900 Gold
Also: 21.6 karat, 900/1000
900 gold refers to a gold alloy with a fineness of 900 parts per thousand (90%), equivalent to 21.6 karats – a historically significant standard for European and American circulation coins.
900 gold contains exactly 900 parts fine gold per 1,000 parts total weight. This corresponds to a fineness of 90 % and 21.6 karats. The remaining 10 % typically consists of copper, occasionally supplemented by silver, which gives the alloy a characteristic, slightly reddish-warm colour. Anyone wishing to determine the current intrinsic value of a 900-grade piece can use the melt value calculator.
Historical Significance
900/1000 became established over centuries as a widespread standard for circulation coins in Europe and America. In Germany, 900 gold was the mandatory alloy for Imperial gold coins of the German Empire (1871–1915): the 20-Mark gold coin (Wilhelmine era, 7.965 g gross weight) and the 10-Mark coin were struck in 900/1000 and are today among the most collected historical gold coins in Germany. The Swiss Vreneli and many French, American and Latin American circulation coins of the 19th and early 20th centuries also follow this fineness.
Note on the term "Crown Gold": This designation is occasionally – incorrectly – equated with 900/1000. Historically, Crown Gold correctly refers to the English 22-karat system (916.7 ‰), introduced under Henry VIII in 1526. 900 gold has no common trivial name in German or international usage.
Calculating Fine Weight
The fine weight component can be easily calculated:
Fine weight = Gross weight × 0.900
Example: 7.965 g (20-Mark gold coin) × 0.900 = 7.169 g fine gold ≈ 0.2305 troy ounces
The gold calculator can then be used to determine the intrinsic value in euros directly.
Notable 900-Grade Coins at a Glance
| Coin | Country | Fineness | Troy oz (approx.) | Gross weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Mark gold coin | German Empire | 900 ‰ | approx. 0.2305 oz | 7.965 g |
| Vreneli (20 Fr.) | Switzerland | 900 ‰ | approx. 0.1867 oz | 6.452 g |
| 20-Franc (Napoleon) | France | 900 ‰ | approx. 0.1867 oz | 6.452 g |
| Liberty Head Eagle | USA | 900 ‰ | approx. 0.4837 oz | 16.718 g |
The Krugerrand, by contrast, has a fineness of 916.7 ‰ (22 karats) and is therefore not 900 gold – it is covered under 916 gold.
900 Gold Compared with Other Finenesses
- 333 gold (8 karats): Only 33.3 % fine gold – not considered genuine gold in many countries.
- 585 gold (14 karats): 58.5 % fine gold – the most popular jewellery standard in Germany.
- 750 gold (18 karats): 75 % fine gold – internationally sought-after jewellery and watchmaking standard.
- 900 gold (21.6 karats): 90 % fine gold – historical circulation coins of Europe and America.
- 916 gold (22 karats): 91.67 % fine gold – Krugerrand, Sovereign, British tradition.
- 999/999.9 gold: Fine gold – bars and modern bullion coins (Maple Leaf, Philharmoniker).
Tax Classification
As investment gold within the meaning of the EU VAT Directive and Germany's § 25c UStG, gold coins with a fineness of at least 900/1000 qualify (provided they were minted after 1800 and were legal tender in their country of origin). Classic 900-grade coins such as the 20-Mark gold coin or the Vreneli can therefore be purchased free of VAT in Germany. For bars a stricter minimum standard of 995/1000 applies. Capital gains from private sales remain income-tax-free for private individuals after a holding period of more than one year (§ 23 EStG). Note: This is not tax or investment advice; please consult a tax adviser for individual cases.
The historical gold price and the current gold price are available on the relevant pages.
In Brief
900 gold is a time-honoured fineness with 90 % gold content, best known through the German Imperial gold coins, the Swiss Vreneli and numerous other historical circulation coins – more robust than fine gold, higher quality than common jewellery alloys, and available VAT-free in Germany as a bullion coin.