FinanceGoldHistory
Why Is Gold Measured in Troy Ounces?
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Finance InsiderBuying precious metals? Don't get scammed by not knowing the difference between a regular ounce and a Troy ounce.
If you buy an ounce of gold, you're getting more than an ounce of sugar. Confused? It's the Troy ounce.
Troy vs. Avoirdupois
The standard ounce (avoirdupois) is about 28.35 grams. A Troy ounce, used exclusively for precious metals, is approximately 31.1 grams. That means a Troy ounce is about 10% heavier.
Origins
The system dates back to the Middle Ages in Troyes, France, a major trade hub. While the rest of the world moved on, the precious metals market stuck to tradition.
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Finance Insider
Contributing writer at MetricConv, covering measurement science, unit history, and practical conversion guides.
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