At first glance, gold bars may all look the same—shiny, rectangular, and expensive. But once you take a closer look, there’s a surprising variety in how they’re made, how much they weigh, and how pure they actually are. Whether you’re just starting your journey into gold investment or looking to expand your knowledge or even sell gold bars, understanding these basics can help you make smarter choices.
Let’s start with the two main types of gold bars: cast and minted. Cast bars are made by pouring molten gold into molds. The process gives each bar a rough, rugged appearance, and no two bars are ever exactly the same. They’re often the go-to choice for those who want a more industrial, unpolished feel. Minted bars, on the other hand, are made from gold that’s been rolled into thin sheets and then precision-cut and stamped. These bars are smooth, shiny, and uniform—more like a luxury item you’d display than hide away.
Now, about weights. Gold bars come in a wide range of sizes. The smallest bars, like 1 gram or 5 grams, are often bought as gifts or small starter investments. As you go up the scale, you’ll find more common sizes like 10g, 20g, 50g, and 100g. For serious investors, bars of 250g, 500g, and even a full kilogram are popular. Then there are the ultra-heavyweights: the 400-ounce gold bars often held in central bank vaults. These are not something you’d casually toss in your drawer.
Purity is another key factor. Most investment-grade gold bars are stamped with purity levels like 999.9 or 995. These numbers represent how many parts out of 1,000 are pure gold. The industry standard for high-purity gold is 999.9, or 99.99% pure. Lower-purity bars, such as 22-karat or 91.6% gold, are less common in bar form and more often found in jewelry.
Don’t overlook the brand. Bars from trusted refineries like PAMP Suisse, Heraeus, The Perth Mint, and The Royal Mint come with a reputation for quality and authenticity. A good bar should be clearly stamped with its weight, purity, serial number, and the logo of the mint or refinery.
In the end, the right gold bar for you depends on your goals. Whether you’re looking for sleek, minted pieces to show off or heavy-duty cast bars to bulk up your reserves, there’s a perfect fit out there. Just make sure to pay attention to the fine details—they matter more than you might think.