The 1g gold Valcambi bar I bought from eBay arrived! Before I get any further into this post, please do not try this without the proper tools. Without them you have a high likelihood of being scammed.
At first glance it looks legit. The font and edges on the design are crisp. Looks can be deceiving. That's why years ago I invested in a Sigma Metalytics Precious Metals Verifier. These typically run around $1000 and can easily be re-sold for what you paid for it.
For small and large samples that don't fit the circle outline around the sensor, you have to use the wands. You want the box to be within the brackets. Anything outside is fake. Dead center is promising. Notice the Sigma has a light next to the word "measure." You can sometimes fool a Sigma, but that only tests conductivity. If it's fake, the weight and measurements will be off.
It weighs 1 gram. I'm liking what I'm seeing so far. Now let's measure it. For those who don't know, a standalone 1g gold Valcambi in assay is not the same size as a 1g gold Valcambi bar that has been broken off of a Combibar. For this bar, we want the dimensions to be: 10.5mm long x 7.7mm wide x 0.7mm thick. (Source)
10.4mm long is within the margin of error. So far so good.
7.4mm is within the margin of error for width. We're so close!
And 0.8mm is within the margin of error for thickness. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a real 1g gold Valcambi bar purchased from eBay!
While I doubt most people would bother with the trouble of faking a 1g gold bar, you never know. Some people have far too much time on their hands. This bar, however, is legit, and it's going in the Valcambi gold bar wallet!