100g Singapore Edition Gold Bar

A Locally Produced LBMA Gold Bar from Singapore's Bullion Hub

The 100g Metalor Singapore Edition gold bar is produced at Metalor Technologies' Singapore refinery, which was added to the LBMA Good Delivery List for gold in July 2014. Metalor, a Swiss precious metals company founded in 1852, established its Singapore operation in 2013 to serve the growing Asian gold market. The refinery became the largest LBMA-accredited gold refinery in Southeast Asia at the time of its listing.

This is a cast bar, not minted, which means it is poured from molten gold rather than stamped from a rolled sheet. Cast bars have characteristic surface textures and natural irregularities that are difficult to replicate precisely, providing a passive anti-counterfeiting feature alongside the formal security elements. The bar is sealed in Metalor's CertiCard tamper-evident blister packaging with a unique serial number and the signature of Metalor's certified assayer.

The "Singapore Edition" designation distinguishes bars produced at and branded by the Singapore facility from Metalor's Swiss-produced bars. Some variants in the range feature the Merlion, Singapore's national mascot, a mythical creature with a lion's head and a fish's body. The Merlion is one of Singapore's most recognisable symbols, and its presence on the bar marks the product's local origin.

At 100 grams of 999.9 fine gold, the bar occupies the premium-efficient weight class favoured by European and Asian gold investors. The dimensions (50 x 28.9 x 4.2 mm) make it compact enough for vault storage while representing a meaningful allocation. Metalor's LBMA accreditation ensures this bar is accepted by bullion banks, institutional investors, and dealers worldwide, on the same terms as bars from PAMP Suisse or Valcambi.

Metalor's status adds an additional layer of credibility. The company is one of only five LBMA Referees globally, alongside Argor-Heraeus, Johnson Matthey, PAMP, and Tanaka. These are the elite refiners trusted to test and certify other refiners' products. It is the oldest Swiss refinery with continuous LBMA accreditation. That Referee status applies to the company as a whole, including the Singapore facility.

100g Metalor Singapore Edition Gold Bar Specifications

The Singapore Edition range is produced in three retail sizes: 1 oz, 50g, and 100g, all as cast bars. The Singapore refinery also produces larger format bars up to 400 oz (LBMA Good Delivery) for institutional clients. Metalor Technologies was acquired by Tanaka Holdings of Japan in 2016 but continues operating under the Metalor brand.

The CertiCard packaging is critical for buyback value. If the seal is broken, the bar's provenance is compromised and some dealers may require re-assaying before purchase. The cast finish produces natural surface textures and striations on the reverse that vary slightly between bars, a characteristic feature of the casting process.

Tax Treatment of the 100g Metalor Singapore Edition Gold Bar

This bar qualifies for investment gold tax exemptions across all major markets, backed by LBMA accreditation and 999.9 purity.

• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals (IPM) scheme introduced in 2012. Gold bars of at least 99.5% purity from LBMA-accredited refiners qualify. Metalor Singapore was certified by IRAS as an approved refiner and producer of IPM in June 2013, shortly after the refinery opened. Singapore has no capital gains tax, making it one of the most tax-favourable jurisdictions for gold ownership.
• UK: VAT-exempt as investment gold (bars of 995+ purity from LBMA-accredited refiners qualify). Subject to CGT on disposal. Gold bars do not carry the CGT exemption available to UK legal tender coins.
• US: No federal sales tax. State sales tax exempt in most states. IRA-eligible as a 999.9 fine gold bar from an LBMA-accredited refiner. Capital gains taxed at the 28% collectibles rate for long-term holdings.
• EU: VAT-exempt under the EU Investment Gold Directive. Capital gains treatment varies by country.
• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold (99.5%+ purity).
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax. Metalor also operates a Hong Kong refinery, acquired in 2007.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt for gold at 99.5%+ purity.
• New Zealand: GST-exempt for gold at 99.5%+ purity.

Metalor Singapore Edition vs Swiss-Produced and Competing LBMA Bars

The Metalor Singapore Edition competes in a market segment with several strong alternatives, and its positioning depends largely on the buyer's location.

Against Metalor Swiss-produced bars, the quality is identical. Both facilities operate under the same Metalor standards and LBMA accreditation. The Singapore Edition's distinction is its local branding and cast format; Metalor's Swiss facility also produces minted bars with a different aesthetic. For Singapore-based buyers, the locally produced bar has the appeal of domestic origin and availability through local dealers like BullionStar and Silver Bullion.

Compared to PAMP Suisse, which also has Southeast Asian distribution, the Metalor bar typically trades at comparable or slightly lower premiums. PAMP's Lady Fortuna design and VeriScan authentication give it stronger brand recognition among retail investors. PAMP bars are minted (polished finish), and the Metalor Singapore Edition is cast (natural textures), which is a matter of aesthetic preference rather than quality difference.

The 100g Perth Mint Kangaroo bar is another strong competitor in the Asia-Pacific region. Perth Mint bars carry government backing from the Western Australian Government and the well-known Kangaroo design. The Perth Mint's proximity to Asian markets makes it a natural competitor to Metalor Singapore. Perth Mint bars are minted with CertiCard packaging, similar to Metalor's format but with a different design approach.

For Singapore-based buyers, the Metalor Singapore Edition has a distinct home-market advantage: local production, immediate availability, IPM-certified GST exemption, and the prestige of owning a bar from the largest LBMA refinery in Southeast Asia. For international buyers, the Metalor name and LBMA Referee status provide global liquidity on par with any Swiss bar, regardless of the production facility's location.