London Good Delivery (LGD) Gold Bars are internationally recognized investment-grade gold bars that comply with the strict standards set by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). They represent the global benchmark for wholesale gold trading and are universally accepted by central banks, bullion banks, refineries, institutional investors, and exchange vaults.
LGD bars are fully refined gold products and can be traded directly on global bullion markets without further processing, re-assaying, or certification.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Specification |
|---|---|
| Gold (Au) | ≥ 99.5% |
| Silver (Ag) | Trace |
| Copper (Cu) | Trace |
| Other Metals | Trace |
Key Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ~19.30 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1,064 °C |
| Boiling Point | 2,970 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~318 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~70% IACS |
| CTE | 14.2 × 10⁻⁶ /K |
| Magnetic Behavior | Non-magnetic |
| Surface Finish | Cast, matte |
Mechanical Properties
Mechanical strength is not a design criterion for LGD bars; purity, mass accuracy, and stability are prioritized.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 25 – 35 HV |
| Tensile Strength | 120 – 200 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~100 MPa |
| Elongation | > 40% |
| Malleability | Extremely high |
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
Crystal Structure: Face-Centered Cubic (FCC), providing excellent ductility.
Strengthening Mechanisms:
✔ Minor solid-solution strengthening from trace Ag and Cu
✔ Work hardening during casting and handling
❌ Cannot be precipitation hardened or heat treated
Metallurgical Characteristics:
• Homogeneous gold matrix
• Very low impurity segregation
• No intentional alloying
• Grain size depends on casting conditions
LBMA Dimensional & Weight Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 350 – 430 troy oz |
| Nominal Weight | ~400 troy oz (~12.4 kg) |
| Length | 210 – 290 mm |
| Width | 55 – 85 mm |
| Height | 25 – 45 mm |
Each LGD bar must bear:
✔ Approved refinery hallmark
✔ Unique serial number
✔ Year of manufacture
✔ Assayed purity
Available Forms
✔ Cast LGD bars (standard)
✔ Vault-certified bars
✔ Exchange-registered bars
✔ Central-bank custody bars
❌ Minted or pressed bars are not LGD-compliant
Key Characteristics
✔ Universally accepted bullion standard
✔ High purity and traceability
✔ Vault-ready institutional format
✔ Extremely liquid asset
✔ Stable indefinitely
⚠ Requires secure vaulting and professional custody
Typical Applications
Financial & Investment
Central bank reserves, bullion bank trading, gold-backed financial instruments
Institutional Storage
LBMA vaults, COMEX-approved vaults, sovereign reserves
Refining & Recasting
Feedstock for kilobars, coins, and jewelry gold
LGD Bars vs Other Gold Forms
| Feature | LGD Bars | Kilobars | Coins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | ≥ 99.5% | 99.99% | 90–99.99% |
| Weight | ~12.4 kg | 1 kg | Small |
| Liquidity | Very High | High | Medium |
| Premium | Lowest | Medium | High |
| Market | Wholesale | Semi-wholesale | Retail |
Why Choose London Good Delivery Bars?
London Good Delivery gold bars form the foundation of the global gold market. Their unmatched liquidity, strict LBMA standardization, traceability, and institutional acceptance make them the preferred gold format for central banks, bullion banks, and large-scale investors worldwide.