How a gold bar is valued
Investment gold bars from recognised refiners (The Royal Mint, PAMP, Metalor, Umicore, Heraeus and others) are almost always 999.9 fine, which is 24 carat, 99.99% pure gold. That makes them the simplest thing in the market to value: the bar’s stated weight is its fine gold content.
The value is: weight in troy ounces × the current gold price per ounce. A 1kg bar holds 32.15 troy ounces; a 100g bar holds 3.215 oz; a 1oz bar holds exactly one.
Gold bar values by size
Illustrative gold value at £3,600 per troy ounce. Recognised investment bars are 999.9 fine.
| Bar size | Fine gold | Value at £3,600/oz (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|
| 1g | 0.032 oz | £116 |
| 5g | 0.161 oz | £579 |
| 10g | 0.322 oz | £1,157 |
| 20g | 0.643 oz | £2,315 |
| 1oz (31.1g) | 1.000 oz | £3,600 |
| 50g | 1.608 oz | £5,787 |
| 100g | 3.215 oz | £11,574 |
| 250g | 8.038 oz | £28,935 |
| 500g | 16.08 oz | £57,870 |
| 1kg | 32.15 oz | £115,740 |
Minted bars, cast bars and packaging
- Minted bars are pressed and finished, often sealed in a certified assay card. The card and serial number help confirm the bar and are worth keeping.
- Cast bars are poured into a mould and have a rougher finish. They contain exactly the same gold and are valued the same way.
- Assay certificates. Keep them. They do not change the gold content, but they speed up confirmation and reassure on provenance.
- Smaller bars (1 to 20g) often cost more per gram to buy because of manufacturing. When you sell, all bars are valued on their gold content.
Tax on selling gold bars
Gold bars are not legal tender, so unlike Sovereigns and Britannias they are not exempt from Capital Gains Tax. A gain above your annual CGT allowance may be taxable. Investment gold is generally exempt from VAT. GoldPaid is not a tax adviser. Check your own position with HMRC or a qualified accountant before selling. For the reasoning, and for how the £6,000 personal-possessions rule applies to a bar, see why UK gold coins are CGT-free and bars are not.
How to sell gold bars by post
- Send a photo on WhatsApp of the bar, both sides, and the assay card if it has one. We reply with a quick indicative figure.
- Talk through the postage. Larger bars exceed standard cover levels, so for higher-value parcels we discuss the right postal option with you before anything is sent. Your parcel travels on Royal Mail Special Delivery, and Royal Mail cover may be available up to £2,500 depending on the postal method and cover level used.
- Request your free label once you are happy to proceed.
- Read the offer, then decide. It arrives in writing with the weight and purity we measured. Accept and payment is by Faster Payments within one working hour. Decline and the bar comes back free.
Common questions
How is a gold bar’s value worked out?
Recognised investment bars are 999.9 fine, so the bar’s stated weight is its fine gold content. The value is that weight in troy ounces multiplied by the current gold price. A 1oz bar holds one ounce; a 100g bar holds 3.215 oz.
What is a 100g gold bar worth?
A 100g bar holds 3.215 troy ounces of gold, about £11,574 at an illustrative gold price of £3,600 per ounce. That is an indicative melt figure, not a quote; the live price moves continuously and the firm offer follows an assay and weighing. Send a photo to GoldPaid for a current figure.
Do I need the assay certificate to sell a gold bar?
No, it is not essential. A sealed assay card makes the bar quicker to confirm and tells us where it came from, but the valuation rests on the gold content either way. Keep the card if you still have it.
Is there tax on selling gold bars?
Gold bars are not legal tender, so they are not CGT-exempt, and a gain above your annual allowance may be taxable. Investment gold is generally VAT-exempt. GoldPaid is not a tax adviser; check with HMRC or an accountant.
Will you buy a 1kg gold bar by post?
Yes, though a 1kg bar is high-value and exceeds standard postal cover. We agree the appropriate, fully discussed postal arrangement with you before anything is sent.
Request a free prepaid Royal Mail label
Tell us where to send it. The label arrives by email, usually within about 30 minutes during working hours. Requesting one commits you to nothing: you get a written offer after the XRF assay, and if you decline, your items come back to you free.
Would you rather ask a question first, or send a photo? Message us on WhatsApp . It is the fastest way to get a sense of what something is worth before you post anything.