Credit Suisse gold bars: who made them, what they cost and how to check them
Credit Suisse gold bars are 999.9 fine bars made by the Swiss refiner Valcambi, which the bank owned until 2003. UBS took over Credit Suisse in June 2023, so the bars now trade mainly second-hand. On 11 October 2026 a pre-owned 1oz bar cost 3.2% over spot at Chards and 5.8% to 6.1% at APMEX.
Credit Suisse bars are among the most recognised bars ever made, yet the bank behind the logo has gone. Here is what that means for buyers and owners.
Who actually made Credit Suisse bars?
Credit Suisse was a bank, not a refinery. Its bars came from Valcambi, in Balerna, southern Switzerland. Valcambi's own history records that Credit Suisse bought 50% of the refinery in 1967, another 30% about 18 months later and the last 20% in 1980, and that the bank's "CS" brand was registered for gold on COMEX in 1974 and TOCOM in 1982. In 2003 Credit Suisse sold Valcambi to European Gold Refineries, a group including Newmont Mining. Valcambi is now part of India's Rajesh Exports and remains on the LBMA Good Delivery list, which is the quality standard for the professional gold market.
That is why every Credit Suisse bar shows Valcambi's assayer and melter marks under the fineness. Read our Valcambi bars guide for the refinery's own range.
What happened to Credit Suisse, and are bars still made?
After a crisis of confidence in March 2023, UBS agreed to take over Credit Suisse, and UBS announced it had completed the acquisition on 12 June 2023. We found no current Credit Suisse bar product line. Bars you see for sale today are best treated as existing stock and pre-owned bars. Some dealers, such as Chards, label them as pre-owned; APMEX lists several versions, including vintage assay designs.
| Maker | Valcambi SA, Balerna, Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Refiner's LBMA status | Valcambi: current Good Delivery refiner (listed 20 May 1968) |
| Credit Suisse ownership of Valcambi | Partly from 1967, fully from 1980, sold 2003 |
| Bank today | Acquired by UBS, completed 12 June 2023 |
| Purity | 999.9 (24 carat) |
| Market today | Mostly secondary-market and remaining stock |
What sizes were Credit Suisse bars made in?
The range was broad. Silver Bullion's guide lists the sizes below; see our gold bar sizes guide for how much gold each holds.
| Type | Sizes | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Minted | 1g, 2.5g, 5g, 10g, 20g, 1oz, 50g, 100g, 10 tola, 250g, 10oz | Polished; repeating diagonal logo pattern on the back |
| Cast | 500g, 1kg | Poured finish; plain back |
What is a Credit Suisse bar worth today?
The gold content sets the floor. These are live melt values, not dealer prices.
| Bar | Value (USD) | Value (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| 10g | ... | ... |
| 1oz | ... | ... |
| 100g | ... | ... |
| 10oz | ... | ... |
| 1kg cast | ... | ... |
Spot-based melt values from our live feed.
What premiums did we find on Credit Suisse bars?
We captured single-bar prices on Sunday 11 October 2026 while the gold market was closed. Valcambi's own bar is included because it comes from the same refinery.
| Dealer | Bar | Price | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chards (UK) | Credit Suisse 1oz minted, pre-owned (in stock) | £3,272.63 | 3.20% |
| APMEX (US) | Credit Suisse 1oz, Boston vintage assay | $4,414.29 | 5.21% |
| APMEX (US) | Credit Suisse 1oz, classic assay | $4,439.29 | 5.81% |
| APMEX (US) | Credit Suisse 1oz, in assay | $4,449.29 | 6.05% |
| APMEX (US) | Valcambi 1oz, in assay (same refinery) | $4,379.29 | 4.38% |
| APMEX (US) | Any-brand 1oz, secondary market | $4,309.29 | 2.71% |
Chards price captured 07:04 BST; APMEX check or wire price for 1 to 9 bars captured 12:45 BST. Spot from gold-api.com. Premium = price ÷ (fine oz × spot) − 1. See our premium tracker for monthly checks.
What this means: in the US, the Credit Suisse name cost about 1.5 percentage points more than Valcambi's own bar on the same day, and over 3 points more than a mixed-brand secondary bar. Some of that is nostalgia demand. A dealer buying it back will usually pay a spot-linked price, so the extra may not come back to you. If cost matters most, see the best gold bars to buy.
