A gold bar is a rectangular piece of refined gold stamped with its weight, purity, and the name of the mint or refiner that made it. Bars range from a single gram, small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, to the 400-ounce bars held by central banks. This guide explains the sizes, what the purity numbers mean, why the price you pay is higher than the gold inside, and how to buy sensibly.
Cast bars and minted bars
Minted bars are stamped from a precisely cut blank of gold, which gives them a smooth, mirror-like finish and sharp lettering. Most small bars, from 1 gram up to about 1 ounce, are minted and sold sealed in a card or capsule with an assay certificate. Cast bars are poured into a mold. They have a more textured look and are common in larger sizes, where the lower manufacturing cost per gram helps keep the premium down.
Common gold bar sizes
| Bar size | Troy ounces | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | 0.032 oz | Gifts, first purchase, very small budgets |
| 5 grams | 0.161 oz | Small stackers who want a lower premium per gram |
| 10 grams | 0.321 oz | A common step up from 1 gram |
| 1 troy ounce (31.1 g) | 1.000 oz | The standard unit for gold prices |
| 50 grams | 1.608 oz | Mid-size holdings, lower premium |
| 100 grams | 3.215 oz | Larger holdings, lower premium |
| 1 kilogram | 32.15 oz | Serious holdings, lowest premium per gram |
Gold is priced per troy ounce (31.1035 grams), not per ordinary ounce. To get the price per gram, divide the ounce price by 31.1035. The oversized 400-ounce bars (about 12.5 kg) are the Good Delivery bars traded between banks. They aren’t practical for individuals.
What the purity numbers mean
Purity is shown as fineness, the parts of pure gold per 1,000. A bar stamped 999.9 is 99.99% pure gold, often called “four nines.” A bar stamped 999 is 99.9% pure. Pure 24-karat gold is 99.9% or better. Because bars are priced by the weight of gold they contain, the gap between 999 and 999.9 changes the value by only a tiny fraction of a percent. The difference is mostly marketing and mint tradition, not a reason to pay much more.
The mints and refiners you will see
Well-known names include PAMP Suisse and Valcambi in Switzerland and the Perth Mint in Australia. Large refiners are often accredited by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), which sets standards for the big Good Delivery bars. A recognized name matters because dealers everywhere will buy a bar from a known refiner without extra testing, which makes it easier to sell later.
Spot price vs. premium
The spot price is the market price of raw gold right now. A physical bar always costs more than spot. The extra is the premium, which pays for refining, minting, assay, packaging, shipping and the seller’s margin. Premium is not a flat fee, so small bars carry a much larger percentage than big ones.
Here is how to work it out. First, take the spot price per ounce and divide by 31.1035 to get the price per gram. Second, multiply by the bar’s weight to get its “melt value.” Third, compare that to the price you are being asked to pay. As an illustration only, using a made-up spot price of $4,000 per ounce, gold is about $128.60 per gram. A 1-gram bar sold at $250 would then carry a premium of roughly 94%. Use the current spot price when you do the math, not these example numbers. The same arithmetic on a 1-ounce or 100-gram bar usually shows a far smaller premium.
That is why a 1-gram bar is best thought of as a small, giftable collectible with gold content, not an efficient way to hold gold. If your goal is to own gold at the lowest cost per gram, larger bars from dealers usually win. If your goal is a small, affordable first piece, a sealed 1-gram bar is a reasonable choice as long as you know what the premium is.
1-gram gold bars on Amazon
These are the sealed 1-gram bars we found with an assay card. Before you buy any of them, check who the seller is, whether the item is shipped by Amazon, and the return policy, and compare the price to the melt value above. Some listings are sold by third-party sellers rather than the mint itself.
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British Britannia 1 Gram Gold Bar (.9999, New with Assay)
- 1 gram (0.032 troy oz) of .9999 pure gold
- Britannia design, supplied with assay
- Displays in the included gift pouch
PAMP Suisse Fortuna 1 Gram Gold Bar (999.9 Fine)
- 1 gram of 999.9 fine gold
- Minted bar with a clear viewing window
- Supplied in a gift pouch
Perth Mint 1 Gram Gold Bar with Assay (Australia)
- 99.99% pure gold
- LBMA-registered mark and kangaroo-shaped motif
- Tamper-evident packaging
Valcambi 1 Gram Gold Bar in Orange Assay Card
- 1 gram of gold sealed in a Valcambi assay card
- Includes a presentation pouch
Buying safely
- Buy from the mint, a long-established dealer, or a seller with strong, recent reviews and a clear return policy.
- Treat a price that is well under spot plus a normal premium as a red flag. Real gold does not sell below its value.
- Keep the bar sealed in its assay card or capsule. Opening it can lower the resale value.
- Keep the receipt and the card together, and photograph both.
- Read How to Spot Fake Gold Bars before you buy.
Storing your gold
Physical gold is only as secure as where you keep it. A fire-rated safe that is bolted down is a sensible minimum for a home. Check whether your homeowner’s or renter’s policy covers precious metals, since many policies cap the amount at a low limit. See our safes and secure storage picks and capsules and display cases.
Selling gold bars later
Dealers buy at a “bid” price below spot plus premium, so expect to get back less than you paid at the start unless gold has risen enough to cover the gap. Bars from a recognized refiner with the original card sell most easily. In the United States, selling gold at a profit can create a taxable gain, and bullion is generally taxed as a collectible, so it’s worth speaking to a tax professional before you sell.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 1 gram gold bar worth?
Its melt value is the spot price per gram, which is the spot price per ounce divided by 31.1035. The price you pay will be higher because of the premium. Check the current spot price before you buy.
Is a gold bar a good investment?
We can’t say. Gold can rise or fall, pays no interest or dividends, and has storage and insurance costs. It’s a personal decision, and a licensed financial professional can advise you.
Are 1 gram gold bars worth buying?
They work as an affordable first piece or a gift. Per gram they cost much more than larger bars, so they’re not the cheapest way to own gold.
Does 999.9 gold cost much more than 999?
It shouldn’t. The difference in gold content is about a tenth of a percent. Compare the all-in price per gram instead.
Can I test a gold bar myself?
Home tests are limited and can’t confirm a sealed bar. Our guide to How to Spot Fake Gold Bars explains what works and what doesn’t.
Keep reading: Gold Bars vs Gold Coins · How to Spot Fake Gold Bars · Safes & secure storage
This page is general information, not financial, tax or investment advice. Gold prices change daily and gold can lose value. Last updated October 2026.