Frequently Asked Questions | Goldanalytix
Here you find answers to the most frequently asked questions on all topics related to precious metal testing. The questions and answers are neatly arranged according to key topics - so you can find what you are looking for very quickly.
Anonymous purchase only possible below 2000 Euros:
If the purchase of gold, silver or other precious metals in Germany is to remain anonymous, the price of the purchased precious metal must not exceed a price of 1.999.99 Euros. For any sum exceeding this amount, the dealer is required by the Money Laundering Act to record personal details. Most countries have their own limitations, which should be researched before buying.
For large gold bars, the dealer surcharge is lower:
If a fixed amount is to be invested in physical precious metals, it is advisable to buy bars that are as large as possible, as the dealer's markup is comparatively large for small bars. A 1-ounce bar costs about € 1770 (as of August 2023). 1 ounce of gold in the form of 1 - gram bars, on the other hand, costs 1840 Euros. The price per gram exceeds the price of an ounce significantly. For coins, the premiums are also higher than for bars because of the minting.
Buy gold coins or 995 gold bars instead of paying VAT:
In Germany, if gold is to be purchased in bar form, it makes sense to buy pure gold bars (99.5% gold content), as no VAT is due for this purity or more. Gold coins are exempt from VAT from a purity of 90% on, but only if they were minted after 1800 and are or were considered official currency in their country of origin. In addition, the price may not exceed the material value of the gold content by more than 80% (some collector coins have an even higher market value). When buying silver or other precious metals from commercial dealers, the usual 19% German VAT is always charged in Germany.
Jewellery and collector coins are mainly suitable for connoisseurs:
With jewellery and collector coins made of precious metals (e.g. antique or rare coins), it should be noted that the value of the piece is not only composed of the pure metal price, but other factors can also influence the value. For jewellery, for example, the quality of workmanship, the manufacturer, or an additional gemstone can drive up the price. With coins, such an increase in price can be caused by the age, the country of origin or the depicted motif. A certain amount of expertise is required to determine value, and possible increases in the value of new coins are usually associated with speculative risks.
Small objects are usually easier to sell:
Even though the premium for smaller objects is higher, they are often easier to sell. You can both turn part of the investment amount back into cash (cutting up large bars reduces the sale value) and, in social crises, better use the small pieces as barter items.
Buy from the dealer or check for authenticity yourself with private sellers:
It is advisable to buy gold and other precious metals from reputable dealers. Otherwise, if one would like to save e.g. the value added tax (amounts to with precious metals except gold after all 19%) by private purchase, it should be examined whether the precious metal is genuine. The necessary tests can either be done by yourself (e.g. with the GoldScreenSensor) or by a precious metal dealer.
Purchase gold locally instead of buying a fake on the Internet:
It is not advisable to buy precious metals via private online trading platforms such as Ebay or Amazon, as fraudsters have an easy game there. It often happens that customers assume they have made a good deal and then only receive a fake made of copper with a thin layer of gold. However, if there is ever a genuine offer on these platforms, it is usually overpriced, as platforms such as Ebay or Amazon always demand fees from sellers. A personal sales meeting is preferable to sending a package when buying privately to be able to verify authenticity. Scammers would not allow you to do your own verification nor give you a return policy.
Hallmarking is not essential, yet it is not unimportant:
Hallmarking is standard on newer coins, jewellery or bars. In addition to the fineness, it sometimes provides further information about the precious metal, e.g. which manufacturer it comes from, what material it is made of or when the piece was manufactured.