In our various investment products, you will regularly find coins and ingots with the weight of a troy ounce. This very specific weight of 31.10 grams is used by most precious metal producers. But do you know where this original, internationally popular weight comes from?

To understand it, we have to go back to the Middle Ages and in particular to the famous Champagne fairs. From the 12th century onwards, in the heart of France, several towns in the Champagne region became known throughout Europe for their commercial appeal. They benefited from a privileged location in the heart of Europe and political stability, which guaranteed that merchants could trade in complete security. Merchants from all over Europe flocked to these markets, which sold everything of value that could be traded in the Middle Ages.

But there was still a problem. How to weigh precious metals and spices coming from all over Europe in this crowd of exchanges? It is important to understand that in the Middle Ages there were many different weights used regionally. It was therefore necessary to be able to agree on the units of weight and measurement so that trade could take place as transparently as possible and thus guarantee the success of the fairs.

The use of the marc de Paris, then used in Troyes, was to be imposed for transactions in precious metals and spices at the Champagne fairs. The marc de Paris weighs 244.753 grams and is divided into eight ounces of 30.59 grams. This is close to the weight of an ounce as we know it today, but it has evolved a little further. This marc de Paris, called marc de Troyes in the Champagne fairs, will spread internationally under this name. It even became a standard in the Netherlands and in England.

Although the Champagne fairs lost their lustre in the 14th century, the use of the Troyes ounce continued in France and abroad. In England, Henry VIII confirmed in 1527 the use of the troy ounce, the weight of which corresponds to one twelfth of the troy pound, i.e. 373.24 grams. Divided by twelve, we obtain the weight we know today, 31.10 grams.

And it is because Troyes has radiated for at least a century thanks to these fairs which are real economic but also cultural crossroads, that the use of the Troyes ounce for precious metals has gradually imposed itself through the centuries.

The ounce has succeeded in crossing the ages but also very different cultural and geographical areas. Because of its international use, it has survived the metric system that was imposed in France during the French Revolution.

Finally, Godot & Fils is not to be outdone, since since 2020 we have been minting a pure gold coin, the Epargnor, with a weight of ... 1 ounce. The circle is complete!