Comments on: Why does my 10-ounce silver bar weigh more than 10 ounces?

By: Troy Ounce

Troy Ounce — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:45:27 +0000

It’s interesting and curious that the Troy Ounce is still the international standard, even in countries that have “gone metric”.
It gets even more complex when you note that “one ounce gold” bullion coins that are said to contain one (troy) ounce, actually weigh even more because they are not made from pure gold, which would be too soft. They are made to contain one pure troy ounce of gold.

By: DJP

DJP — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:50:09 +0000

Because bars aren’t sold in regular ounces like you’re thinking of. Precious metals are sold in Troy ounces (should be stamped on your bar).

1 troy ounce = 1.1 ounces

By: terry

terry — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:55:01 +0000

Why does my 10-ounce silver bar weigh more than 10 ounces?

Because you are comparing apples to oranges.

By: Todd A

Todd A — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:58:04 +0000

Thank you for the interesting post. I had no idea an ounce wasn’t an ounce in all cases !

By: Early Retirement Extreme

Early Retirement Extreme — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:29:20 +0000

You usually pay for the silver content only, if it’s not pure. If it’s already marked in troy ounces (like the spot prices are), there’s no confusion. If it’s not (like junk silver), it’s usually never sold in troys, but in pounds or kilos of silver content. Actually it’s the same for gold. A Krugerrand is not a pure as a Maple so the former would be slightly heavier (and sell at a discount because it’s not pure).

By: mbhunter

mbhunter — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:51:32 +0000

Thanks for stopping by Matthew!

I don’t have any 10-ozt bars. I did see a 1,000-ozt bar on eBay once … offered to split the cost with another friend, but we’d need a band saw.

By: Matthew Sumpter

Matthew Sumpter — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:38:31 +0000

Thanks for the information. I didn’t know this, but it is very interesting.