New in our shop: vintage gold bars
We've added a new product category to our range: vintage gold bars. These are rare, unique gold bars with a history - stamped with the marks of well-known Swiss banks and refiners that are no longer produced. This is our first batch, and we've gathered answers to the most common questions below so you know exactly what you're buying.
A gold bar can also make a meaningful gift: since each piece has its own year of manufacture, you can choose one to mark a birth year, for example. This year, bars made in 1986 turn 40 years old and the 1996 bar turns 30.
What are vintage gold bars?
Vintage gold bars are individually sourced, cast gold bars stamped with the marks of well-known Swiss banks and refiners - including Bank Leu, Credit Suisse, Union Bank of Switzerland and Valcambi. Unlike new bars, each vintage bar is unique, with its own maker, year of manufacture and surface patina.
How does a vintage bar differ from an ordinary investment gold bar?
In metal content they are the same 999.9 investment gold as new bars. The difference is in rarity and history: the markings on vintage bars are no longer produced, and many of them carry a name that no longer exists in its original form. New bars are continually manufactured; vintage pieces are not.
Why is a vintage bar priced higher than a new bar?
The price of a vintage bar consists of the daily value of the gold plus a premium on top. The premium is higher than on a new bar because you are paying for rarity and history, not just the metal. The number of pieces on the market is limited and no more will be made, which is typical of items that carry collector value. The price varies according to the bar's rarity and the rarest markings are the most valuable.
Why are these bank names no longer in use?
Many of the markings on the bars belong to a name that has passed into history:
- Bank Leu merged into Credit Suisse.
- The Union Bank of Switzerland name passed into history in the 1998 banking merger.
- Credit Suisse was absorbed by UBS in 2023.
This is exactly what makes the bars appealing to collectors: bars stamped with these marks are no longer produced.
Are the bars genuine, and how has this been verified?
Yes. The authenticity of every vintage bar has been verified by Voima Refining, and the weight has been separately checked. This means you can buy a historical piece with the same confidence as a new bar.
What is the fineness of the gold bars?
The bars are stamped to a fineness of 999.9, meaning they are investment gold. Because of this, the sale is exempt from VAT.
Is the sale exempt from VAT?
Yes. Because the bars are 999.9 investment gold, no VAT is applied to their sale.
Does the bar come with a certificate?
Yes, each bar is delivered with an original certificate of authenticity.
Can I choose a specific bar?
Yes. Because each vintage bar is unique, we present the details and photos of each one per product. You can choose exactly the piece whose maker, year or appearance appeals to you. Once a bar is sold, the same piece will not return to sale.
How is a vintage bar delivered?
You can collect the bar free of charge from the Voima Supply office. If you would like the bar delivered, please contact us before placing your order and we will provide an estimate of the delivery costs. Because the value of the bar exceeds the insurance limit of our standard delivery options, delivery for these products is always arranged separately.
Who are vintage gold bars for?
They suit both the investor and the collector. For the investor they offer 999.9 investment gold free of VAT; for the collector they also offer history and rarity not found in new bars. Thanks to its unique year of manufacture, a bar also makes a meaningful gift - chosen to mark a birth year, for example.
Explore our current selection of vintage gold bars here.