Authenticity, packaging and certificates

A product’s authenticity cannot be judged from a single sign. Check whom you are buying from, exactly what is declared and which documents accompany the product. The invoice, packaging and markings serve different purposes; no single detail taken out of context is sufficient in every situation.

Start with the product’s identity

Match the manufacturer, weight, fineness and appearance against the specification of the individual product. For bars with a serial number, check that the corresponding markings on the bar and its packaging agree. Gold coins do not necessarily have individual serial numbers, so the absence of one is not, by itself, a defect.

A serial number identifies an individual piece; it is not independent proof of ownership. Keep the invoice and other purchase documentation. A photograph of an item or certificate cannot replace professional examination when there is doubt.

What does LBMA Good Delivery mean?

LBMA Good Delivery rules set standards for large bars and accepted refiners in the London market. A manufacturer’s inclusion on the current list of gold refiners is useful information about the manufacturer. It is not an individual certificate issued by the LBMA for every small retail bar.

Distinguish the refinery’s name on the list, the markings on the individual bar and the documents supplied with the product. The Good Delivery Rules explain the scope of the standard. Do not interpret the term “LBMA certificate” as a universal guarantee for every object bearing a familiar logo.

Blister pack, certificate and invoice

A manufacturer’s blister pack may combine protective packaging with certification details. Where a separate certificate is supplied, read it together with the product’s markings. The invoice documents the purchase from the seller. These documents complement one another, but do not serve identical purposes.

Before opening factory packaging, clarify whether doing so could affect subsequent examination or buyback terms. Do not clean or polish gold coins to “improve” their appearance; treatment can alter the product’s surface. If authenticity is in doubt, consult a professional before damaging the item or attempting home tests.

What accompanies a product from the Dunav Gold range?

Bars in our range come in their original factory packaging with a manufacturer’s certificate. Depending on the manufacturer and denomination, certification details may form part of the blister packaging or a separate document. Ducats are supplied in Dunav Gold packaging. Every product, including ducats, also comes with a Dunav Gold certificate. Check the individual product’s details on its page and keep the documentation after collection.

If you buy gold with a future sale in mind, ask in advance which packaging and documents the gold buyer requires and how examination is carried out. Damaged packaging does not, by itself, change the gold content, but may require a different assessment process. Storage and a future sale are therefore part of the same decision.