Heraeus Precious Metals refinery stands at the forefront of the global precious metals sector. Renowned as one of the premier refiners worldwide, Heraeus boasts a substantial gold refining capacity, processing between 400 and 500 tons annually. Its refined products serve diverse industries, spanning automotive, pharmaceuticals, and jewelry.

In addition to its industrial contributions, Heraeus crafts an extensive array of investment-grade gold and silver bullion bars, esteemed globally for their exceptional purity and exquisite craftsmanship. Heraeus plays a pivotal role in the German and Swiss gold markets, holding partial ownership of the esteemed Argor-Heraeus mint.

History of Heraeus Mint

The Heraeus Mint began in 1660 in Hanau, Germany when Isaac Heraeus acquired a pharmacy. Shortly after, he established his pharmacy, which gained renown in Hanau, solidifying Isaac Heraeus as one of Germany’s earliest pharmacists and entrepreneurs. Franz, Isaac’s son, introduced precious metals to the family business. In 1694, he began supplying fine gold to the French church in Hanau for gilding purposes.

Generations later, Wilhelm Carl Heraeus took the reins of the pharmacy, elevating it into one of the world’s foremost family enterprises. Recognizing the high demand for platinum in jewelry and industry, Wilhelm innovated a solution for melting platinum, earning him the title of the ‘first German platinum smelter.’ Under the banner of W. C. Heraeus, his company attracted clientele from around the globe, catering to jewelry and dental manufacturers, chemical laboratories, and beyond. Heraeus’s platinum production surged from 20-50 kg per year to over 900 kg between 1870 and 1888, with ongoing experimentation in platinum applications.

Wilhelm Carl’s successors expanded Heraeus’s reach into the United States and diversified its offerings in precious metals. By 1902, Heraeus had become the world’s largest platinum smelter, later branching into a diverse range of products after World War I. In 1985, Heraeus Holding GmbH was established to oversee the company’s five divisions. Subsequent restructuring in 2001 resulted in the formation of Heraeus Precious Metals and Heraeus Materials Technology.

In 2022, a collaboration between BASF and Heraeus led to the creation of BASF Heraeus Metal Resource Co. Ltd. This company is focused on recovering precious metals from spent automotive catalysts, highlighting the refinery’s commitment to sustainability.

Today, Heraeus Precious Metals is renowned for producing some of the world’s most sought-after bullion investment products, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars.

Bullion products from Heraeus

Heraeus bullion products are celebrated globally for their outstanding quality, purity, and craftsmanship. Their lineup of investment-grade precious metals encompasses:

Gold Bars: Heraeus crafts cast and minted gold bars in various sizes and weights, ranging from small fractional bars like the 1g Heraeus Gold Bar to larger investment-grade bars like the 1kg Heraeus Gold Bar. Each gold bar boasts high purity levels, typically .9999 fine gold, and exceptional German craftsmanship. They feature the mint’s logo, weight, and purity inscriptions.

Silver Bars: Heraeus produces silver bars through minting or casting, depending on size. All silver bars maintain 999.9 purity. Smaller bars, ranging from 1oz to 100g, come as minted bars and are packaged in blister packaging.

Platinum Bars: Heraeus offers minted platinum bars in four denominations: 1 oz, 100g, 500g, and 1 kg, all with 999.5 purity.

MultiCard: Heraeus Multicards, like the 5x1g Multicard, can be easily divided into smaller 1g gold bars as needed, providing enhanced investment flexibility. Each Multicard includes several 1g 24-carat gold bars with 999.9 purity.

CombiBar®: Heraeus CombiBars®, like the 20x1g CombiBar, consists of multiple 1g minted gold bars fused to create one large bar. Each 1g segment can be effortlessly separated, offering flexibility similar to the Multicard.

Kinebar®: Heraeus Kinebars®, like the 20g Heraeus gold Kinebar, incorporate unique Kinegram hologram technology for added security. This hologram, renowned for its use in passports and banknotes, provides a distinctive shimmering effect and enhanced security.

Multidisc: The Heraeus Multidisc represents an advancement from the Multicard. It presents ten individually numbered bars of 24-carat, 999.9-purity gold in a rotating dispenser. This design enables the removal of one bar at a time without causing damage. The Multidisc offers a cost-effective option for investors, allowing the purchase of ten individual gold bars at a reduced price compared to buying them individually.

Heraeus bullion products design 

Heraeus precious metal bars are renowned for their exquisite designs and meticulous craftsmanship. Each bar proudly displays the mint’s name, ‘Heraeus,’ prominently at the top, followed by ‘Feingold’ and the bar’s purity level. Below, the company’s logo, featuring a beautiful bouquet of roses encircled by the words ‘Heraeus Edelmetalle Hanau,’ sits atop the product’s weight and unique serial number. Notably, the Heraeus logo distinguishes itself from the Argor-Heraeus logo, while unique products like the CombiBar, Kinebar, and Multidisc feature unique bullion bar designs.

Furthermore, Heraeus maintains its commitment to design excellence in its packaging, specifically crafted to safeguard the integrity and condition of its bullion products. Heraeus bullion bars are meticulously packaged in secure, tamper-evident materials, ensuring they reach investors and collectors around the globe in impeccable condition.

Heraeus mint reputation

Heraeus Precious Metals is renowned for its steadfast commitment to excellence, dependability, and sustainability. As a leading global refiner of precious metals, Heraeus maintains stringent purity and ethical sourcing standards. Its gold, silver, platinum, and palladium meet the criteria for Good Delivery, and the company holds associate membership with the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). Additionally, Heraeus’ refineries in Germany and Hong Kong are included on the platinum and palladium Good Delivery lists overseen by the London Platinum and Palladium Market (LPPM), with Heraeus Germany holding ordinary membership status.