Collecting coins | numismatic | coins investment

Is there any difference between 1Troy ounce and 1 ounce of gold?

Many buyers are not even aware of this 

1 Troy Ounce is actually more than an ounce. Precious metals such as Platinium, Palladium, Gold and Silver are often sold by the troy ounce. Consumers usually are not aware the that an ounce of precious metal like gold, is more than the typical ounce found at places like the super markets.  In commonwealth countries, two systems for measuring weight are used.

The troy ounce which is mainly for precious metals like gold and silver. The other is called “avoirdupois” ounce for commodities such as salt, sugar etc. In other parts of the world like the USA, the common measurement used is the avoirdupois ounce. Sending parcel at the Post Office is one example - the avoirdupois ounce weight system. 16 avoirdupois ounces equals to a pound.

Avoirdupois weights - equal to 453.6 grams, or 14.583 troy ounces.

1 avoirdupois ounce = 437.5 grains, or 28.35 grams. 

1 avoirdupois pound equals 16 (avoirdupois) ounces or 453.59 grams. 

That is the equivalent to 14.58 “troy” ounces.  

The troy ounce is heavier than the ”avoirdupois” ounce. A typical 1 ounce American Silver Eagle coin for example is 1 troy ounce of Silver. Now if you were to compare this to 1 troy ounce in weight on a grocery store scale, you will notice that it weighs about 10% more than.  It will weigh about 1.1 avoirdupois ounces.  

Troy weights - One troy ounce = 480 grains, or 31.10 grams.

So, remember what you are getting for 1 troy ounce of precious metal is actually 10% heavier than the “normal” 1 ounce in weight at grocery store