Frequently Asked Questions

In Romania, the best-selling modern coins include the Vienna Philharmonic, the Austrian Ducat, the Canadian Maple Leaf, the Australian Kangaroo, and the Britannia.

These are not only world-renowned coins with distinctive designs but also products with high global liquidity. In terms of popularity, historical coins include those representing the French Franc standard (such as the Napoleon, Marianne, Genius, and Vreneli coins).

The troy ounce (oz) is a unit of measurement for precious metals.

1 troy ounce = 31.1034768 g

As a rule, investment gold coins do not come with a certificate issued by the manufacturer typically a mint. Unlike investment gold bars, coins do not bear a serial number.

However, much like the banknotes we use in everyday life, these coins possess specific specifications and security features that can indicate their authenticity.

These details can be verified on the websites of the manufacturer or investment gold dealers. If having a certificate is important to you, we recommend considering only documents issued by the manufacturer (where available).

The price of gold is determined internationally by the forces of supply and demand. Globally, the spot price of gold is published twice daily by the London Bullion Market Association at 10:30 and 15:00 London time.

Modern gold investment coins have a high gold purity and can be easily damaged.

Therefore, it is recommended to keep them in their protective capsules and if handling is necessary to touch them only while wearing gloves, as their condition can directly affect the price at which a dealer buys them.

As for historical gold coins, these were used in everyday life in the past, so they may show slight signs of wear.

The process of purchasing investment gold bars from Tavex is simple. Anyone can buy a bar at our offices or order one directly from our online store. It is worth noting that if the price of the bar exceeds the equivalent of 10,000 lei, the transaction must be completed via bank transfer.

The carat is a measure of gold purity within an alloy.

One karat represents 1/24 of the weight of pure metal. Therefore, 24-karat gold is 99.99% pure, 12-karat gold consists of 50% pure gold and 50% other metals and so on.

The karat system is gradually being supplemented and replaced by a measurement system based on parts per thousand. For example, a fineness of 999 indicates 99.9% pure gold, while a fineness of 750 indicates 75% pure gold and 25% other metals.

When investing in physical gold in any form (coins or bars), it is important to consider proper storage.

Bars are supplied in vacuum-sealed protective packaging and its integrity must be maintained; this means no attempts should be made to remove the bar. During storage, it is recommended to avoid applying external pressure to the product.

Romanian legislation requires us to conduct all transactions using the country’s legal means of exchange which is currently the Romanian leu.

It is recommended to trade with a reputable dealer who works directly with the largest and most recognized refineries.

Each gold bar must display all the attributes specified by the manufacturer:

• serial number;
• name of the refinery;
• details regarding the gold’s weight and purity;
• seal of the independent assayer.

Furthermore, it must meet all the physical specifications listed on the manufacturer’s website.

An investment-grade gold bar typically comes in vacuum-sealed protective packaging that also contains the quality certificate. This certificate must be issued by the manufacturer and the integrity of the packaging must remain intact.

Documents from other institutions, or those that do not list the bar’s serial number, cannot serve as a certificate of authenticity. Consequently, Tavex does not issue such certificates.

We determine the carat of the products through precise chemical analysis. We compare the chemical reaction of an 8/9/14/18/21-carat testing agent with that of the gold item provided by the client. Based on this reaction, we can determine the amount of pure gold contained in the item.

It is recommended to purchase investment gold from authorized dealers, such as Tavex.

Here are three features to look for:

• Transparent and up-to-date prices for each product (gold coin or bar);
• A presence in the local market;
• Direct sourcing from the manufacturer (refinery or mint).

This ensures that the investment products are authentic and that their price is as close as possible to the spot price of gold.

Hallmarks on jewelry do not provide a 100% guarantee of the gold or silver content, as they can sometimes be incorrect or applied with the intent to mislead.

At Tavex, we always perform a precise chemical analysis before purchasing a product. We use touchstones, testers with guaranteed gold content and a concentrated mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids.

There is no single answer to this question. The choice depends on the amount you intend to invest and your future liquidity needs. The margin for both types of products is similar. The coins and bars sold by Tavex are recognized worldwide.

Sometimes yes, especially when you need to exchange a larger amount of a specific currency.

