Silver bars compared by series

Bars and makers

Precious metal in bulk is called bullion: it is cast or struck into bars, wafers or coins. A bar's purity is given in thousandths: a .995 bar holds 995 parts of precious metal and 5 parts of other metal.

Heraeus makes silver bars in seven sizes, from 1 ounce to 15 kilos, with a purity of 999.9; depending on the size they are minted or cast. Umicore makes investment bars from 1 to 5,000 grams.

Good Delivery

In the London wholesale market, the Good Delivery bar is what counts. The LBMA keeps the lists of refiners allowed to deliver gold and silver bars in that market, and only bars that meet its standards are accepted in the settlement of a Loco London contract. Such a silver bar weighs about 1,000 troy ounces. The requirements cover fine weight, purity and appearance. Other products of accredited refiners fall outside the lists.

For VAT on gold, silver, platinum and palladium, see VAT by EU country.