CombiBar / Tablet Bar
Also: tablet bar, breakable bar, gram bar, CombiBar
A CombiBar (tablet bar) is a pre-scored precious-metal bar that can be broken along stamped break lines into smaller individual gram pieces, without tools and without loss of weight.
The CombiBar — also known as a tablet bar — combines the economy of a larger bar with the divisibility of the smallest units. The rectangular tablet is divided by stamped grooves into even 1-gram segments that can be broken off cleanly with bare fingers. Each segment carries a fineness stamp and a weight marking, so that individual gram pieces can be independently traded or verified if required. You can use the current gold price per gram as a reference at any time.
Structure and manufacture
CombiBar tablet bars are minted (not cast), which allows a more precise surface and sharper stamping. The best-known product line comes from Valcambi (Switzerland), one of the world's leading refineries. Other suppliers include Argor-Heraeus and C. Hafner. The finished tablet is delivered in a sealed assay card (blister) that confirms authenticity and weight.
Common sizes (gold)
| Total weight | Segments | Weight per segment |
|---|---|---|
| 10 g | 10 | 1 g |
| 20 g | 20 | 1 g |
| 50 g | 50 | 1 g |
| 100 g | 100 | 1 g |
Silver CombiBars are usually offered as a 100 g tablet (100 × 1 g); occasionally also as a 10 g variant.
Fineness and quality
Gold tablet bars are made exclusively from fine gold 999.9 ‰ (24 carat) and therefore meet the requirements for investment gold under European tax law. Silver variants consist of fine silver 999 ‰. CombiBars therefore do not differ in material value from conventional bars of the same weight — only the shape and the associated additional manufacturing effort are reflected in the premium.
Premium and cost structure
The premium on a CombiBar is noticeably above that of a classic cast bar of the same weight. The reasons are:
- Higher minting effort and material precision
- Sealed blister certificate per unit
- Brand presence (Valcambi, Argor-Heraeus)
Anyone who breaks the tablet apart and passes on or sells individual segments should note that broken segments without the original packaging are harder to market and are bought by some dealers only at melt value. Check the purchase price with the gold calculator beforehand.
Use cases
- Emergency reserve in small units — divisible without a bank connection or change problem.
- Gift / present — individual 1 g segments can be handed over separately.
- Gradual sale — anyone wishing to dispose of only part of their gold reserve breaks off the required amount.
- Savings build-up — regular acquisition of small units, similar to a precious-metal savings plan.
Authenticity testing
Each segment of a CombiBar can be checked with common methods: weight, dimensions and density match the manufacturer's specifications exactly for genuine fine gold. Use the coin weight and authenticity checker for this. Tungsten counterfeits can be reliably exposed by density measurement (Archimedes' principle), since tungsten has almost the same density as gold but is immediately conspicuous under X-ray fluorescence analysis.
Tax treatment in Malta
Gold CombiBar: Since gold tablet bars have a fineness of 999.9 ‰, they qualify as investment gold and are VAT-exempt on purchase under the EU VAT Directive (2006/112/EC). On a sale at a profit, private individuals in Malta benefit from a further advantage: Malta levies no capital gains tax on the disposal of movable private property such as bullion and coins, regardless of the holding period or the size of the gain.
Silver CombiBar: Silver is not investment gold and is subject on purchase to the full VAT of 18 % (the Maltese standard rate). Any private gain on a subsequent sale of silver is, like gold, not subject to Maltese capital gains tax.
For cash payment, the identity-verification obligation under anti-money-laundering law applies from €10,000 — the EU-harmonised threshold that Malta transposes through the PMLA and the associated regulations.
Note: This is not tax or investment advice. For your individual situation, please consult a tax adviser.
In brief
The CombiBar is a mature product for anyone who wants to divide physical fine gold or fine silver into the smallest possible units without having to buy several separate bars. The higher premium compared with standard bars is the price of this flexibility — anyone who does not need it is more cost-effective with classic bars or bullion coins.