Bullion Purity & Hallmarks
Understanding Precious Metal Purity, Fineness, and Hallmarks (2026 Guide)
Purity and hallmarks are two of the most important factors when buying or selling bullion. They determine a product’s authenticity, value, and eligibility for investment or IRA use. Whether you’re purchasing gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, understanding purity standards helps you avoid overpaying and ensures you’re getting genuine bullion.
This guide explains how purity is measured, what hallmarks mean, and how to verify authenticity before you buy.
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What Is Bullion Purity?
Bullion purity refers to the percentage of a precious metal contained in a coin, bar, or round. It is typically expressed as either:
- Fineness (e.g., 0.999 or 0.9999)
- Karat (used for gold jewelry, e.g., 24k, 22k)
Common Purity Levels
- Gold: 0.9999 (24k), 0.999, 0.9167 (22k)
- Silver: 0.999, 0.9999, 0.900 (junk silver)
- Platinum: 0.9995
- Palladium: 0.9995
Higher purity generally means higher value, but liquidity and premiums also depend on brand and product type.
What Are Hallmarks?
A hallmark is a stamped marking that identifies the mint, purity, weight, and sometimes the serial number of a bullion product. Hallmarks are essential for verifying authenticity and ensuring the product meets industry standards.
Typical Hallmarks Include:
- Mint mark – identifies the producing mint
- Purity stamp – e.g., “9999” or “.999”
- Weight – e.g., “1 oz” or “100 g”
- Metal type – gold, silver, platinum, or palladium
- Serial number – common on bars for traceability
Why Purity and Hallmarks Matter
Authenticity
Hallmarks help confirm that a product is genuine and produced by a reputable mint.
Pricing
Purity directly affects melt value and market pricing.
Liquidity
Well‑known hallmarks (e.g., PAMP, RCM, Perth Mint) are easier to sell.
IRA Eligibility
Only certain purity levels qualify for self‑directed IRAs.
How to Verify Bullion Purity
1. Check the Hallmarks
Look for purity, weight, mint mark, and serial number (if applicable).
2. Buy from Reputable Dealers
Established dealers source directly from mints and refiners.
3. Use Non‑Destructive Testing
Methods include:
- XRF analysis
- Ultrasonic testing
- Magnetic resistance testing
- Caliper and weight checks
4. Avoid Unknown or Unmarked Bullion
Unmarked bars or rounds carry higher risk and lower resale value.
Common Hallmarks by Mint
PAMP Suisse
- Lady Fortuna design
- Serial number
- Assay card
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)
- Maple Leaf emblem
- Micro‑engraved security marks
- Radial line patterns
Perth Mint
- Swan logo
- High‑security packaging
Valcambi
- Square logo
- Serial number
- Assay card
Explore More Bullion Guides
- Gold Bullion
- Silver Bullion
- Platinum Bullion
- Palladium Bullion
- Bullion vs Coins
- Bullion Storage
- How to Buy Bullion
- How to Sell Bullion
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Final Thoughts
Purity and hallmarks are the foundation of bullion investing. By understanding how they work — and how to verify them — you can buy with confidence, avoid counterfeits, and protect your long‑term investment in 2026 and beyond.