What Is a Fort Knox Gold Bar
A Fort Knox gold bar refers to a standard gold bar stored at the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky, which holds a large portion of U.S. government gold reserves. These bars are produced by accredited refiners and meet strict standards for weight, purity, and hallmarking, and are often referenced when discussing the value of gold held by the U.S. Treasury. The depository is managed by the United States Mint, which oversees the security and integrity of the stored bullion. You can read more about the U.S. Mint's role and gold holdings on its official site U.S. Mint.
The standard gold bar held at Fort Knox is typically a 400-troy-ounce Good Delivery bar, weighing about 27.4 pounds or 12.4 kilograms, with a purity of 99.5 percent or higher. These bars are traded among central banks and major institutions, and their value is closely tied to the global spot price of gold. Because they are large and high-purity, they are not commonly sold to retail investors, but their per-ounce value is the same as that of any comparable gold bar on the market. For context on global gold reserves and official holdings, see the World Gold Council's data World Gold Council.
How Much Is a Fort Knox Gold Bar Worth
The value of a Fort Knox gold bar is calculated by multiplying its weight in troy ounces by the current spot price of gold per troy ounce, plus any premium for purity and institutional-grade quality. As of the latest available market data, with gold trading around $2,300 to $2,400 per troy ounce, a standard 400-troy-ounce bar is worth roughly $920,000 to $960,000, though this figure changes constantly with market fluctuations. The actual market value may vary slightly depending on the refiner, the exact weight, and the buyer or seller's transaction costs. For up-to-date gold pricing, Bloomberg provides live commodity data Bloomberg Gold.
When considering how much a Fort Knox gold bar is worth in practice, it is important to distinguish between the intrinsic bullion value and any collectible or historical premium. Most bars stored at Fort Knox are not sold on the open retail market, so their worth is primarily determined by the weight and fineness of the gold they contain. In contrast, smaller bars or coins from Fort Knox that occasionally enter the market may carry a numismatic or collectible premium. The London Bullion Market Association sets standards for gold trading and Good Delivery bars, which you can review on its official site LBMA.
Factors That Affect the Price of a Fort Knox Gold Bar
The price of a Fort Knox gold bar is influenced by the global spot price of gold, which is driven by supply and demand, central bank buying and selling, inflation expectations, and geopolitical uncertainty. The U.S. dollar's strength or weakness also plays a major role, as gold is priced in dollars and often moves inversely to the dollar index. Transaction costs, including dealer premiums, insurance, and storage fees, can affect the final price paid or received when bars are traded. For broader economic data and Federal Reserve policy that impacts gold prices, see the Federal Reserve's official resources Federal Reserve.
Other factors include the bar's refiner, its exact weight and purity certification, and whether it is part of a large institutional lot or sold individually. Bars from well-known refiners such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, or Perth Mint often