Further to the newsletter last week, we have had feedback that some LPPM Good Delivery Refiners would prefer numbers to signify the month of manufacture on their Good Delivery bars.
In order to satisfy all preferences, the LPPM Management Committee has decided to allow refiners to use either letters or numbers to signify the month of manufacture. Please see below:
Plates and ingots must be marked on the larger surface of the two main surfaces of the ingot. This is the surface that would normally be uppermost when the ingots are stacked. The marks should include the stamp of the refiner (which, if necessary for clear identification, should include its location), the assay mark (where used), the fineness, the serial number (which must not comprise of more than 12 digits or characters), the letters PT or PLATINUM or PD or PALLADIUM (as appropriate), the month and year of production and the weight in grams, kilograms or troy ounces. The month and year of manufacture should be shown as the month abbreviation (see Annex H) and the four-digit year number, The effective date remains January 1st, 2023.
Example, using letters for August 2022:
Date stamp on its own: Aug2022 or
Date stamp as prefix to the Reference number: Aug2022A001
Example, using numbers for August:
Date stamp on its own: 082022 or
Date stamp as prefix to the Reference number: 082022A001
Marks should be clear and may be applied to plates or ingots either by using conventional stamping or by dot matrix (pneumatic punching), provided always that if pneumatic punching is used the marks must be no less clear and at least as durable as if conventional stamping had been used.
These new rules regarding bar markings will be revised and added to the website prior to the start date, along with annex H, the list of month abbreviations. See below.
If you have any questions, please contact John Fairley: john.fairley@lppm.com
John Cullen
Chairman - LPPM
Annex H
Month abbreviation markings
Bar Marking Month Abbreviations
| Month | Numbers | Abbreviation |
|---|
| January |
01 |
Jan |
| February |
02 |
Feb |
| March |
03 |
Mar |
| April |
04 |
Apr |
| May |
05 |
May |
| June |
06 |
Jun |
| July |
07 |
Jul |
| August |
08 |
Aug |
| September |
09 |
Sep |
| October |
10 |
Oct |
| November |
11 |
Nov |
| December |
12 |
Dec |
N.B. refiners should use the numbers or letters, not both