250 g Cast Gold Bar | Valcambi

250 g Valcambi Cast Gold Bar — large-format cast bar with raw surface texture, very low premium per gram and full LBMA accreditation

250 g of 999.9/1000 fine gold (.9999) in a cast bar format from Valcambi SA — a Swiss refinery with LBMA Good Delivery accreditation since 1968. Each bar carries an individual serial number and is delivered with an assay card confirming weight, fineness and authenticity.

The cast bar is produced by pouring molten gold into a graphite mould and allowing it to cool under controlled conditions — a method used for millennia and the oldest technique for shaping precious metal. Each piece has a unique, slightly rough surface texture that distinguishes it from minted bars with their smooth, mirror-like finish. The 250 g cast is the mid-point of Valcambi's cast bar series — offering a very low premium per gram at a one-off outlay that is a fraction of the cost of a kilo bar, making it one of the most popular cast formats among buyers building larger positions in bullion.

Technical specification

Why this product?

• Traditional casting technique — the cast bar is the oldest form of bullion bar, valued by buyers who appreciate the classic, raw character of precious metal. Each piece is unique thanks to the surface texture formed during metal solidification in the graphite mould.
• 999.9/1000 fineness (.9999) — identical purity standard to Valcambi's minted bars. The production technique does not affect fineness — both cast and minted bars contain the same amount of fine gold per gram.
• LBMA Good Delivery since 1968 — Valcambi meets the highest quality standards of the London Bullion Market Association regardless of production form.
• Very low premium per gram — the 250 g cast is the mid-point of the series. The premium is significantly lower than the 50 g and 100 g formats, while the one-off outlay remains well below that of a 500 g or kilo bar.
• Individual serial number — stamped directly on the bar and confirmed on the assay card, ensuring full product traceability on the secondary market and at resale.

Valcambi SA — Swiss precious metals refinery

Valcambi SA has operated since 1961 from Balerna in Canton Ticino, southern Switzerland. The refinery processes the four main precious metals — gold, silver, platinum and palladium — with an annual capacity exceeding 2,000 tonnes. It ranks among the world's largest and most recognised precious metals processors, serving central banks, state mints and global bullion dealers.

Valcambi obtained LBMA Good Delivery accreditation for gold in 1968. The refinery holds accreditations for all four main precious metals — one of the few worldwide with the complete set. The Balerna facility runs the entire production cycle — from refining through casting and minting to final packaging.

Valcambi produces both minted bars with a smooth surface and cast bars with a characteristic rough texture — both forms in identical 999.9/1000 fineness. The refinery operates responsible sourcing programmes in accordance with OECD Due Diligence and LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance standards, with regular independent audits ensuring full supply chain traceability.

Casting technology — cast bar vs. minted bar

The cast bar (pourbar) is produced by pouring molten gold at over 1,064 °C into a precision graphite mould. After controlled cooling, the bar is removed, cleaned and marked — the producer logo, weight, fineness and individual serial number are mechanically stamped into the surface.

Unlike minted bars, which are cut from a gold strip and struck in a press to achieve a smooth mirror finish, cast bars retain the natural surface structure formed during metal solidification. The result is a matte, slightly irregular texture — each piece is a visual one-off.

The casting technique is the oldest known method of shaping precious metal into standardised trade units — used from antiquity through to today's LBMA refineries. Modern Valcambi cast bars combine this traditional method with 21st-century quality control: each bar is weighed to 0.01 g accuracy and spectrometrically verified for fineness.

For larger weights such as 250 g, the casting process requires precise control of mould temperature and pour rate to ensure uniform density and correct solidification across the full cross-section of the bar. The result is a solid, substantial cast bar with a pronounced raw aesthetic that stands apart from smooth minted bars of the same weight.

Formats and weights — Valcambi cast gold bars

Valcambi SA produces cast gold bars in five weights: 50 g, 100 g, 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg. The cast bar series complements the full range of minted bars (0.5 g to 1 kg) and the CombiBar format.

The 250 g format is the mid-point of the series — the weight at which the premium per gram drops markedly compared with 50 g and 100 g, while the one-off outlay does not yet reach the level of 500 g or kilo bars. It is the most common choice among buyers building positions systematically — acquiring several bars at regular intervals.

A full overview of available weights can be found in the gold bullion bars category. Current precious metals prices at precious metals prices.

What to consider before buying?

Before purchasing, check the current gold price and compare the product price with the spot price. The premium over spot for the 250 g format is markedly lower than for 50 g and 100 g cast bars — the difference reflects scale efficiency and a smaller share of packaging and logistics costs in the per-gram price.

The matte, slightly rough surface is a natural feature of the casting process. In larger weights, the texture is more pronounced — fine irregularities and solidification marks are more visible on the larger surface area, highlighting the unique character of each piece. For resale, what matters is the individual serial number, assay card and producer reputation (Valcambi, LBMA Good Delivery).

Why GoldInvest24?

• Producers with LBMA Good Delivery accreditation — Valcambi, PAMP, Argor-Heraeus, Heraeus, Umicore and other world-renowned refineries.
• Wide range of weights and forms — minted, cast and CombiBar bars from 0.5 g to 1 kg in gold, plus silver bars and bullion coins.
• Three language versions of the shop — PL, DE, EN — with complete product descriptions.
• Live precious metals prices — gold, silver, platinum and palladium in real time.
• Insured shipping and discreet packaging with every order.

Comparison table — Valcambi cast gold bars

FAQ — Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a cast bar and a minted bar?

A cast bar is produced by pouring molten gold into a mould, giving it a matte, slightly rough surface — each piece is unique. A minted bar is cut from a gold strip and struck in a press, producing a smooth mirror finish. Both forms contain identical 999.9/1000 gold per gram and are fully tradable on the bullion market.

What is the fineness of the 250 g Valcambi cast gold bar?

The bar is made of 999.9/1000 fine gold (.9999) — the highest purity standard in bullion bars, identical across all Valcambi weights and production forms.

What are the dimensions of the 250 g Valcambi cast gold bar?

The bar measures approx. 56 × 86 × 7 mm. Due to the casting process, dimensions may vary slightly between pieces — this is a natural feature of the production technique.

Why is the premium per gram lower for the 250 g format than for 50 g and 100 g?

Fixed costs of production, packaging and handling are spread across a larger amount of metal. The higher the weight, the smaller the share of those costs in the per-gram price — premiums therefore decrease systematically as bar weight increases.

What weights are available for Valcambi cast gold bars?

Valcambi SA produces cast gold bars in five weights: 50 g, 100 g, 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg. The 250 g format is the mid-point of the series — combining a very low premium with moderate one-off outlay. All weights have identical fineness of 999.9/1000 (.9999).

Is the 250 g cast gold bar VAT-exempt?

Yes. Gold bullion in bar form meeting the conditions of EU Directive 98/80/EC is exempt from value added tax — regardless of whether the bar is cast or minted.

How do I buy the 250 g Valcambi cast gold bar from GoldInvest24?

Simply add the product to your basket and complete the order. Before purchasing, check the current gold price and compare the premium with other weights in the gold bullion bars category.