Metallwert

Metallwert is a term used in German to describe the intrinsic value of the metal content of an item, such as a coin, bullion bar, or jewelry, independent of its nominal price, rarity, or collectible value. It is typically determined by the weight of the metal within the item and the current market price of that metal. For coins and bars, the metallwert is approximately equal to the metal weight multiplied by the spot price per unit (for example, gold priced per troy ounce). If a 1-ounce gold coin contains one troy ounce of gold and gold trades at $2,000 per ounce, the metallwert is about $2,000, not accounting for minting costs or premiums.

For alloys, the metallwert is the sum of the values of each constituent metal according to their proportion and current prices. An alloy with 90% silver and 10% copper, for instance, has a metallwert close to 0.9 times the silver price plus 0.1 times the copper price per unit weight, again as an approximate figure.

In jewelry, the term is closely related to the metal content and fineness, often expressed by karat or fineness marks. The metallwert can be estimated by multiplying the item’s weight by its purity and by the market price of the pure metal. This value helps compare metal costs across pieces but does not reflect craftsmanship, setting, or brand premiums.

Limitations include that the metallwert omits minting or manufacture costs, numismatic premiums, and aesthetic or historical value. It remains a practical metric for assessing the raw metal content and its potential market value.