In such cases, we recommend contacting us in advance. We will take special care to ensure the desired amount is available for you.

Due to various and sometimes unpredictable market conditions, we always recommend that clients carry out the currency exchange at least 1–2 weeks in advance if they know the exact date they will need the currency.

A cross rate is the buying or selling rate between two currencies, determined via a third currency. This applies, for instance, if you were to attempt to buy US dollars with euros in Romania. Since the leu is the only legal tender, the transaction would be executed by exchanging euros for Romanian lei and then exchanging those lei for US dollars.

No.

Tavex is a retailer, not a manufacturer, of the gold products it sells and cannot issue certificates of authenticity. However, gold and silver bars produced by Valcambi, PAMP, and Argor-Heraeus come with certificates of authenticity issued by the refinery that produced the specific bar. There are also certain coins that come with a certificate of authenticity; these are produced by the Royal Canadian Mint and belong to the Canadian Maple Leaf “Call of the Wild” series.

We deliver only within Romania via the courier service FAN Courier. In Bucharest, we also offer a secure transport option. If you require secure transport outside the Bucharest municipality, please contact us at 0735 666 888 or via email at tavex@tavex.ro.

The most popular forms of investment gold are bars and investment coins. Bars are sold with a certificate and can come in heavier weights (e.g., 50 or 100 grams of pure gold). For coins, authenticity is guaranteed by the quality of craftsmanship and the security features incorporated by the manufacturer.

We recommend choosing investment gold produced by major refineries and mints. These include Valcambi, PAMP, Argor Heraeus, the Perth Mint, the Royal Mint, the Rand Refinery, the Austrian Mint, and others.

Both individuals and legal entities can purchase investment gold. It is used to preserve purchasing power over the long term that is, to protect against high inflation and the devaluation of savings.

Investing in gold is also a popular option for diversifying a portfolio composed of various other, riskier assets.

You can have up to 10 active subsciptions simultaneously, each with its own gift bar at the end.

No. To receive the gift bar, you must make a purchase every calendar month without interruption.

The bars can be sold at any Tavex office, where you will receive the best price based on our catalog. Of course, you can also sell them to other dealers at a price close to the market rate but we recommend contacting Tavex for a fair and quick valuation.

Only one purchase per month is taken into account under the program. The purchase of a second bar marks the start of a new active program.

You can verify the status of the program through the Tavex ID account, where you will see the start date, the purchases made and the remaining months. If you are not sure when you started the program or have other questions, you can contact us at +40 735 666 888, tavex@tavex.ro or directly in the Tavex office.

The gift is awarded upon the 12th consecutive purchase, whether made online or at the office.

No, but the product can be sold back.

The prices of investment products depend on financial market fluctuations and are not controlled by Tavex. For this reason, purchased products cannot be returned at their original purchase price.

Since you are purchasing a liquid investment product, you can sell it to any precious metals dealer.

Courier delivery costs depend on the order value. Delivery is free for all orders exceeding 100 RON. For orders below this threshold, the delivery cost is 20 RON.

Delivery via secure transport service within Bucharest is free. For the rest of the country, please contact us at 0735 666 888 or via email at tavex@tavex.ro.

• Credit/debit card payment.
• Bank transfer payment based on a pre-issued invoice – you may pay for your selected investment products within one hour of the invoice being issued. The document will be cancelled once this time limit expires. This timeframe is set due to gold price fluctuations, which can significantly affect the trading margin. Your order will be processed upon receipt of payment.
• Cash on delivery – you may pay the courier in cash, up to a limit of 5,000 RON. Please note that, to prevent potential abuse or fraud, the “preview before payment” service is not available for orders placed via tavex.ro.

Prices in the shopping cart are continuously updated, just like the prices of all products available on www.tavex.ro. The time remaining until the next price update is tracked by a timer located in the top right corner, above the list of items in your shopping cart.

During the finalization stage of your order (from the moment you enter your personal details until you reach the “Order successfully completed” screen), you have a 15-minute window before the prices are updated.

Orders not collected within 24 hours of being picked up by FAN Courier are returned and the order is cancelled. Customers who fail to collect their orders will be refused future orders on www.tavex.ro. Tavex reserves the right to determine when services may be resumed for the respective customer.

