Guides · Bullion and metals
Bullion and metals
Bullion and precious metals at auction: purity marks, melt value formulas, troy-ounce conversions and free spot price links.
What to check
- The stated weight and purity on the item or listing; melt is weight × purity × spot.
- Troy ounces, not ordinary ounces: 1 troy ounce = 31.1035 grams.
- Mint or refiner name and serial number on bars.
- Whether the box holds enough bullion to change the sales tax treatment where you are.
Key marks and dates
- Fine silver and gold bullion is usually .999 or .9999.
- American Silver Eagle: 1 troy ounce of .999 silver.
- American Gold Eagle (1 troy ounce): 22 karat (22K), and contains 1 troy ounce of gold.
- Canadian Maple Leaf (gold and silver): .9999.
⚑ Red flags
- Bars with no refiner name, no weight or no purity stamp.
- "Gold" or "silver" items that are plated or clad (look for Gold Plated (GP), Gold Filled (GF), Electroplated (EP) or "layered").
- Weights in avoirdupois ounces presented as troy ounces.
- Unknown refiners priced like major brands.
Free lookups
These guides are general information, not appraisals. Links go to independent sites we don't control and aren't affiliated with.
Reference
Metals price and melt reference
How melt value is calculated
Melt value = weight (troy ounces) × purity × spot price per troy ounce
If you have grams: troy ounces = grams ÷ 31.1035. Example method: a 10 grams 14 karat (14K) ring holds 10 × 0.583 = 5.83 grams of gold, or 5.83 ÷ 31.1035 = 0.1875 troy ounces. Multiply by the current spot price.
Melt is metal value only. Dealers and refiners pay less than full melt.
Common purities
| Mark | Purity |
|---|---|
| .999 fine (bullion) | 99.9% |
| .925 sterling silver | 92.5% |
| .900 coin silver | 90.0% |
| 10 karat (10K) gold (417) | 41.7% |
| 14K gold (585) | 58.3% |
| 18 karat (18K) gold (750) | 75.0% |
| 22K gold (916) | 91.7% |
| 24 karat (24K) gold | 99.9% |
Weights
| 1 troy ounce | 31.1035 grams |
| 1 pennyweight (dwt) | 1.5552 grams |
| 20 dwt | 1 troy ounce |
| 1 ordinary (avoirdupois) ounce | 28.3495 grams |
| 1 kilogram | 32.1507 troy ounces |
Silver in United States 90% coins (dated 1964 and earlier)
| Coin | Total weight | Pure silver |
|---|---|---|
| Dime | 2.50 grams | 0.0723 troy ounces |
| Quarter | 6.25 grams | 0.1808 troy ounces |
| Half dollar | 12.50 grams | 0.3617 troy ounces |
| Morgan or Peace dollar | 26.73 grams | 0.7734 troy ounces |
| $1 face value of dimes, quarters or halves | 0.7234 troy ounces (about 0.715 when worn) |
Also: 1965–1970 Kennedy halves (40% silver) hold 0.1479 troy ounces; 1942–1945 war nickels (35% silver) hold 0.0563 troy ounces.
No live prices here. For spot, see Kitco or the LBMA benchmark prices.
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