How Gold Bars and Gold Coins Are Made - A Video Guide

Munze Osterreich flagship products: Vienna Philharmonic investment gold coin, 250, 500 and 1,000 gram investment gold bars

A look inside the manufacturing processes behind gold bars, gold coins and gold wafers.

The gold and silver ingot production process

Gold and silver ingot production uses size-sorted gold or silver granules that are precisely weighed. A robotic arm then delivers the precious metal granules into the casting moulds. As the moulds enter the continuous-operation smelting furnace, the granules melt and fill the mould. Once cooled, a robotic arm lifts the finished gold or silver bar from the mould, and the ingot passes to the polishing station. The manufacturer's logo, weight data and other specifications are then stamped onto the top of the bar, after which a rotary engraving head applies the serial number. The video below shows an automated gold and silver ingot production line.

Perth Mint, Australia

The following video was filmed at the Australian Perth Mint facility and shows the production of 100-gram Perth Mint gold wafers. The designs are applied to the surface of the semi-finished 100-gram gold wafers using a high-pressure stamping press. The reverse features an attractive jumping kangaroo design, while the Perth Mint logo is stamped onto the obverse. Perth Mint gold wafers, packaged with a certificate, are produced in seven sizes: 5, 10 and 20 grams, 1 ounce, 50 and 100 grams, and 10 ounces.

Argor Heraeus, Switzerland

This video was filmed at the Argor-Heraeus facility in Mendrisio, southern Switzerland, and shows the production of 100-gram stamped wafers. The wafers are cut from gold sheet, then after weight verification the gold wafer is placed into its packaging, which also serves as the certificate. The video also includes a brief scene of coin production. Designs are pressed into the blank, or unstruck, gold coins using high-pressure machinery.

Münze Österreich Mint, Vienna

In the CoinWeek video, a detailed look at how the 1-ounce Vienna Philharmonic gold coin is made. The more than 800-year-old mint is located in the heart of Vienna.

The process begins with the production of blank coins. At any given time, approximately 40 million dollars' worth of gold is present in this room. "Blank" means unstruck, or plain. The blanks are produced from rolled gold sheet wound onto coils. A machine punches the unstruck coins from the gold sheet, and the perforated sheet is then returned for melting and re-rolled into new sheet, ensuring the offcuts are fully recycled. The punched, unstruck 1-ounce coins are washed to prepare them for the next stage of production.

Manufacturing continues in the striking room. The footage shows a broken die being replaced. In coin production, it is standard for the steel dies to become damaged under the extreme pressure. When this happens, not only the damaged part but both halves of the die are replaced. After the changeover, a few trial pieces are struck to verify that the die has been installed correctly, and then production resumes. The precision striking press produces approximately 1 one-ounce gold coin per second. The freshly struck coins slide onto grooved plastic trays, which are then transferred to the quality control and packaging room. Quality control inspectors hold tulle paper over the coins to make any scratches more visible, and they also inspect every single coin with a hand magnifier. The finished coins are then loaded into coin tubes in a few quick movements and sealed.