If you’re looking to buy a gold bar, choosing the right refinery is just as important as timing the market. Among the world’s most trusted gold bar manufacturers, PAMP Suisse and Valcambi stand out for their quality, purity, and global recognition.
Both brands produce investment-grade gold bars accepted worldwide, but which gold bar is the better choice for your investment strategy?
In this guide, we compare PAMP and Valcambi gold bars to help you decide which option best fits your goals when buying gold online.
About PAMP Suisse Gold Bars
PAMP Suisse (Produits Artistiques Métaux Précieux) is one of the most recognised precious metals refineries in the world. Founded in Switzerland in 1977, PAMP quickly built a reputation for producing high-quality gold bars with exceptional craftsmanship.
PAMP was the first refinery to introduce artistic designs on minted gold bars. Its iconic Lady Fortuna design, depicting the Roman goddess of fortune, is now one of the most recognisable gold bar designs globally.
Today, PAMP operates as part of the international MKS PAMP Group and manufactures gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion products.
PAMP Gold Bar Range
Investors looking to buy a PAMP gold bar can choose from a wide variety of products:
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Gold bars: Minted and cast gold bars ranging from 2.5g up to 250g, struck in 999.9 fine gold.
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Multigram gold bars: Divisible gold bar cards composed of multiple 1g bars, offering added flexibility.
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Limited editions: Including themed and collector-focused gold bar series.
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Silver, platinum, and palladium bars.
PAMP Gold Bar Design and Security
PAMP gold bars are known for their premium finish and attention to detail. Each minted gold bar includes:
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The Lady Fortuna design
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Weight and purity markings
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A unique serial number
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VERISCAN® technology, allowing buyers to authenticate their gold bar via microscopic surface data
Cast PAMP gold bars feature a more traditional appearance, focusing purely on function and investment value.
PAMP Suisse Reputation
PAMP gold bars meet LBMA Good Delivery standards and are trusted by investors, institutions, and central banks worldwide. PAMP is also one of the few refineries appointed as an official LBMA Good Delivery referee.
About Valcambi Gold Bars
Valcambi Suisse is the world’s largest precious metals refinery by production volume. Based in Switzerland, the refinery processes over 2,000 metric tonnes of precious metals annually, with gold accounting for the majority of output.
Valcambi was the first refinery to produce minted gold bars using fully automated technology, setting new standards for precision and consistency in gold bar manufacturing.
Valcambi Gold Bar Products
Valcambi offers a broad selection for investors looking to buy gold bars online:
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Gold bars: Minted and cast bars ranging from 1 oz up to 1 kg, produced in 999.9 fine gold.
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CombiBar® gold bars: Divisible gold bar sheets made up of multiple 1g bars, designed for maximum liquidity.
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Silver, platinum, and palladium bars
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Special edition gold coins and medals
Valcambi Gold Bar Design
Valcambi gold bars are recognised for their clean, minimalist aesthetic. Minted bars display:
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The Valcambi logo
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Weight, purity, and serial number
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A professional, investment-focused design
Cast gold bars have a simpler, hand-poured appearance, retaining all essential identification details.
PAMP vs Valcambi Gold Bars: Key Differences
Gold Purity and Weight Options
Both PAMP and Valcambi produce 24-carat gold bars (999.9 purity) in a wide range of sizes, from small 1g bars to large 1kg gold bars. This makes both brands suitable for first-time buyers and experienced investors alike.
Valcambi’s CombiBar® offers exceptional divisibility, while PAMP’s Multigram bars provide a similar level of flexibility.
Gold Bar Security and Authentication
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PAMP gold bars use VERISCAN®, an advanced authentication system accessible via smartphone.
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Valcambi gold bars use Paira Suisse digital fingerprinting technology, which is currently being rolled out across selected products.
From a security perspective, PAMP holds a slight advantage.
Design and Aesthetics
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PAMP appeals to buyers who value artistic design and brand prestige.
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Valcambi focuses on simplicity and function, ideal for investors prioritising metal content over appearance.
Pricing and Premiums
When you buy a gold bar, you pay a premium above the gold spot price.
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PAMP gold bars typically carry higher premiums due to design, brand value, and advanced security features.
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Valcambi gold bars generally offer lower premiums, making them attractive for investors aiming to maximise gold weight per investment.
Liquidity and Resale Value
Both PAMP and Valcambi gold bars are highly liquid and widely accepted globally.
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PAMP gold bars often retain a higher portion of their premium, especially Lady Fortuna designs.
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Valcambi gold bars are easy to resell and offer added flexibility through divisible formats.
Which Gold Bar Should You Buy?
The best gold bar depends on your investment priorities:
Choose
PAMP gold bars
if you:
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Value premium design and brand prestige
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Want advanced authentication features
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Are buying a gold bar as a gift
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Aim to retain higher resale premiums
Choose
Valcambi gold bars
if you:
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Want lower premiums when buying gold bars
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Focus on accumulating physical gold
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Prefer divisible gold bar formats
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Value simplicity and efficiency
Buy Gold Bars Online with Swiss Gold Market
At Swiss Gold Market, we offer a carefully selected range of investment-grade gold bars from the world’s most trusted LBMA-accredited refineries, including PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Argor-Heraeus, and The Perth Mint.
Why buy gold bars from Swiss Gold Market?
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Authentic, certified gold bars
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Transparent pricing linked to the gold spot price
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Simple and secure online purchasing
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Trusted refineries recognised worldwide
Explore our collection and buy gold bars online with confidence, choosing the gold bar that best matches your investment strategy.