Currency fluctuations influence the price of gold as it is quoted in various currencies on international markets. A strong US dollar can lead to a drop in the price of gold, and vice versa.

The price of gold is influenced by supply and demand factors. Demand for gold is driven by inflation, interest rates, geopolitical stability, and industrial and jewelry requirements. Gold supply fluctuates based on the volume of mined gold, the level of recycling of damaged gold (jewelry, various hardware components, and damaged products), and the amount of gold available for trading in vaults in London, New York, Shanghai, and elsewhere.

It is advisable to purchase foreign currency from a reputable dealer, such as Tavex, which has significant experience in the European market and clearly and transparently publishes the buy and sell rates for the currencies it trades.

Foreign currency purchases can only be made at one of our physical branches.

Yes, you can view all products and prices in our online store by visiting: https://tavex.ro/en/gold/. Prices are updated every 10–15 minutes.

The main risk is associated with storage. Beyond this, there is also the risk of short-term losses should the price of gold fall. To avoid such issues, we recommend investing in gold for a period of at least five years.

Investment gold is considered a safe investment and asset offering protection against inflation and financial market volatility during times of high uncertainty. It has the potential to offset losses from other assets – such as stocks, cryptocurrencies, and bonds during periods of crisis or recession. Furthermore, since the turn of the century, gold has delivered an annualized return of nearly 10%, making it an asset with significant potential even during periods of relative stability.

We operate without fees or commissions, regardless of the currency. You receive the exchange rate displayed on the screens at our branches and on tavex.ro or for larger amounts preferential rates.

Currency exchange transactions can only be made in cash.

At Tavex, we always strive to provide our customers with the gold and silver products they desire, even if those items are not listed in our catalog. We have established a special procedure for ordering such products. Interested customers can contact our consultants for further information by calling 0735 666 888.

Our “buy” and “sell” quotes for currencies and investment gold and silver are updated at least every 15–20 minutes to accurately reflect market rates.

The margins on our investment gold and silver products vary primarily due to the differing supply prices we negotiate with various refineries, mints, and other secondary market dealers.

Furthermore, the price of physical gold products depends heavily on the location and timing of the transaction, as well as specific demand across different markets.

Gold has a specific density of 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter – a property possessed by no other metal which makes counterfeiting extremely difficult. Furthermore, the manufacturing quality of all products is exceptionally high, as they are produced by refineries and mints possessing the necessary expertise regarding the security of investment products.

To protect yourself against counterfeiting, do not buy gold products on the street or from random individuals unless you are 100% confident in your knowledge of gold. Always purchase from authorized dealers who value their reputation and guarantee the quality of the products they offer.

Although Tavex is one of the first companies on the Romanian market to offer a transparent buyback service for gold products with officially announced, up-to-date prices there is never a guarantee that a company will not face financial difficulties in the future.

However, we are fully convinced of one thing: even if our company were to cease operations, the gold and silver products you purchased from us would remain highly liquid assets, capable of being sold to other dealers, investment exchanges, and banks worldwide at prices close to market rates.

Tavex strives to offer the best margins for larger volume purchases. The margin for purchasing a 1 kilogram bar will not differ significantly from that for purchasing ten 100 gram bars. At the same time, buying smaller bars offers greater flexibility, allowing you to sell only as many bars as needed to meet a specific cash requirement.

Due to specific VAT regulations, you need to place two separate orders: one for investment gold products (VAT-exempt) and one for investment silver products (subject to VAT). This allows us to generate separate tax documents for each type of product.

No, we do not purchase precious stones and diamonds.

If you wish to keep the stones from your jewelry, we advise you to remove them before selling the piece. Our specialists will attempt to remove them without damage so they can be returned to you; however, their integrity cannot be guaranteed, as the tools we use are heavy-duty.

White gold is a mixture of gold with nickel, silver or other grey-colored metals.

White gold is a mixture, not a distinct chemical element or a rarer precious metal. This is why it is often found in lower carat versions. The highest purity level at which white gold is available is 750 (18K).

We deal exclusively in investment gold and silver.

