916 Gold (22 Karat)
Also: 22 karat gold, 22k gold, 916 gold, Crown Gold
916 gold refers to a gold alloy with a fineness of 916.6 parts per thousand (22 karats), used worldwide primarily for high-quality jewellery and bullion coins.
916 gold – also known as 22 karat gold – contains 916.6 parts per thousand of pure gold, exactly 22 out of 24 possible parts. The remaining 8.33 % consists of alloying metals, typically silver, copper or a combination of both. This places 916 gold on the fineness scale between the popular 750 gold (18 karat) and near-pure fine gold (999). The current gold price always forms the calculation basis for the intrinsic value of this fineness.
Fineness and Karat Calculation
The karat system divides the gold content into 24 equal parts. 22 karats means:
Fineness = 22 ÷ 24 × 1000 = 916.6 ‰
The hallmark therefore shows the number 916 or 916.6. Anyone wishing to determine the precise intrinsic value of a 916 gold piece can do so using the melt value calculator – this automatically takes account of weight, fineness and the current spot price.
Alloy and Properties
The 8.33 % additional metals give 916 gold significantly better mechanical properties than pure gold (999.9):
| Property | 999 fine gold | 916 gold (22 karat) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Vickers) | approx. 25 HV | approx. 125–175 HV |
| Abrasion resistance | very low | good |
| Colour | intense yellow | deep yellow gold to slightly reddish |
| Suitability for coins | limited | very good |
| Suitability for jewellery | limited | good |
Thanks to its high gold content, 916 gold retains the characteristic, rich yellow-gold colour – it is noticeably more golden than 585 gold (14 karat) and shows virtually no deviation in tone or lustre.
Typical Applications
916 gold is used primarily in three areas:
- Bullion coins – The South African Krugerrand, the British Sovereign and the American Eagle (gold) are struck in 916 gold. These coins are regarded worldwide as investment classics.
- Jewellery – Particularly in India, the Middle East and parts of Southeast Asia, 22-karat gold is the preferred standard for wedding jewellery and gold jewellery as a store of value.
- Historical circulation coins – Many of the great gold coins of the 19th and early 20th centuries, including the British Sovereign and US gold coins (Double Eagle, Eagle), were struck in 22 karats. Coins of the German Empire, by contrast, were issued in 900 gold (21.6 karats).
916 Gold as an Investment
Coins such as the Krugerrand in 916 gold are among the most widely traded gold investment coins in the world. Since the coin weight is standardised to the fine gold content (e.g. 1 troy ounce of pure gold), a 1-ounce Krugerrand actually weighs slightly more than one troy ounce – approximately 33.93 g gross weight, containing 91.66 % gold, which equals exactly 1 troy ounce (31.1035 g) of gold.
For tax purposes: in Germany, transactions in investment gold (including qualifying gold coins of 916 fineness) are exempt from VAT. Gains from private sales are tax-free after a holding period of more than one year. Note: This is not tax or investment advice – please consult a tax adviser for specific questions.
Comparison with Other Finenesses
| Description | Fineness | Karat | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine gold | 999.9 ‰ | 24 karat | Bars, ETCs |
| 916 gold | 916.6 ‰ | 22 karat | Coins, Middle Eastern jewellery |
| 750 gold | 750.0 ‰ | 18 karat | European jewellery |
| 585 gold | 585.0 ‰ | 14 karat | Everyday jewellery |
| 375 gold | 375.0 ‰ | 9 karat | British jewellery |
The current value of any quantity of gold at various finenesses can be compared directly using the gold calculator or the buying price calculator.
In Brief
916 gold (22 karat) combines a very high gold content of 91.66 % with solid everyday durability – it is the preferred material for the world's most important bullion coins and remains clearly distinguishable from cheaper alloys by its fineness.