Check Credit Suisse bars at Chards
Cast or minted: does it matter for Credit Suisse bars?
Most Credit Suisse bars you will see are minted, from 1g to 10oz. Cast bars were mainly 500g and 1kg. Minted bars are easier to check visually; large cast bars usually need testing on resale. Our guide to cast vs minted bars explains why.
Who are Credit Suisse bars for?
- Suits: people who like the history of the brand and are happy to pay a small extra for it.
- Less suited: anyone focused on lowest cost per ounce, or who wants new bars in sealed, scannable packaging.
How do you spot a fake Credit Suisse bar?
A popular brand that is no longer made is an easy target for counterfeiters, so second-hand bars need care.
- Check the marks: the Credit Suisse name, weight, 999.9, Valcambi's assayer and melter marks, and a serial number, all crisp and evenly struck.
- Check the certificate if there is one: the serial should match the bar. Many older bars come without one, which is normal but means testing matters more. See what an assay card is.
- Weigh and measure. Tungsten fakes can match weight but not exact dimensions.
- Buy from dealers that test pre-owned stock with XRF or ultrasonic equipment. Our guide on telling if gold is real covers home checks.
Where can you buy or sell Credit Suisse bars?
| Country | Where to look | Tax note |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Chards (pre-owned, in our check); other UK dealers | VAT-free; bars liable to CGT |
| US | APMEX (several versions, in our check); other US dealers | Gains taxed as collectibles |
| Canada | See Canadian dealer reviews | GST/HST-free at 99.5%+ |
| Australia | See Australian dealer reviews | GST-free at 99.5%+ |
Keep your bar in its sleeve and store it securely; our gold storage guide compares safes and vaults. Compare other refiners in all gold bar guides.
Frequently asked questions
Who made Credit Suisse gold bars?
The Swiss refinery Valcambi in Balerna, Ticino. Credit Suisse bought into Valcambi in 1967 and owned it outright from 1980 until 2003, and registered its CS brand for gold on COMEX in 1974. Credit Suisse bars carry Valcambi's assayer marks below the fineness. Valcambi itself is on the LBMA Good Delivery list.
Are Credit Suisse gold bars still made?
Credit Suisse no longer exists as an independent bank. UBS completed its takeover on 12 June 2023. We could not find any current Credit Suisse bar product line, so bars on sale now are best treated as existing stock and secondary-market bars rather than new production.
Are Credit Suisse gold bars worth more than other bars?
Not in gold content: a 1oz Credit Suisse bar holds the same 31.1 g of 999.9 gold as any other 1oz bar. In our 11 October 2026 check, APMEX charged a higher premium for Credit Suisse 1oz bars (5.8% to 6.1%) than for Valcambi's own 1oz bar (4.4%). Do not assume a dealer will pay that extra back.
Is it safe to buy a Credit Suisse bar now the bank has gone?
The bank's collapse does not affect the gold. What matters is that the bar is genuine. Because the brand is popular and no longer made, fakes do circulate. Buy from a dealer that tests second-hand bars, and check the serial number, Valcambi marks, weight and dimensions.
Should I sell my Credit Suisse bar?
That is your decision. Dealers will usually buy it at a price linked to spot, like any LBMA-quality bar. Compare several buyback quotes and see our guide to selling gold bars. Keep any original sleeve or certificate, because it can make the sale quicker.
What does the back of a Credit Suisse bar look like?
Minted Credit Suisse bars usually have a repeating diagonal pattern of the Credit Suisse logo on the back. Cast bars have a plain back. The front shows the Credit Suisse name, weight, purity (999.9), Valcambi's assayer mark and a serial number.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- Valcambi: Our history (Credit Suisse ownership 1967 to 2003, CS brand on COMEX 1974)
- LBMA: Good Delivery current list, gold (Valcambi SA)
- UBS: UBS completes Credit Suisse acquisition (12 June 2023)
- Chards: Credit Suisse 1oz minted bar, pre-owned (price captured 11 Oct 2026)
- APMEX: 1oz gold bars and rounds (Credit Suisse prices captured 11 Oct 2026)
- APMEX: Credit Suisse gold bars category
- Silver Bullion (Singapore): Credit Suisse gold bars guide (sizes, Valcambi marks, design)
Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.