Argos-Heraeus Mint

History of Argor-Heraeus

Founded in 1951 as Argor SA, Argor-Heraeus initially focused on refining gold and other precious metals. In 1960, an 80% share of the company was acquired by the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS), which then went on to have full ownership of the company by 1973. In 1986, it merged with Heraeus Group, a German technology group, to become Argor-Heraeus and moved its headquarters to Mendrisio.

In 1999, UBS exited ownership of the company. That same year, Commerzbank International purchased a 35% share in the company with another 35% held by the precious metals company, Heraeus, and the remaining 30% controlled by Argor-Heraeus management. In 2002, the Austrian Mint purchased interest in the company. It is now jointly owned by Heraeus, Commerzbank, the Austrian Mint, and Argor-Heraeus management.

Argor-Heraeus bullion products

Argor-Heraeus processes and refines gold, silver, platinum, and palladium from mining sources as well as scrap & recyclable sources. The company refines gold up to 99.99% and 99.999% purities, silver up to 99.9%, and platinum and palladium up to 99.95%. Its customer base includes mining companies, bullion banks, central banks, mints, jewelry and watch companies, trading houses, and industrial consumers.

Argor-Heraeus offers a wide range of bullion products, including cast and minted gold bars, silver bars, platinum and palladium bars, kinebars, and multicard bar products for both wholesale and retail markets. Some of the mint's most popular products include:

• Gold Bars: Argor-Heraeus gold bars are high-purity and available in a range of sizes, from small 1oz Argor-Heraeus gold bars to larger sizes such as the 1kg Argor-Heraeus gold bar. The 50g Argor-Heraeus cast gold bar is an exceptional example of their craftsmanship.
• Kinebars: Kinebars are minted gold bars that include a refractive security and design feature on the face. The 100g gold Kinebar by Argor-Heraeus has a fineness of 999.9.
• Silver Grains: Silver grain from Argor-Heraeus is ideal for artisans, craftsmen, and industrial purposes including jewelry-making. While not intended for investment purposes, it's a fun and original product that showcases their high-quality silver.
• Palladium Bars: Palladium bars, like the 1oz Argor-Heraeus palladium bar, are valued for their rarity and industrial applications. These bars are minted with high levels of purity and are sought after by investors looking to diversify their portfolios.

In addition to bullion bars, Argor-Heraeus also offers custom minting services for clients seeking personalized bullion products or corporate branding solutions.

Argor-Heraeus mint reputation

Argor-Heraeus is highly regarded within the precious metals industry for its commitment to quality, integrity, and innovation. The mint is accredited by various international organizations, including the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), and the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM).

It’s also a member of the “Association Suisse des Fabricants et Commerçants de Métaux Précieux” (ASFCMP), the Swiss Association of Precious Metals Manufacturers and Traders. These accreditations are a symbol of the mint's adherence to rigorous standards of purity, quality, and responsible sourcing practices.

Additionally, Argor-Heraeus is one of only five refinery members of the LBMA’s good delivery referee panel which works alongside the organization to maintain quality standards worldwide. The refinery’s gold bars and silver bars have been accredited as Good Delivery since 1961, and their palladium and platinum bars are also deemed Good Delivery by the LBMA, providing assurance of quality and craftsmanship.

Over its numerous years in operation, Argor-Heraeus has earned a reputation for excellence in refining and minting precious metals. The refinery serves a diverse clientele of investors, financial institutions, central banks, and industrial manufacturers worldwide and their products are highly-regarded and trusted for authenticity, liquidity, and quality, making them sought-after assets for investors seeking to preserve wealth and diversify portfolios.

Argor-Heraeus design

The refinery’s bullion products are recognized not just for their purity and quality but also their distinct, elegant designs. When buying an Argor-Heraeus gold bar, you'll find that the most notable products are minted bars, cast bars, and gold Kinebars. Each of these feature slightly different designs, however there are some similarities.

• Logo & branding: The Argor-Heraeus logo is incorporated into the design of its bullion bars. This includes a stylized AH in the inner ring of a two-ring circle with Argor-Heraeus SA written in the outer ring. Gold bars from Argor-Heraeus also feature the weight, purity along with inscriptions like "Switzerland" and "fine gold", assayer's mark, and unique serial number engraved on the bar, depending on the product. The reverse of bars typically features no inscriptions and is left blank on both classic cast bars and classic minted ingots.
• Assay certificates & cards: Minted gold bars from Argor-Heraeus are typically packaged inside the assay card capsule packaging. This includes a plastic capsule in the center to display the gold bar. Along the border is the assay card with the words 'Argor-Heraeus' on the top left corner and the slogan 'The golden link' underneath. At the bottom is the serial number matching that on the gold bar. The obverse of the assay card features the weight, fineness, and certified assayer who assessed the product after production. A small Swiss flag is also printed on the obverse.
• Collectible series: In addition to its standard cast and minted gold bars, Argor-Heraeus also produces collectible or limited-edition bars with unique designs, themes, or finishes. These appeal to collectors and investors looking to acquire rare or aesthetically appealing pieces. They include the 1oz Year of the Dragon Argor-Heraeus gold bar with its intricate dragon design and the 10oz Year of the Rabbit Argor-Heraeus gold bar.

Buy Argor-Heraeus bullion products from StoneX Bullion

We’re proud to offer an impressive range of Argor-Heraeus bullion products, including cast gold bars, minted gold bars, silver grain, and palladium bars, amongst others. As an affiliate member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), StoneX Bullion stands out amongst competitors for our commitment to good trading practices and high quality products. Wherever possible, we source directly from producers to maintain competitive prices while making quality a priority.

Browse our collection of investment-grade Argor-Heraeus products, such as the 10x1g Argor-Heraeus GoldSeed and 5g Gold Kinebar, and make an investment that will stand the test of time.