Metalor Gold Bars
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Above: 1 oz Metalor minted gold bar
999.9 fine. Note the "Datamatrix code" above the serial number,
similar to a QR code, with security information.
Metalor Technologies SA is an international business group with subsidiaries in 17 countries. The company, based in Switzerland is a renowned and prestigious gold refiner and manufacturer of gold bullion bars. Metalor is certified by the LBMA (London Bullion Metals Association) and is also one of the world's five "Good Delivery Referees" for the LBMA and LPPM. The company is also certified by the RJC (Responsible Jewelry Council). [1]
Metalor gold bars are one of the products that the company is best known for, however Metalor also refines / creates a wide range of products from other precious metals - Silver (Ag), Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), Rhodium (Rh), Ruthenium (Ru) and Iridium (Ir).
The company produces not only high purity refined metals, but also other precious metal products - for example precious metal alloys, advanced coatings (including precious metal plating), manufacture of salts and solutions from precious metals, and the production of precious metal powders and flakes. Precious metal powders and flakes have numerous uses in modern technology - for example being used in photovoltaic solar panels and microelectronic components. Metalor specializes creating products for applications which require particles of precise size, for example silver flakes for the electronics industry. [2] [3]
Metalor Minted Gold Bar Sizes
In addition to the manufacture of gold bars for other entities (including UBS and SBS) , Metalor makes gold bullion bars branded "Metalor" at various sizes. In current production is a range of three minted bars, all at 999.9 purity (99.99%):
1 troy ounce (24 x 41 x 1.9mm)
50 grams (25.7 x 44.2 x 2.65mm)
100 grams (27.5 x 47.5 x 4.35mm)
The minted bars are sealed in a tamper-proof plastic case and issued with an assay certificate. Other security features include not only a serial number which can be checked against company records, but also an innovative Datamatrix code, engraved on the bar. This functions in a similar manner to the increasingly popular "QR code" and enables Metalor to encode unique information onto the bar. [4]
Metalor Cast Gold Bar Sizes
In addition to the range of smaller minted bars, Metalor also makes cast gold bars in several of the most popular sizes: 400 oz, 1000g, 500g, 250g, 100g and 10 tola. [5]
Metalor History
In 1852 a "Preliminary Rolling Factory" was founded by Martin de Pury & Cie at Le Locle, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. This factory specialized in gold melting and manufacture of watch cases and supplied Le Locle, which is now considered to be one of the principal centers of the world famous Swiss watchmaking industry. [4]
In 1864 the factory was purchased by the Bank of Le Locle. In 1918 the company was taken over by the well-known Société de Banque Suisse (SBS) and commenced the production of precious metal ingots. In 1934 Metalor issued a 400 oz gold "good delivery bar" for the first time and these were the first Swiss gold bars to be officially recognized by the London Gold Market - however these bars bore the stamp of the Société de Banque Suisse (SBS). [5] The name Metalor was first used in 1936, when Métaux Précieux SA Metalor was formed as a subsidiary of SBS. However many of the bars produced between 1934 and 1998 were issued under the brand of the Swiss Bank Corporation (SBC). [5]
Metalor now operates gold refineries not only in Switzerland but also in the USA, Hong Kong and China. [4]
Metalor Gold Bars - info sources / references:
[1] http://www.metalor.com/en/node_59/ISO-RJC-LPPM-and-LBMA-certifications
[2] http://www.metalor.com/en/content/view/full/921
[3] http://www.metalor.com/en/content/view/full/482
[4] http://www.goldbarsworldwide.com/PDF/NBA_46_Metalor_MintedGoldBars.pdf
[5] http://www.goldbarsworldwide.com/PDF/RB_5_MetalorGoldBars.pdf
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