A proven, established name in the business of gold, Engelhard has been around for much longer than many of the other companies that are dominating the markets today. The name evokes respect and reverence, given its heritage and proud history.
Engelhard is a name familiar to gold dealers and investors from many different parts of the world. While no longer an independent company, Engelhard bullion has been traded and cherished for decades. Whether you’re interested in gold bars, ingots or rounds, Engelhard bullion is worth a look.
Background
Established in 1902 by Charles Engelhard Sr. in Newark, New Jersey, the Engelhard Company quickly became one of the world’s largest refiners and fabricators of platinum, silver and gold. Always on the forefront of innovation, Engelhard was also an early pioneer in specialized milled silver and silver alloys.
Engelhard became a Fortune 500 company before being acquired by BASF Chemical in 2006 for $5 billion. Today, Engelhard bullions that were minted before the takeover are still in circulation, as are some of the first bullion rounds ever minted and made available to the public. The company’s bars and rounds are very much in demand, and educated gold investors consider them a very safe bet, given the industry-wide recognition enjoyed by the company.
Products
Engelhard has a wide selection for those looking to invest in physical gold. Even though the company does not manufacture products under its own brand anymore, you can still find Engelhard gold bullion in a number of sizes, including 1oz Prospector, 2oz cast bars, 1oz bar, 1oz rounds, 1g bars, and 5g bars, just to name a few.
Engelhard bars are 99.99% pure, and may be found with various adornments. Some proudly proclaim “Engelhard Industries,” whereas others are designed with a large “E” on the front, or a depiction of an Eagle flying over an American flag.
Depending on the year and location of minting, some bars may have a smooth surface on the back, or may be engraved with the company name. Most bars come with assay cards that guarantee weight and purity, and some also have serial numbers printed on the bar itself.
A Two Ounce Engelhard Gold Bar
Engelhard gold bars are quite difficult to locate, and have become something of a connoisseur’s choice recently. Collectors looking to add to their personal collections find Engelhard bars the perfect way to showcase their refined tastes and comprehensive knowledge of the gold industry.
Premiums
In the gold industry, virtually all gold ingots, irrespective of the manufacturer, are priced slightly higher than the intrinsic value of the gold itself. This difference, referred to as a ‘premium,’ is determined by the reputability and acceptance of the manufacturer. Understandably, products from more renowned companies carry higher premiums
In some cases, the reseller may also place a small premium on gold ingots. Engelhard bullions demand a higher premium than many others, especially older bars that were hand cast or ones that are no longer in production. Before buying Engelhard-branded gold bullion, ensure you know what kind of Engelhard bar you are buying, and always ask for an assay card to help you verify when and where the bar was cast.
More widely available Engelhard gold pieces may trade for only $25-$50 over spot per ounce, while rarer pieces may trade for hundreds or thousands of dollars over the spot price of gold.