Gold and silver can be purchased online through our store or directly from one of our four offices in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca.

If the product received is damaged or incorrect, please contact us at 0735 666 888 or via email at tavex@tavex.ro within 24 hours of receiving your order to arrange for its return and replacement.

To modify or cancel an order, please contact us as soon as possible at 0735 666 888 or via email at tavex@tavex.ro.

You will receive an email with a tracking number once your order has been shipped. You can use this number on the FAN Courier website to track the delivery.

Coins are always packaged in special protective capsules, while gold bars come in the vacuum-sealed packaging in which they are delivered to us directly from the refineries. For delivery to an address, the products are transported in special shipping packaging, inside an envelope with a unique serial number provided by the courier.

Yes, when making the online transaction, you can choose to pick up your order in person from one of our Tavex offices.

We do not offer the “open package upon delivery” service as the aim is to prevent fraud during delivery to the customer. All packages are packed and sealed under video surveillance. If the customer lodge a complaint, the video footage is reviewed and provided to the customer.

Delivery is handled by FAN Courier (SC FAN Courier Express SRL) and takes up to 5 business days. Orders confirmed by 2:00 PM are shipped the same day, while those confirmed after 2:00 PM are shipped the following business day.

Orders not claimed within 24 hours of being picked up by FAN Courier will be returned and the order will be cancelled.

*Please note that delays of a few business days may occur during busy periods, such as holidays or promotional events. We assure you that we are making every effort to ship orders as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

We cannot be certain of the specific reason why lawmakers treat silver as a taxable asset, but we have a few hypotheses. The logic behind any tax law including the Value Added Tax Act is as follows: absolutely everything is subject to tax and subsequently, exceptions are determined that will be exempt from the tax burden. In this process, silver is likely treated more as an industrial raw material than as an investment product.

Yes. At Tavex offices, payments for purchases of investment gold or silver can be made by bank card for any amount.

There is no single answer to this question. The choice depends on the amount you intend to invest and your future liquidity needs. The margin for both types of products is similar. The coins and bars sold by Tavex are recognized worldwide.

The most cost-effective purchases are standard one-troy-ounce gold coins, such as the “Australian Kangaroo,” “Krugerrand,” and “Vienna Philharmonic.” As for gold bars, the best options are those weighing 10g, 20g, 1 troy ounce, 50g, and 100g.

The gold products you purchase depend primarily on your savings. We can categorize our recommendations as follows:

1. For investments of up to 25,000 lei: small historical coins, such as the 20-franc piece (5.8 grams of pure gold) or gold bars weighing between 2.5 and 10 grams.
2. For purchases between 25,000 and 200,000 lei: standard 1-troy-ounce (31.10 g) investment coins, such as the Australian Kangaroo, Vienna Philharmonic, and Canadian Maple Leaf.
3. For investments exceeding 200,000 lei: 50 g and 100 g gold bars from the Valcambi or Argor-Heraeus refineries.

The gold bar from the Tavex subscription is the most affordable option for 1 gram investment gold bars mass-produced by a refinery accredited by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). Buyback of the bar is guaranteed in Europe as part of the Tavex product catalog.

All photographs on the site depict actual products, photographed specifically for the Tavex Group. However, the images are for illustrative purposes only and show how the investment product in the respective category should appear.

The delivered product may differ in terms of the year of issue or may show varying degrees of wear—in the case of historical coins accepted as investment products.

A gold or silver product can be considered an investment when its selling price is as close as possible to the international price of the pure gold or silver it contains.

Jewelry is not considered an investment because the price includes labor, processing costs—which are higher than for coins or bars and have VAT. These are costs that are not recovered upon resale.

When selling, you will receive only the value of the pure gold or silver, meaning you will lose a significant portion of the initial price (sometimes as much as 50%).

If the ordered product is unavailable or cannot be delivered on time, we will contact you as soon as possible to find a suitable solution.
We will pay close attention to the situation, depending on its nature, in order to address your needs as promptly as possible.

Purchase only from authorized investment gold dealers who have a good reputation and guarantee the quality of the products they offer. To protect yourself against counterfeits, do not buy gold coins on the street or from strangers. If you are not 100% confident in your knowledge regarding gold, consult a specialist or certified advisor.

