Mark (unit) Mark (unit) The Mark (from Middle High German: Marc, march, brand) is originally a medieval weight or mass unit, which supplanted the pound weight as a precious metals and coinage weight from the 11th century. The Mark is traditionally a half pound weight and was usually divided into 8 ounces or 16 Lot. The significance of the "Cologne Mark" (Kölner Mark) in the German-speaking areas corresponded to about 234 gram. Like the German systems, the French poids de marc weight system considered one "Marc" equal to half-a-pound (8 ounces). Like the pound of 12 troy ounces (373 g), the mark
Taxation of precious metals Taxation of precious metals Precious metals are subject to taxation in most countries, because of their high economic value. In most countries capital gains tax applies when precious metals are sold at a profit. Some countries also apply value added tax to precious metals. In the European Union, the trading of recognised gold coins and bullion products is VAT exempt, but no such allowance is given to silver. Elsewhere in Europe though, Norway has exempted both gold and silver bullion coins with face value from VAT; Norway is part of the wider EEA (European Economic Area) and thus applies the