1 oz Elemetal Mint Gold Bar

A Bar from the Elemetal Refinery Network

The 1 oz Elemetal Mint Gold Bar contains 31.1035 grams of 999.9 fine gold, produced by Elemetal, a US-based precious metals company that operated a network of refining and minting facilities. Elemetal bars are frequently encountered on the secondary market, often listed alongside related brands including OPM (Ohio Precious Metals) and NTR Metals, which were part of the same corporate family before Elemetal's restructuring.

Elemetal was formed in 2014 through the consolidation of several US precious metals operations, including OPM Metals (formerly Ohio Precious Metals, founded in 1978 in Jackson, Ohio) and NTR Metals (a major refiner and trading operation based in Dallas, Texas). The company held LBMA Good Delivery accreditation through its refining subsidiaries and operated one of the largest precious metals refining operations in the United States. In 2018, Elemetal underwent significant legal and corporate changes following a federal money laundering case involving NTR Metals employees. The minting and refining operations were subsequently reorganized, and the Elemetal brand ceased active production of new retail bullion products.

Bars bearing the Elemetal name are now primarily available on the secondary market. They carry individual serial numbers and are sealed in tamper-evident assay cards verifying weight and purity. The 999.9 fineness and former LBMA accreditation mean these bars meet the technical requirements for investment gold in all major markets. Dealers often list them as "Elemetal/OPM" or group them with bars from the related minting operations, reflecting the shared corporate heritage.

For buyers evaluating an Elemetal bar against currently produced alternatives from PAMP Suisse or Valcambi, the key consideration is liquidity. Major dealers buy back Elemetal bars at standard gold bar rates based on weight and purity verification, but the brand lacks the immediate recognition that Swiss-refined bars command globally. Premiums on Elemetal bars are typically at the lower end of the branded bar spectrum, making them a cost-effective option for buyers focused on metal content rather than brand prestige.

Elemetal Mint Bar Specifications

Elemetal bars were produced as minted bars with a polished finish, bearing the Elemetal name, weight, purity, and a unique serial number. The assay card includes a certificate of authenticity verifying the bar's specifications. The design is utilitarian, without the ornamental artwork found on PAMP's Fortuna or Geiger's castle motif. Some bars in circulation carry the OPM (Ohio Precious Metals) branding rather than the Elemetal name, reflecting different production periods within the same corporate family.

Dealers sometimes list these bars as "Elemetal/OPM/JM Bullion/Provident" because bars were produced under contract for various dealer brands during Elemetal's operational period. The underlying product is the same: 999.9 gold from the Elemetal refining network, sealed in an assay card. The assay packaging on secondary-market Elemetal bars may come from the selling dealer rather than from the original production, as dealer repackaging is common for bars that have changed hands.

Elemetal also produced bars in other sizes during its operational period, though the 1 oz format is the most commonly encountered on the secondary market. OPM, the Ohio-based refining arm, had been producing bars since 1978 before its incorporation into the Elemetal group in 2014.

Tax Treatment of Elemetal Gold Bars

As a 999.9 fine gold bar, the Elemetal Mint bar qualifies for standard investment gold tax treatment across all major markets. The fact that the brand is no longer in active production does not affect tax classification.

United Kingdom

Gold bars at 995+ purity are VAT-exempt on purchase. Subject to CGT on disposal at the investor's marginal rate (18% or 24%), with the £3,000 annual allowance. Not CGT-exempt as bars carry no UK legal tender status. Eligible for SIPP inclusion.

United States

Elemetal bars at .9999 purity meet the IRA fineness requirement (99.5%+ gold). The company's former LBMA accreditation supports the refiner qualification. However, as a discontinued brand, some IRA custodians may require additional verification. Buyers should confirm acceptance with their custodian. Capital gains are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28%. State sales tax exemptions apply in approximately 35 states.

Canada

GST/HST exempt at 99.5%+ purity. Capital gains taxed at a 50% inclusion rate.

Australia and New Zealand

GST-free at investment-grade purity (99.5%+ gold). The bar format and purity qualify in both countries.

European Union

VAT-exempt as investment gold at 995+ fineness under Directive 98/80/EC.

Singapore and Hong Kong

GST-exempt in Singapore under the IPM scheme (99.5%+ purity gold). No tax in Hong Kong.

Elemetal vs Currently Produced Gold Bars

The Elemetal bar's main competitive advantage is price. As a discontinued brand available only on the secondary market, Elemetal bars typically trade at lower premiums than currently produced bars from active refiners. The metal content is identical to any other 999.9 gold bar, and major dealers accept them for buyback at standard rates.

Against a 1 oz PAMP Fortuna bar or 1 oz Valcambi bar, the Elemetal bar carries a lower purchase premium but also commands a lower resale premium. Swiss-refined bars benefit from stronger brand recognition, particularly outside North America. A buyer selling an Elemetal bar in London or Singapore will find that dealers price it as a generic verified gold bar rather than a brand-name product.

Compared to a 1 oz Heraeus bar or 1 oz C.Hafner bar, the Elemetal bar is more commonly encountered in North American dealer inventory. European buyers are less likely to come across Elemetal products. The German-refined bars have stronger distribution across European dealer networks.

For cost-focused buyers in the United States and Canada, the Elemetal bar offers a practical proposition: 999.9 fine gold from a formerly LBMA-accredited refinery, sealed in its original assay packaging, at a premium that undercuts most branded competitors. The trade-off is a thinner liquidity profile on resale, particularly outside North America, and a brand name that no longer carries active production behind it.