Precious Metals Weights: What Is A Troy Ounce?

Many people, even those who invest in precious metals, often fail to recognize that silver, gold and other precious metals are measured by a different weighing system than other commodities. Precious metals are bought and sold by the weight designation “troy ounce.” Grocery items, including sugar and grains are typically sold by “avoirdupois weight.” These two measurement standards are substantially different from each other.

Avoirdupois Ounce

The avoirdupois ounce is used for most weight measurements in English-speaking countries. This is the weight seen on the produce scale at the market, or a standard bathroom scale. According to this system, there are sixteen ounces in one pound. One avoirdupois ounce is equal to 28.35 grams or 437.5 grains.

Troy Ounce

A troy ounce weighs more than an avoirdupois ounce by approximately ten percent. One troy ounce is approximately equal to 1.1 avoirdupois ounces, 31.1 grams or 480 grains. A troy pound contains only twelve troy ounces.

Conversion Formula

This formula may be used to convert avoirdupois ounces into troy ounces.

“number of avoirdupois ounces x .912 = approximate number of troy ounces”

 

This entry was posted in Silver and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to Precious Metals Weights: What Is A Troy Ounce?

  1. Pingback: Los Angeles Gold Party Blog » Your Questions About Sell Gold Los Angeles

Comments are closed.