Gold bars are among the most straightforward ways to own physical gold. Free from the mintage limits, collector premiums, and design variations that characterize gold coins, bars are valued almost entirely on their gold content — making them a clean, efficient vehicle for gold investment. At American Gold Buyers, located at 1178 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC 29607, we both buy and sell gold bullion bars from a variety of producers. Here is what you should know before buying or selling. Call us at (864) 631-1000.
Gold Bar Purity
Most investment-grade gold bars are produced at .9999 fine gold (99.99% pure), commonly referred to as “four nines” purity. Some older bars or certain producers use .999 fine (99.9%), which is still considered fine gold and trades at the same level for most purposes. Bars are typically stamped with the fineness (9999, 999, or equivalent), the weight, the manufacturer’s name or logo, and a serial number for larger bars.
Common Sizes
Gold bars are produced in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different budgets and investment strategies:
- 1 gram: A small, affordable entry-level option; carries the highest percentage premium over spot due to manufacturing cost relative to gold content
- 5 gram and 10 gram: Popular for gift-giving and incremental accumulation
- 1 troy ounce (31.1 grams): The most popular bar size for retail investors; directly comparable to bullion coin weights
- 2.5 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz: Mid-range sizes offering lower percentage premiums while remaining manageable for individual investors
- 1 kilo (32.15 troy oz): Popular with more serious investors; significantly lower premium percentage
- 100 oz: Large bars for institutional or high-net-worth investors; premium over spot is minimal
- 400 troy oz “Good Delivery” bars: The standard settlement bar for London and international central bank transactions; not practical for individual investors
Major Gold Bar Producers
PAMP Suisse
Perhaps the most recognized gold bar producer in the world, PAMP Suisse (Produits Artistiques Metaux Precieux) is based in Switzerland and is renowned for its iconic Fortuna design. PAMP bars come with assay certificates (assay cards) in tamper-evident packaging, making verification straightforward.
Credit Suisse
Though Credit Suisse the bank no longer operates independently, bars stamped “Credit Suisse” from prior years remain widely traded and recognized globally.
Perth Mint
The Australian government’s Perth Mint produces highly respected bars and coins with a government guarantee of fineness.
Royal Canadian Mint
Known for exceptional quality control and anti-counterfeiting features including Bullion DNA technology.
Valcambi Suisse
Another respected Swiss refiner producing bars in a variety of sizes, including the popular “CombiBar” which can be broken into smaller gram denominations.
Assay Cards and Packaging
Many gold bars — particularly smaller retail-oriented sizes — come in sealed plastic assay cards with certificates confirming purity and weight. These cards should be kept intact, as opening or damaging them can complicate future resale. Larger bars (10 oz and above) typically do not come in individual cards; instead, they are verified by weight and testing at the time of transaction.
Buying and Selling Gold Bars in Greenville
At American Gold Buyers, we carry gold bars from major producers for sale, and we purchase gold bars from sellers. We test and weigh every bar we buy to confirm authenticity and gold content. Sellers receive cash or check; buyers may use cash, credit, or crypto. Customers from Easley, Mauldin, Greer, Simpsonville, and throughout Greenville County are welcome.
Visit us at 1178 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC 29607, or call (864) 631-1000 to ask about current inventory or to have your gold bars evaluated.