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Sell Gold Bars
Start with weight and fineness
A gold bar's value comes down to two numbers stamped right on it: its weight and its fineness (purity). Enter both into the calculator above along with today's live spot price to get an accurate current value. Unlike jewelry, there's no karat guessing game — bars are manufactured and stamped to precise, verifiable specifications.
Cast bars vs. minted bars
Gold bars generally come in two forms. Cast bars are poured into molds and cooled, giving them a slightly rougher, individual look — each one can vary very slightly in appearance even from the same refiner. Minted bars are cut from rolled gold sheet and stamped under pressure, giving them a uniform, polished finish, often sealed in tamper-evident packaging with a certificate. Both are equally valid gold investments; the difference is manufacturing method and presentation, not purity.
Common bar weights
Gold bars are produced in a range of standard sizes, including:
- 1 gram — small, often sold in multi-bar sheets for gifting or entry-level investing.
- 1 troy ounce (31.1g) — one of the most widely traded and recognized sizes.
- 10 troy ounces — a common mid-size bar for larger holdings.
- 1 kilogram (32.15 troy oz) — a standard size held by refiners, dealers, and larger investors.
Assay cards and serial numbers
Minted bars typically ship in a sealed assay card that states the bar's weight, fineness (often 999.9, meaning 99.99% pure), serial number, and the refiner's name — commonly a member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) or a similarly recognized body. This card is your proof of authenticity. Keep it with the bar; a bar separated from its assay card and serial number can be harder to sell quickly and may need extra verification (weighing, dimension checks, sometimes ultrasonic testing) before a dealer commits to a price.
Where to sell a gold bar
Sell gold bars to a bullion dealer, not a jewelry store or general pawn shop. Bullion dealers are equipped to verify serial numbers, weigh and test bars accurately, and price them close to spot value rather than treating them as unknown scrap. Many dealers also buy directly online with insured shipping, which can be worth comparing against a local in-person sale.
Getting the best price
- Keep the assay card, serial number, and original packaging intact and together.
- Check the live value above before contacting any dealer, so you know what to expect.
- Get two or three quotes from bullion dealers — pricing above spot can vary.
- Bring photo ID; dealers are typically required to record bullion purchases.
Frequently asked questions
How is a gold bar's value calculated?
It's the bar's stamped weight times its fineness times today's live spot price. Enter both figures into the calculator above for an accurate current value — bars don't require karat guessing since specifications are precisely stamped and certified.
Does it matter if I've lost the assay card for my gold bar?
It can. The assay card verifies weight, fineness, and serial number, which speeds up a sale. Without it, a dealer will likely need to re-test the bar (weight, dimensions, sometimes ultrasonic scanning) before making an offer, which can slow things down.
Should I sell my gold bar to a pawn shop or a bullion dealer?
A bullion dealer is the better choice. They're set up to verify serial numbers and fineness quickly and typically price bars close to spot, while a general pawn shop may not have the expertise and could undervalue it as unidentified scrap.