C. Hafner
Also: C. Hafner GmbH + Co. KG, Hafner Precious Metals
C. Hafner is a German precious metals refinery and semi-finished product manufacturer founded in Pforzheim in 1850, refining gold, silver and platinum group metals and producing certified bars and semi-finished products for industry and the jewellery trade.
C. Hafner is one of Germany's most traditional precious metals companies. The family business was founded in 1850 in Pforzheim — Germany's so-called "City of Gold" at the time — and is today headquartered in Wimsheim (Enzkreis district, Baden-Württemberg). C. Hafner combines two core areas under one roof: the refinery (refining and purchasing of scrap metals, alloys and industrial residues) and the manufacture of precious metal semi-finished products such as sheets, wires, tubes and profiles for the jewellery, dental and electronics industries.
Quality and certifications
C. Hafner is a member of the LBMA Good Delivery List for gold and silver — the globally recognised standard for tradeable bars in international wholesale trade (see LBMA Fixing). Bars from C. Hafner meet the strict requirements regarding fineness, weight tolerance, surface quality and marking. Every bar carries the company stamp, serial number and fineness hallmark.
In addition, the company is certified to ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) and is a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). The supply chain complies with the LBMA standard Responsible Gold, meaning: no financing of conflicts, no human rights violations and full traceability of raw metal sources.
Product portfolio overview
| Area | Example products | Fineness (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold bars | 1 g – 1 kg, various denominations | 999.9 ‰ |
| Silver bars | 1 oz – 1 kg | 999.0 ‰ |
| Platinum bars | 1 oz – 500 g | 999.5 ‰ |
| Semi-finished products | Sheets, wires, tubes, granules for industry & jewellery | alloy-dependent |
| Recycling / refining | Purchase & refining of scrap gold, broken gold, industrial residues | – |
| Dental alloys | Special alloys for dental technology | alloy-dependent |
Identifying and testing bars
Genuine C. Hafner bars bear an embossed or laser-engraved serial number and are often packaged in a sealed blister (assay card). Anyone who knows the current gold price and checks the weight of a bar can quickly determine the material value using the melt value calculator. For coins and smaller bars, the coin authenticity checker is also recommended.
Tax classification
Gold bars from C. Hafner with a fineness of at least 995.0 ‰ and a weight of at least 1 gram qualify as investment gold within the meaning of EU VAT directives and are exempt from VAT when purchased. Silver and platinum bars, by contrast, are subject to the standard VAT rate (which varies by country). When reselling, private individuals should be aware of applicable capital gains tax rules in their jurisdiction — in many EU countries, gains from precious metal bars held for more than one year may be tax-free.
Note: Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances; when in doubt, consult a tax adviser.
In brief
C. Hafner stands for over 170 years of precious metals expertise, LBMA-certified bars (gold 999.9 ‰, silver 999.0 ‰) and sustainable raw material chains. Gold bars from the company qualify as investment gold and are traded internationally without a liquidity discount — the LBMA listing is the decisive quality benchmark.