100g Heraeus Gold Bar

The 100g Heraeus Gold Bar

Heraeus is a German precious metals refiner with roots stretching back to 1851, when the Heraeus family began processing platinum in Hanau. Today it is one of Europe's most established LBMA-accredited refineries, and its 100g gold bar sits firmly in the middle ground between the well-known Swiss brands and the more cost-focused generic alternatives. For buyers who want a recognised, liquid bar without paying the brand premium commanded by PAMP Suisse, Heraeus is one of the strongest options available.

The 100g format itself occupies a practical sweet spot in the gold bar market. At roughly 3.22 troy ounces, it is large enough to benefit from competitive premiums (typically 2-4% over spot) but small enough to remain accessible to private investors. Compared to 1oz gold bars, which carry premiums of 3-5%, the 100g size offers a meaningful cost saving per gram of gold acquired. Only 1kg bars consistently beat it on premium efficiency, and those require a far larger capital outlay.

Heraeus bars are minted (struck from rolled gold sheet), producing a clean, polished finish with precisely engraved markings. Each bar is sealed in a tamper-evident assay card bearing the bar's serial number, weight, purity, and assayer's mark. The 999.9 fine (four nines) purity meets the standard for LBMA-accredited retail gold bars and exceeds the minimum thresholds for IRA eligibility in the United States, GST exemption in Australia and New Zealand, and VAT exemption across the European Union.

Heraeus's German heritage gives it particular standing in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), where it is one of the most commonly stocked bars. Its LBMA accreditation ensures that the bar is equally liquid at dealers in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and North America, though in practice it is less widely carried by US dealers than the dominant Swiss brands.

100g Heraeus Gold Bar Specifications

Heraeus bars follow the standard layout for European minted bars: the obverse carries the Heraeus logo, weight, purity, and serial number, while the reverse displays the refiner's hallmark. The assay card integrates the certificate of authenticity, confirming the metal content and the assayer's verification. Keeping the assay card sealed is important for resale, as bars removed from their original packaging may require re-assaying at the buyer's expense.

The 999.9 purity is the retail standard for gold bars from major refineries. It exceeds the LBMA Good Delivery minimum of 995 fineness and meets all major tax exemption thresholds globally: 99.5% for IRA eligibility (US), GST exemption (Australia, Canada), and the EU Investment Gold Directive. Heraeus's minting process produces a clean, polished bar with sharp engraving, consistent with the finish expected from a refinery that has been operating for over 170 years.

Tax Treatment of the 100g Heraeus Gold Bar

Gold bars from LBMA-accredited refiners at 999.9 purity receive favourable tax treatment in most jurisdictions, though the details vary by country and form.

• United Kingdom: VAT-exempt as investment gold (995+ purity). However, gold bars are not CGT-exempt. Unlike UK legal tender coins such as the Britannia and Sovereign, gains on gold bars above the annual CGT allowance (currently £3,000) are taxable at 18-24% depending on income bracket. Gold bars are eligible for inclusion in a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension), which shelters gains from CGT.
• United States: No federal sales tax on bullion. State-level sales tax varies; roughly 35 states exempt bullion entirely. Gains on gold bars are taxed at the collectibles rate (maximum 28% for long-term holdings), not the lower rate that applies to stocks. The 100g Heraeus bar is IRA-eligible, as it exceeds the IRS minimum fineness of 99.5% and comes from an LBMA-accredited refiner. Must be held by an approved custodian.
• European Union: VAT-exempt under the EU Investment Gold Directive (Directive 98/80/EC) for gold bars of 995+ purity weighing 1g or more. Capital gains treatment varies by member state. Germany is particularly favourable: gains on gold held for more than 12 months are completely tax-free, making bars the most cost-efficient gold investment for German residents.
• Canada: GST/HST-exempt for gold bars at 99.5%+ purity. Capital gains are taxed at a 50% inclusion rate (50% of the gain is added to income).
• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold (99.5%+ purity). Subject to CGT, with a 50% discount for assets held longer than 12 months.
• New Zealand: GST-exempt for gold bars at 99.5%+ purity. No formal CGT, though the IRD may tax gains if bullion was acquired for the purpose of resale.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals (IPM) scheme for gold at 99.5%+ purity from LBMA-accredited refiners. No capital gains tax.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.
• South Africa: Gold bars are zero-rated for VAT purposes. CGT applies at a 40% inclusion rate for individuals.

100g Heraeus vs Valcambi, PAMP Suisse, and Perth Mint

The four most commonly available branded 100g gold bars are the 100g Valcambi, 100g PAMP Suisse, 100g Perth Mint, and the Heraeus. All four are 999.9 fine, LBMA-accredited, and come sealed in assay cards with individual serial numbers. The gold content is identical; the differences lie in brand premium, security features, and regional availability.

Heraeus typically sits at or slightly below Valcambi on price, and consistently below PAMP Suisse. PAMP commands the highest brand premium in the minted bar market, driven by the iconic Lady Fortuna design and VeriScan digital authentication. Valcambi, the world's largest precious metals refinery by throughput (processing over 2,000 tonnes annually), offers competitive pricing with a clean, minimalist design. Perth Mint bars carry the implicit backing of the Western Australian Government and are particularly competitive in Australasian markets.

On security features, the Heraeus bar relies on its sealed assay card and serial number. It lacks an equivalent to PAMP's VeriScan (microscopic surface fingerprinting), Argor-Heraeus's Kinegram holographic technology, or Metalor's BullionProtect ink system. For buyers who prioritise advanced authentication, the 100g Kinebar or 100g Fortuna may be worth the modest additional premium. For buyers focused on cost per gram, the absence of these features is precisely what keeps the Heraeus bar competitively priced.

Liquidity is strong across all four brands. In the UK and European markets, Heraeus is as liquid as Valcambi and more commonly stocked than Perth Mint. In North America, PAMP and Valcambi have stronger dealer networks. In Asia-Pacific, Perth Mint has a home-market advantage. All four brands are accepted by any reputable bullion dealer globally, so the practical liquidity difference is marginal at this weight class.

For German investors specifically, Heraeus offers a combination of domestic provenance, competitive pricing, and the German 12-month CGT exemption that makes it one of the most cost-efficient 100g gold bar options anywhere.