Pay attention to the craftsmanship. All authentic coins exhibit a high level of detail—something that can only be achieved within the environment of a mint.

The authenticity of gold coins is confirmed primarily by four indicators: weight, diameter, thickness, and craftsmanship details.

Physical gold means the actual possession of gold bars and coins. “Paper” gold includes certificates of claim, ETFs, brokerage accounts and bank holdings that invest in gold on your behalf. These instruments merely provide you with a document attesting that you own a certain amount of gold held by a custodian.

No.

Tavex is a retailer, not a manufacturer, of the gold products it sells and cannot issue certificates of authenticity. However, gold and silver bars produced by Valcambi, PAMP, and Argor-Heraeus come with certificates of authenticity issued by the refinery that produced the specific bar. There are also some coins that come with a certificate of authenticity.

At Tavex, we use Refinitiv Eikon services. Refinitiv provides minute-by-minute data on international gold prices in US dollars (XAU/USD) and euros (XAU/EUR) see point 3 as well as current EUR/RON exchange rates. Based on this information, we calculate the international price of each product in lei. We then determine the price margin applied to each product. Our prices are updated every 10–15 minutes.

When selling investment gold, Tavex issues an invoice containing the client’s personal information. An identity document is required to verify this information, in accordance with legal requirements.

No, but if you wish, you can exchange Romanian lei for another currency. Depending on availability, you will receive a preferential exchange rate.

This procedure is necessary because the Romanian leu is the sole legal tender in Romania; consequently, all transactions in the country are conducted using this currency.

No. The main reason is that there is no global secondary market for Romanian coins, unlike for the Vienna Philharmonic, Krugerrand, American Eagle, Australian Kangaroo, Chinese Panda, or Canadian Maple Leaf coins. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee the supply of Romanian coins in sufficient quantities, as we can for the aforementioned investment-grade gold and silver products.

The final price is determined by dynamic factors that carry varying weight for each investment product, depending on the product type and market conditions. The price margin itself represents the price Tavex charges for the service of supplying each product. This price is influenced by the supply and demand for each specific product, both locally and, more significantly, internationally.

We strive to keep all coins and bullion from our portfolio in stock. However, depending on the type of investment products and the quantity requested, you may need to contact us in advance.

Most products displayed in our online store are readily available. Should an item be out of stock, our representative will contact you to arrange a delivery time.

As part of the international Tavid Group, we are able to meet a wide range of customer needs through our partnerships with suppliers worldwide.

Ask our consultants how to store your purchased products.

Please note! When selling a product in a damaged condition (for example, with visible damage or damaged packaging), it will usually be purchased at a lower price per gram of pure gold than if the product were in good commercial condition. The reason is that if the product is not in good commercial condition, it cannot be resold on the secondary market, but must be sent for melting.
All encapsulated bars and coins must be strictly in their original packaging. For all other investment products, cosmetic surface defects such as fingerprints or light scratches are acceptable. Here are some specific examples:

• Coins issued by the Perth Mint, the Australian Lunar and the Australian Kangaroo (99.99% purity), as well as those issued by the Chinese Mint, the Chinese Panda (99.9% purity), must be in excellent condition, as even the slightest scratch or fingerprint can reduce their value.
• Coins such as the Vienna Philharmonic and the Canadian Maple Leaf, although 99.99% pure, may have minor defects such as scratches or fine spots, but they must be in good merchantable condition, without significant damage. The reason for the different attitude towards this type of coin is that the Vienna Philharmonic and the Canadian Maple Leaf are mainly traded on the secondary market, which allows for minor defects. In contrast, the other two types of coins are issued in limited quantities throughout the year, which are sold in individual capsules directly from the refinery, and therefore their condition must be perfect.
• There are also coins with a lower gold purity (91.7%), such as the American Eagle and the Krugerrand. These coins are only traded on the secondary market, and for this reason, small defects on their surface are allowed. However, it must be in good commercial condition – without deep scratches, abrasions or heavy impacts.
• Historical coins may exhibit minor imperfections, as they served as official legal tender in many countries for decades. Coins with minor flaws are repurchased at the listed price. If the defects are more significant, the buyback price is based on the pure gold content.
• Bullion bars from Swiss refineries—such as PAMP, Valcambi, and Argor-Heraeus—come certified and vacuum-sealed, featuring a unique serial number. To qualify for the highest possible buyback price, these products must retain their original, intact packaging.

