LBMA Accreditation
The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) maintains a list of accredited refiners that meet strict quality standards. Bars from LBMA-accredited refiners are widely accepted by dealers, banks, and investors worldwide. Our detailed guide on LBMA Good Delivery explains what this accreditation means for investors.
Buying LBMA-accredited products ensures consistent purity and weight. It also helps with resale, as dealers readily accept these bars without extensive testing.
Major Refiners
PAMP Suisse is known for its Lady Fortuna design and Veriscan security technology. Valcambi produces bars with distinctive packaging and offers CombiBar products that can be broken into smaller pieces. Both are Swiss refiners with strong reputations.
Perth Mint (Australia), Royal Canadian Mint, and Argor-Heraeus (Switzerland) also produce widely recognized 1 oz bars. Credit Suisse bars remain in circulation though new production has shifted to other refiners.
Security Features
Different refiners offer different security features. Some use holographic elements, others rely on serial numbers with online verification, and some employ specialized packaging that shows tampering. These features help with authentication.
While security features are nice to have, the most important protection is buying from reputable dealers. A bar's security features matter less if you purchased from a questionable source.
Price vs. Brand
Premium brands sometimes cost more than generic or less recognized bars. Whether the extra premium is worthwhile depends on your priorities. Brand-name bars may sell slightly faster, but generic bars from reputable dealers still contain the same gold.
If cost efficiency is your primary goal, consider whichever LBMA-accredited bar offers the lowest premium. If you value specific security features or plan to display your gold, brand may matter more. Browse available 1 oz gold bars to compare brands and pricing.