100g Argor-Heraeus Platinum Bar

The 100g Argor-Heraeus Platinum Bar

The 100g Argor-Heraeus platinum bar contains 3.2151 troy ounces of 999.5 fine platinum, placing it in the upper tier of retail platinum products. At current prices, a bar at this weight represents a substantial commitment, roughly three times the cost of a 1 oz Argor-Heraeus platinum bar. The payoff is better premium efficiency: 100g bars typically carry premiums of 4-8% over spot, compared to 5-10% at 1 oz.

Argor-Heraeus is one of the major Swiss precious metals refiners, headquartered in Mendrisio, canton Ticino. The company holds both LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) accreditation for gold and silver and LPPM (London Platinum and Palladium Market) accreditation for platinum. Its bars are produced to LPPM Good Delivery standards and carry the refiner's hallmark, weight, purity, and a unique serial number.

The platinum bar market at 100g is niche. Fewer refiners produce platinum at this weight compared to gold, and dealer inventory is less consistent. The 100g size is more common in European markets, where metric denominations are standard, than in the US or UK, where troy ounce weights dominate. For buyers with the budget for this size, the per-gram premium savings over 1 oz platinum bars are meaningful, and the Argor-Heraeus name ensures strong resale credentials internationally.

100g Argor-Heraeus Platinum Bar Specifications

Argor-Heraeus was formed from the merger of two established refiners: Argor SA (founded 1951) and W.C. Heraeus (a German precious metals company tracing its roots to 1660). The combined entity operates from Mendrisio in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It is one of five LBMA-accredited refiners headquartered in Switzerland, alongside PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Metalor, and Cendres+Metaux.

The 999.5 purity is the universal standard for investment-grade platinum. It matches every sovereign mint platinum coin and the LPPM Good Delivery bar specification. Argor-Heraeus also produces its Kinebar line, which features a holographic security element on the reverse of the bar. The Kinebar hologram shows a moving image when tilted, providing a visual authentication layer that does not require any equipment or app to verify. Not all Argor-Heraeus bars carry the Kinebar feature, and availability at the 100g platinum weight may vary by dealer.

Tax Treatment for the 100g Argor-Heraeus Platinum Bar

Platinum bars are taxed differently from gold bars in several major markets. The 100g Argor-Heraeus qualifies for exemption where purity-based thresholds apply, but faces full sales tax in jurisdictions that do not extend investment metal exemptions to platinum.

Purchase Tax by Country

• United Kingdom: 20% VAT on purchase. Platinum is not covered by the investment gold VAT exemption. At the 100g price point, the VAT alone adds a substantial absolute cost. VAT-free vault storage is available from some dealers, where the platinum remains in a bonded facility and VAT is not charged until delivery is taken.
• United States: Most states (42+) exempt investment-grade precious metals, including platinum, from sales tax. 28% collectibles rate on long-term capital gains. IRA-eligible at 99.95%+ purity from LPPM-accredited refiners.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt at 99.5%+ purity.
• EU: Standard VAT applies (19-27%). No investment exemption for platinum as with gold.
• Australia: GST-free at 99%+ purity. The threshold is lower than for gold (99.5%), and all standard platinum bars exceed it.
• New Zealand: GST-exempt at 99%+ purity. No capital gains tax.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the IPM scheme for platinum at 99%+ purity from LPPM-accredited refiners. No CGT.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no duties, no CGT.
• South Africa: 15% VAT on platinum bars.

Capital Gains

In the UK, platinum bars are subject to CGT at 18-24%. The Platinum Britannia coin is CGT-exempt as legal tender. For investors concerned about CGT exposure on larger holdings, this creates a meaningful cost difference between bars and coins at the disposal stage. The annual CGT exemption (£3,000) does partially shelter smaller gains.

100g Argor-Heraeus vs PAMP Fortuna and Valcambi

Three Swiss refiners dominate the 100g platinum bar market. The Argor-Heraeus bar sits between PAMP and Valcambi in terms of premium and brand positioning.

The 100g PAMP Suisse Fortuna platinum bar carries the highest premiums of the three, reflecting PAMP's iconic Lady Fortuna design and VeriScan authentication technology. PAMP bars also tend to retain more of their brand premium at resale. For buyers who value authentication technology and design, PAMP is the premium choice. The VeriScan app can verify the bar's authenticity independently of its packaging, which is particularly useful for platinum given its visual similarity to less valuable white metals.

The 100g Valcambi platinum bar typically offers the lowest premiums among the three major Swiss options. Valcambi's refining capacity (over 2,000 tonnes annually) and high production volumes support competitive pricing. The bar comes in a standard assay card without the design distinction of the Fortuna or the Kinebar hologram. For investors buying purely for metal content at the lowest cost, Valcambi is the rational choice.

Argor-Heraeus occupies the middle ground. Its pricing typically sits between PAMP and Valcambi. The optional Kinebar hologram adds a security feature that requires no app or equipment, which is a practical advantage for buyers who want visual authentication without relying on proprietary technology. The Argor-Heraeus name carries strong recognition across European and Asian bullion markets.

All three bars share the same purity (999.5), the same LPPM accreditation, and similar liquidity at major dealers. The differences are brand premium, authentication features, and price. At the 100g level, where the absolute value of the bar is high, even a 1-2 percentage point premium difference translates into a meaningful dollar amount, making the lower-cost options more attractive for purely investment-driven buyers.