1 oz Gold Bar
Various (LBMA-approved) · Various · Gold · 1 troy oz · .9999 fine
Typical dealer premium: 1–3% over spot.
A 1 oz gold bar is the most cost-efficient way to buy one troy ounce of gold. Gold bars from LBMA-approved refiners (such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Credit Suisse, Royal Canadian Mint, and Perth Mint) carry the lowest premiums of any gold product — typically just 1–3% above spot — because they have no collectible value, minimal packaging costs, and are produced in high volume.
For investors whose primary goal is gold exposure at minimum cost, gold bars are the optimal choice. The trade-off is that bars require assay verification when selling, especially to a dealer you haven't worked with before. LBMA-approved bars with intact assay cards and original packaging sell most easily, as dealers can verify authenticity without costly testing. Bars that have been separated from original packaging may require an assay, which adds cost and time.
Gold bars are not IRA-eligible unless they come from a specific list of approved refiners (PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, and a few others). If buying for IRA purposes, confirm the specific bar's refiner is on the IRS approved list before purchasing.
- Why do gold bars have lower premiums than gold coins?
- Gold bars have lower premiums (1–3%) than coins (3–8%) because they have no face value, no collector appeal, and lower production complexity. Bars are produced in high volume for institutional and investment markets where minimizing cost per ounce is the priority.
- Which brands of gold bars are most trusted?
- LBMA-approved refiners are the gold standard for bar authenticity. Top brands include PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Credit Suisse, Heraeus, Perth Mint, and Royal Canadian Mint. Bars from these refiners with intact assay cards and serial numbers are easiest to sell at full market value.
- Are gold bars IRA-eligible?
- Some gold bars are IRA-eligible. The IRS requires gold bars in an IRA to be at least .995 fine and produced by a nationally accredited manufacturer or assayer. PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, and a few other LBMA-approved refiners qualify. Confirm IRA eligibility with your custodian before purchasing.