Gold has always been the most coveted of precious metals on our planet. The ancient Egyptians treasured this substance as much as we do today. It is estimated that, based on a world price of spot gold $ 961.40 an ounce, the total amount of gold in the world is worth $ 4,611,266,106,750. Based on the same price, if a 200 pound man went to get his weight in gold, will receive $ 2,804,019.24.

Gold Bullion
Gold is a term that means a refined and stamped weight of precious metals, and applies to gold coins and gold bars. The gold bars are primarily held by governments and central banks to increase their foreign reserves. Fort Knox in Kentucky is home to the U.S. gold reserves and has 147.3 million ounces troy of gold in his hand. The bars are 27 ½ pounds each and measure 7 inches by 3 5 / 8 inches by 1 3 / 4 inches. A problem that owners of individual gold bars can be found is that once a bar of gold is extracted from its tank before resale, must be revisited, which involves a fee. Moreover, countries charge import duties on the bars.

Other Uses Gold Bar
Companies that make computers, telephones and televisions to buy gold bars for use in manufacturing. Gold has higher electrical capacity and performance resists rust, making it a coveted substance. Dental gold bars used for construction of bridges and crowns. Perhaps the greatest numbers of gold bars, 75 percent are sold to the jewelry industry for use in personal items such as chains, rings and watches. By purchasing a large quantity of gold is more profitable to buy the bars rather than smaller issues, such as coins.

Spot gold price
This is what the world uses every day to have a base or starting point for the trading day in the global gold market. The price is set in London in the afternoon, which is tomorrow in New York, so when New York markets open, which is the price to start. The price changes per minute, and about 2:30 pm ET, the U.S. market closed until the next trading day. All transactions of gold bars and coins are based on these spot gold prices worldwide.

The manufacturers and standards
Many countries produce gold bars, but historically the use of different weights or levels of purity, so that standardization was a problem. 24 karat gold is 99.99 percent, while 18 carat gold is 75 percent pure. The rules in the gold trade were established to simplify the negotiation process and level the playing field. There are 55 gold bars manufacturers worldwide that are recognized to do what is called “London Good Delivery gold bars. These bars must weigh between 350 and 430 troy ounces and be at least 99.5 percent pure.

Smaller bars
The Kilobar is exactly one kilogram, which translates into 32.15 ounces Troy. Moreover, the worlds traded gold bar because it is convenient in size and recognized internationally. Two manufacturers are primarily responsible. Swiss Pamp Swiss makes a Kilobar analyzed, sealed and certified 99.99 percent pure and sealed at the refinery in a plastic card. The announcement of trial and serial number are on the accompanying certificate. These bars are 41 mm by 24 mm by 2 mm thick. The manufacturer recognizes another gold bar of this size is the Royal Canadian Mint. There are other size bars as 100 grams and 10 grams (Troy).

Several bars
Japan makes Rainbow bars, which have a purity level of 18 karat (75 percent) and have different shades of gold. The Japanese add different metals to achieve lunar rainbows and wood grain effects. The Swiss, starting in 1990, produced the first gold bars minted hologram colorful designs on them, and are still very popular in the Middle East. The Chinese make what is called Tale bars, which appear in three different ways: biscuits, cans and donuts. A manufacturer of Degussa behalf of Brazil in 1982 designed a gold bar of 110 grams in the form of a bone. Finally, the Swiss designed, gold bars, with cartoon characters like Tweety, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Bugs Bunny. That could be fun, but they remain worth their weight in gold.

Troy Standard
An ounce of gold, silver or platinum, is actually 9.7 percent an ounce heavier than other materials. This is because the troy ounce is used to measure the weight of precious metals rather than the avoirdupois ounce of which are used to seeing in our daily lives. Originally used in Troyes, France, the troy ounce has become a worldwide standard for precious metals, precious stones and gunpowder.

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