# Assay stamp (also mostly used in German; assay = examination and determination as to weight, quality, measure, etc.)

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- Post ID: 590697
- Modified: 2023-07-25T20:58:34+00:00
- Language: en

## Definition

Stamp, seal of authenticity (hallmark) on bars of precious metals in general and gold bars in particular (a stamped impression on the surface of a precious metals bar that indicates the producer, serial number, weight, and purity of metal content). The hallmark testifies that the metal comes from a recognized refinery (refinery: an industrial plant for purifying crude noble metals). The hallmark is an indispensable prerequisite for the marketability of gold and platinum bars. - However, because hallmarks on counterfeited ingots have been cleverly imitated, refineries now use an additional marking on higher-weight ingots that can be deciphered only with special reading equipment. - The proportion of counterfeit ingots - the metal piece consists here in the core of inferior material such as iron and has then as a rule only a coating of precious metal - is estimated in the worldwide trade outside the banks at more than seventy percent. When purchased through a bank, there is a guarantee of authenticity in Germany; cases of counterfeit pieces have so far been quite rare here. - See Bullion, London Good Delivery Standard, Wardein. Attention: The financial encyclopedia is protected by copyright and may only be used for private purposes without express consent! University Professor Dr. Gerhard Merk, Dipl.rer.pol., Dipl.rer.oec. Professor Dr. Eckehard Krah, Dipl.rer.pol. E-mail address: info@ekrah.com https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Ernst_Merk https://www.jung-stilling-gesellschaft.de/merk/ https://www.gerhardmerk.de/

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