If you wish to sell investment products from the catalog available on tavex.ro, you must present them at one of Tavex’s offices for evaluation.

If you wish to sell investment gold that is not part of our product catalog, it will be purchased based on the price per gram of pure gold.

We can also purchase other gold items after subjecting them to a brief chemical test to determine their purity. You can find more information about this process in the “Selling gold and silver items” section. Payments are made in cash (up to a limit of 10,000 RON) or via bank transfer.

When selling gold, you must provide an identity document. Tavex will issue a purchase document containing the company’s details and your personal information.

In Romania, there are only two options for storing physical investment gold: at home or in a safe deposit box at a commercial bank.

From our online store, tavex.ro, or from Tavex offices in Romania.

At Tavex offices, payments can be made in cash (up to a limit of 10,000 RON), by bank card or via bank transfer for any amount. For bank transfer payments an invoice is issued beforehand, which must be paid within one hour of issuance.

The buying rate represents the price at which Tavex purchases a specific currency from customers. The selling rate represents the price at which Tavex sells that currency to its customers.

For example, if a customer wishes to buy euros using Romanian lei, the selling rate applies. Conversely, if they wish to sell euros, the buying rate we offer for euros applies.

In Romania, in accordance with the law, foreign currency cannot be ordered online.

Enter the amount for the currency you wish to buy or sell, and the currency calculator will automatically display the value in lei.

You can use the currency calculator to determine the equivalent value of any amount in the currencies we handle. The exchange rates match those listed in our offices.

Please note that Tavex deals only in whole units and accepts only banknotes currently in circulation. If the amount needs to be rounded on-site, you will receive the change in Romanian lei.

We exchange only 1 and 2 euro coins at an exchange rate 10% lower than the displayed rate.

Yes, we have stock available in various banknote denominations.
Please bear in mind that dealing exclusively in small denominations can sometimes be challenging, as they are bulkier and more difficult to transport. It is important to have the right mix of denominations to suit your needs.

You can always consult our team at Tavex offices or contact us at 0735 666 888. You will receive professional advice on the best combination for your specific situation.

Under Romanian law, all currency exchange offices and financial institutions are required to identify their customers before carrying out currency exchange transactions, regardless of the transaction amount.
Transactions with a value equivalent to or exceeding EUR 10,000 are automatically reported to the National Office for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering (ONPCSB).

There is no legal limit on the amount of money exchanged.

If you wish to exchange a large amount of a specific currency, please contact us in advance at 0735 666 888.

Yes, we will buy back banknotes in all currencies for which a buying rate is displayed on the screens in our offices and on tavex.ro.

Reason No. 1 – Market volatility

Market conditions can be extremely volatile; consequently, we may suspend trading in a specific currency. Such decisions are often prompted by periods of crisis for the issuing country—such as war, a pandemic, a currency attack, etc.

Reason No. 2 – Stock depletion

At times, there is a sudden, massive, and unplanned demand for a specific currency, causing it to go out of stock. In such cases, we remove the price listing until we can replenish our inventory as quickly as possible.

Under international regulations, investment gold is defined as falling into one of the following two categories:

Bars:

Pieces made of gold with a purity of at least 99.5%;

Coins:

• Minted after 1800;
• Having a minimum purity of 90% gold;
• Having been or currently being legal tender in the country of issue.

A common characteristic of both categories is that neither investment gold coins nor bars may be sold at a price exceeding the market value of their gold content by 80% or more. If the price margin exceeds this 80% threshold, the seller is required to charge Value Added Tax (VAT), and the products in question can no longer be classified as investment gold.

We do not engage in financial forecasting, as exchange rates depend on the supply and demand for each individual currency.

Please contact us if you wish to exchange an amount exceeding the equivalent of 20,000 RON and ask about our preferential exchange rate. We will honor the agreed rate for one hour, regardless of currency market fluctuations.

Please note that we cannot always offer a better quote for a specific currency.