100g Platinum Bar

100g Platinum Bar: frequently asked questions

Is platinum currently cheaper than gold?

Platinum has not always traded below gold; for many years the two metals were close in price or platinum traded higher. The relationship shifted as industrial demand patterns changed: platinum is used heavily in diesel autocatalysts and chemical processing, while gold's price is driven more by financial demand and central bank buying. Because platinum demand is so tied to industrial cycles, its price behaves differently from gold.

Why is platinum harder to buy and sell than gold or silver?

Platinum has a much thinner investor market than gold or silver. Fewer dealers stock it, trading volumes are lower, and the pool of buyers is smaller, which can mean wider bid-ask spreads at resale. Industrial uses (principally autocatalysts and chemical processing) dominate platinum demand, so the market is less driven by retail investor flows than gold or silver.

What is the purity of a generic 100g platinum bar and is it investment grade?

A generic 100g platinum bar is typically 999.5 fine (99.95% pure platinum), which meets the LBMA good delivery standard for platinum. Most bars at this weight are cast (poured from molten metal) rather than minted (struck), giving them a rougher finish but a lower premium over spot than decorative minted bars.

Is there VAT or capital gains tax on platinum bars?

Tax treatment varies by country. In the UK, platinum bars carry 20% VAT, and gains are subject to CGT at 18% or 24% depending on your income, with a £3,000 annual allowance. In Canada, investment-grade platinum is GST-free (0%), and 50% of any gain is included in taxable income. US investors pay up to 28% federal CGT on long-term gains.