C.Hafner is a family business that has existed since 1850. The company is located near Pforzheim, Germany, which is also called the "Goldstadt" because of the presence of various refineries. C. Hafner stands not only for a long tradition, but also for experience and quality. The LBMA certification, the "made in Germany" award and the appearance make the bars of C. Hafner a sought-after investment. Unlike many other suppliers of precious metals, C.Hafner manufactures its ingots in its own production facility.
"Recycling is our philosophy" – says C. Hafner. Precious metals of C. Hafner are recovered from secondary materials, that is, from old gold such as jewelry, watches, or medical devices. The Good Delivery Status of the LBMA guarantees the absolute purity of the refined gold. Gold that enjoys this status is conflict-free: it comes from sources that are not guilty of human rights violations or criminal activities. In addition, C. Hafner produces virtually CO2-neutral and adopts various environmental protection measures in its production process.
Advantages of C.Hafner gold bars at a glance:
Buying gold bars from C. Hafner can be done in different weights. In general, the greater the weight, the lower the relative premium. The premium is the difference between the purchase price and the 'paper' precious metal price, also known as the spot price. The greater the weight, the less various costs weigh on the product. For example, it costs almost as much to produce a one-ounce gold bar as a one-kilo gold bar. But that doesn't mean you have to buy the heaviest bar you can afford, as it may be more practical to sell small bars (in parts). Smaller units are useful as a means of payment during unforeseen times.
If you have a large net worth, consider dividing the purchases between both large and small bars.
Gold bars of C. Hafner are provided with an LBMA good delivery certificate, a serial number and the number 999.9 referring to the purity tested. Because of these characteristics, gold bars of C.Hafner are traded worldwide and therefore the gold bars can be sold in almost every country in the world. At Holland Gold Sell your C. Hafner gold bars Easy at the best price via our website.
Our delivery specialist provides optimally secured and insured transport. Your order is continuously monitored along the way and discreetly handed over to the right person by means of a PIN code. Pick-up at the Alkmaar office and Rotterdam is also possible.
Holland Gold Safe facilitates insured storage of precious metals in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Singapore. All vault locations have the highest level of security. Go for certainty and convenience with Holland Gold Safe.
Do you want to sell your precious metal? We offer you the best price even if you have not bought the precious metals from us. Sell safely from home and receive your guaranteed price immediately.
You are welcome by appointment for a no-obligation consultation at one of our offices in Alkmaar, Rotterdam and Ellecom. We are happy to meet you personally and answer all your questions.
During consultations, we are often asked whether you would be better off Gold bars or Gold Coins can buy. It doesn't really matter much, since gold is just gold at the end of the day. Investment gold is exempt from VAT and, unlike silver, you won't be able to make any mistakes with this.
When purchasing your precious metal, it is important that you take into account the production costs and other premiums that are passed on in the price. For gold, the greater the gold weight, the more advantageous the premium. Large bars are cheaper per gram than smaller bars. This also applies to the well-known gold investment coins.
Within the eurozone, gold is exempt from VAT, provided it concerns gold bars with a purity of 24 karats and gold coins with a purity of at least 90%. The reason for this is that EU member states and the ECB classify gold as a form of financial asset that must remain freely tradable, similar to stocks and bonds.
Within the eurozone, silver, platinum, and palladium bars are not exempt from VAT and are therefore subject to 21% VAT. These metals have an industrial character and are considered raw materials. When purchasing silver, platinum, or palladium bars, you therefore pay 21% VAT, which cannot be reclaimed upon resale. However, we also offer silver, platinum, and palladium bars that are VAT-free. These are sold in combination with insured storage in Switzerland or Singapore — the most cost-effective option for both private and business investors.
For coins, there are two applicable VAT schemes: the margin scheme and the standard 21% VAT rate. Under the margin scheme, the dealer only charges VAT on the profit margin the difference between the selling price and the purchase price of the goods.
Platinum and palladium coins fall under the margin scheme. For silver coins, both schemes apply. From 2025 onwards, new silver coins will be subject to 21% VAT, as European VAT regulations are being harmonized. Older silver coins (from before 2025) remain under the margin scheme, making them cheaper than new coins.
Read more here about how to recognize the difference between these coins.
Physical silver, platinum, and palladium purchased through the precious metals account on the website or via the Holland Gold App are always VAT-free. This is because the metals you purchase are securely and fully insured while stored in Switzerland.
The most cost-effective option for both private and business clients is to purchase silver, platinum or palladium in combination with storage outside the EU, such as in Switzerland or Singapore. Because these bars are stored in bonded warehouses, no VAT is charged, meaning these bars are completely VAT-free!
Yes, all gold bars come with a certificate of authenticity. This certificate is not a separate document but is either part of the packaging or enclosed within it.
For smaller bars and all bars from C.Hafner, the certificate is integrated into a hard, sealed plastic case. Larger bars from Umicore and Argor-Heraeus include a printed certificate within a soft, sealed wrapper. Some certificates also feature security or holographic elements to further ensure authenticity. The details on the certificate always match those stamped on the bar itself.
Holland Gold exclusively sells gold bars produced by LBMA-accredited (London Bullion Market Association) refiners. The Good Delivery status is an internationally recognized standard that sets strict requirements for production, weight, and purity. This ensures that LBMA-approved gold bars can be traded globally without additional verification.
Each LBMA gold bar contains the following information:
Learn more in our Starter Guide – What am I buying?
The main reason people buy gold is to protect their wealth and preserve purchasing power. For thousands of years, gold has proven to be a reliable and enduring store of value. Unlike fiat currencies such as the euro or the dollar, which constantly lose value through inflation, gold maintains its purchasing power over time. A common example illustrating this is that 2,000 years ago, one could buy a fine tailored suit with a gold coin—and the same remains true today.
When governments print more money to finance debt, the money supply increases and the purchasing power of currency declines. While savings in the bank lose value, gold tends to preserve its worth and often rises along with inflation.
A recent example is the Dutch housing market: property prices have doubled or even tripled in recent years. Those who held gold experienced a similar increase in value, while money kept in the bank lost purchasing power.
Gold is known to perform well during periods of instability. The gold price rose sharply following the outbreak of COVID-19, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the recent unrest in the Middle East. Gold is a neutral asset—independent of any government or central bank, free of counterparty risk, and globally recognized as a store of value. While currencies can be devalued and government bonds carry default risk, gold generally retains its purchasing power.
Central banks have also been increasing their gold reserves for the same reason. They aim to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and protect themselves against geopolitical and monetary risks. The growing gold holdings of emerging economies such as China and India reflect their pursuit of financial sovereignty and stability in an increasingly uncertain world.
Of course, there are also periods when the gold price rises less or even falls. This typically occurs when the economy is performing well and debt levels are decreasing. For that reason, many investors view gold as insurance against difficult times—it provides stability when other assets come under pressure.
Want to learn more about why gold is a valuable investment? Read our Beginner’s Guide.
Holland Gold purchases gold from licensed mints and LBMA-accredited refineries. These market participants account extensively for how the gold was obtained. Refineries must comply with the Responsible Gold and/or Responsible Silver guidelines. The requirements of the Responsible Sourcing programme and the LBMA Good Delivery Rules for the way in which the bars are produced are becoming increasingly important.
Holland Gold takes the lead when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility.