What is an assay card?
An assay card is the sealed, tamper-evident card a small gold bar is sold in. It shows the maker, weight, purity (usually 999.9) and a serial number that matches the bar. The Perth Mint, for example, sells its minted bars in a serial-numbered, tamper-proof display card. Most owners keep it sealed.
"Assay" means testing metal to measure its purity. An assay card is the refiner's written promise of that test result, sealed together with the bar it describes.
What is on an assay card?
Cards vary by brand, but a typical one shows:
- Refiner or mint name and logo, for example PAMP Suisse or The Perth Mint.
- Weight, such as 1 g, 10 g, 1 oz or 100 g.
- Fineness, usually 999.9 (99.99% gold). See what is 999 gold.
- Serial number, printed on the card and stamped on the bar so the two can be matched.
- A signature or assayer's mark on some brands.
- Security features, such as holograms, QR codes or a seal that shows if it has been opened.
Assay card vs no card: how do bars compare?
| Bar type | Typical sizes | Proof of purity | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minted bar in assay card | 1 g to 100 g | Sealed card with serial number | Perth Mint minted bars; PAMP Suisse bars in CertiPAMP packaging |
| Cast bar, loose | 1 oz to 1 kg | Logo, weight, purity and usually serial stamped on the bar; sometimes a paper certificate | Perth Mint cast bars (stamped with logo, weight and purity) |
| Good Delivery bar | About 400 oz | Serial number, refiner's stamp, fineness and date stamped on the bar; tracked on LBMA lists | Bars held in London vaults |
The difference comes down to how the bar is made. Minted bars are cut and struck from a strip of gold, leaving a polished surface that scratches easily, so the card doubles as protection. Cast bars are poured into moulds and are tougher looking to begin with. Our guide to cast vs minted gold bars explains the trade-offs. The biggest bars of all, Good Delivery bars, rely on stamped marks and a chain of custody instead of packaging.
Real examples of assay cards
The Perth Mint
The Perth Mint says its minted bars "are struck with The Perth Mint logo and carry an inscription of their weight and purity", and that each "comes in a serial numbered, tamper-proof display card". Its cast bars, by contrast, are stamped with the logo, the LBMA-registered mark, weight and purity, with no card mentioned. Both are listed at 99.99% pure gold.
PAMP Suisse
PAMP sells many bars in what it calls CertiPAMP assay packaging. Bars bearing the VERISCAN logo can be checked with PAMP's VERISCAN phone app. According to APMEX's guide, the app scans the QR code on the CertiPAMP card, then scans the bar's surface and compares it with a digital record made during production. It then shows the bar's weight, purity, mint mark and serial number so you can compare them with the card.
Why the card matters to buyers and sellers
When you buy
A sealed card from a known refiner, bought from a reputable dealer, is good evidence that you are getting what you paid for. Check that the seal is intact, that the serial number on the card matches the bar, and that nothing looks reprinted or resealed. Counterfeit cards exist, which is why the US Mint and others advise buying from established dealers.
When you sell
A bar still in its original card is quick for a dealer to identify. A loose minted bar may need testing first, which can slow things down or lead to a more cautious offer. Keep the card, your receipt and any separate certificate together.
When you store it
Cards are flat and easy to stack in a safe or a deposit box. Don't keep them where heat or damp could warp the plastic. Our gold storage guide covers the options.
Is an assay card the same as a hallmark?
No. A hallmark is an official mark applied by an independent assay office. In the UK it is a legal requirement for gold jewellery over 1 gram, but bullion bars and coins are exempt under the Hallmarking Act. The assay card on a bar is the refiner's own guarantee, backed by its reputation and, for big refiners, by LBMA accreditation. See gold hallmarks explained.
Where to buy bars in assay
Small carded bars from PAMP, The Perth Mint and other refiners are sold by most bullion dealers. Small sizes carry high premiums, so compare prices first. Start with our dealer comparisons: where to buy gold in the US, where to buy gold in the UK, where to buy gold in Canada and where to buy gold in Australia, or read how to buy gold for the full process. More explainers are in Learn.
Frequently asked questions
Does an assay card prove a gold bar is real?
It helps but does not prove it alone. Counterfeiters copy popular cards as well as bars. A card is strong evidence when it comes from a reputable dealer, the serial number on the card matches the bar, the seal is intact, and any maker's verification tool (such as the PAMP VERISCAN app) confirms it.
Should I take my gold bar out of the assay card?
Most owners leave it sealed. The card protects the soft 999.9 surface from scratches and keeps the bar matched to its serial number and certificate, which makes it easier to identify when you sell. Once opened, a buyer may want to test the bar before paying.
What does 'in assay' mean on a dealer listing?
It means the bar is sold sealed in its original assay card or certified packaging, with its weight, purity and usually a serial number printed on it. Listings without it may be loose cast bars, which are often stamped with the same details directly on the metal.
Do all gold bars come with an assay card?
No. Small minted bars (1 gram to about 100 grams) usually do. Larger cast bars are often sold loose, with the refiner's mark, weight, purity and serial number stamped into the bar, and sometimes a separate paper certificate. A 400 oz Good Delivery bar has no card at all.
What if I lose the assay card?
The gold is still worth the same amount of gold. You may find a dealer offers slightly less or asks to test the bar before buying, because it can no longer be matched to its sealed packaging. Keep your purchase receipt, which helps prove where the bar came from.
Is an assay card the same as an assay certificate?
Often the terms are used interchangeably. An assay card is usually the sealed blister pack with the bar inside. An assay certificate can also be a separate printed document listing the bar's serial number, weight and fineness, issued by the refiner.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- The Perth Mint: Minted bars (serial numbered, tamper-proof display card; 99.99% gold)
- The Perth Mint: Cast bars (stamped with logo, weight and purity)
- APMEX: How do I verify a PAMP Suisse bar? (VERISCAN app and CertiPAMP assay card)
- LBMA: Good Delivery technical specifications (serial number, refiner's stamp, fineness, year)
- Assay Office London: Hallmarking guidance (bullion exempt from hallmarking)
- US Mint: Bullion consumer awareness
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.