Pure Bullion | 99.99% | 999.9 |
| Special Mint Grade | 99.999% | 999.99 (rare) |
✔ Most modern bullion bars are 999 or 999.9 fine
LBMA Good Delivery Gold Bars (Global Benchmark)
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Purity | 99.5% Au |
| Weight Range | 350 – 430 troy oz (≈ 10.9 – 13.4 kg) |
| Typical Nominal Weight | ~400 troy oz |
| Shape | Trapezoidal cast bar |
| Surface Finish | Cast (not minted) |
Mandatory Markings:
✔ Refinery stamp
✔ Fineness (e.g., 995.0 / 999.9)
✔ Serial number
✔ Year of manufacture
✔ Accepted by central banks, bullion banks, ETFs, and global exchanges
Metallurgical Structure
✔ Single-phase FCC gold
✔ No intentional alloying
✔ Ultra-low impurity content
✔ Stable at ambient conditions
✔ No strengthening or heat treatment required
Refining & Manufacturing
Refining Routes:
Miller Process → ~99.5% Au
Wohlwill Electro-Refining → 99.99%+ Au
Manufacturing Steps:
Chemical refining
Melt & homogenization
Casting or minting
Weighing & assaying
Hallmarking & certification
Forms of Gold Bullion Bars
Cast Bullion Bars:
✔ Large bars (400 oz)
✔ Institutional & central bank trade
✔ Lowest premium
Minted Bullion Bars:
✔ Smaller bars (1 g – 1 kg)
✔ Retail investors
✔ Sealed & certified
Advantages of Gold Bullion Bars
✔ Highest purity and trust
✔ Globally tradable and liquid
✔ Certified weight & fineness
✔ Minimal price spread on large bars
✔ Long-term value preservation
Limitations
⚠ Soft metal – surface scratches easily
⚠ Secure storage required
⚠ Higher premiums on small-denomination bars
Why Choose Gold Bullion Bars?
Choose gold bullion bars when long-term value preservation, high-purity ownership, institutional-grade acceptance, and physical gold backing are required.
Gold bullion bars represent the highest-trust form of physical gold, combining purity, liquidity, and universal recognition across global financial systems.