How to Verify a Gold Bar
NGB Hong Kong Desk·Published ·Updated
Authenticity and provenance matter more than any other factor when buying physical gold. These are the checks used in the trade.
Markings and serial number
Genuine investment bars carry the refiner's name, the weight, the fineness and, for most modern bars, a serial number that matches the assay certificate. Lettering should be crisp and evenly struck.
Sealed assay packaging
Many bars ship in tamper-evident assay cards. Keeping the seal intact preserves the chain of provenance and makes resale simpler. A broken or resealed card is a reason to ask questions.
Weight and dimensions
Gold is exceptionally dense, so a genuine bar matches published weight and dimensions closely. A bar that is correct in weight but oversized in volume is a warning sign.
Professional testing
Dealers use non-destructive methods such as ultrasound, conductivity and XRF testing. Buying from a registered dealer that sources from recognized refiners removes most of this burden from the buyer.