BUYER'S GUIDE
Gold bar documents: markings, packaging and LBMA
One logo or the word ‘certificate’ cannot describe everything that matters about gold. A practical check connects the product, the offer and the purchase record. The aim is to know exactly what you are receiving, from whom and with which documented specifications.
Start with the written offer
Ask for the manufacturer, variant reference, weight and fineness. Establish whether the actual product has an individual serial number and where it appears. Not every small bar necessarily carries one, so request a description of the supplied variant rather than a general claim that everything is ‘certified’.
At handover, compare the product and packaging details with the confirmed order. Where a document refers to an individual number, check that it matches. Resolve missing or conflicting information with the seller before opening protective packaging or passing the item on.
Different documents answer different questions
A purchase record documents the transaction. Manufacturer paperwork describes the product or examination within its stated scope. Protective packaging helps you assess packaging condition. These roles can complement one another, but a receipt does not replace metal verification, and the appearance of a plastic pack alone does not prove authenticity.
Keep the offer, order confirmation and documents linked to the relevant piece. Your own inventory can include the handover date, piece count and photographs. Avoid publicly sharing complete serial numbers together with the location where your gold is stored.
What LBMA Good Delivery actually covers
LBMA publishes a list of refiners accredited for London wholesale-market standards. Its FAQ expressly distinguishes standard large bars from smaller pieces: a small bar produced by a listed refiner is not automatically a London Good Delivery bar. A refiner's listing and the status of an individual product are different claims.
When authenticity needs examination
An online listing and number matching are administrative checks, not physical tests of gold. If you have concerns, arrange an appropriate professional examination for that product. Scratching, drilling or opening the package at home is not a useful first step. Before ordering from AURELIS, request confirmation of the actual manufacturer and supplied documentation.
| Evidence | What to check |
|---|---|
| Offer | Manufacturer, variant, weight and fineness |
| Product and packaging | Matching markings and any numbers; packaging condition |
| Paperwork | Issuer, scope and connection to the actual piece |
Before sending an enquiry
- Do I know the exact product, rather than just its weight?
- Do the records clearly match the order?
- Am I distinguishing document verification from professional metal examination?
Sources and further reading
This guide helps compare products and order terms. It does not promise future returns or buyback.