Gold and silver bars are both 24 karat bullion, sold per tola and checked the same way, but they behave very differently as a purchase. Gold packs far more value into a small bar and has a much smaller gap between the buying and selling rate. Silver lets you start with a much smaller amount, but takes up far more space for the same value and its price has tended to swing more sharply.
This comparison uses PGBX rates posted on 29 September 2026 at 5:42 PM. Rates change through the day, so check the live gold and silver rate before you buy.
Gold vs silver bars at a glance
| Gold bars | Silver bars | |
|---|---|---|
| PGBX sell rate (per tola) | Rs 439,500 | Rs 6,760 |
| PGBX buy rate (per tola) | Rs 438,500 | Rs 6,700 |
| Buy-sell spread | Rs 1,000 per tola (about 0.23%) | Rs 60 per tola (about 0.89%) |
| PGBX bar sizes | 1, 3, 5, 10 tola and 1 kilo | 1, 3, 5, 10 tola, 500 gram and 1 kilo |
| Purity | 999.0 and 999.9 (24 karat) | 999.0 and 999.9 |
| Space for the same value | Very small | About 65 times the weight |
| Zakat nisab | 7.5 tola | 52.5 tola |
Value: how many tola of silver equal 1 tola of gold?
At the sell rates above, 1 tola of gold was worth about 65 tola of silver (Rs 439,500 divided by Rs 6,760). This number is called the gold-to-silver ratio, and it changes as the two prices move.
In practical terms, a 1 kilo silver bar (85.74 tola) held about the same metal value as 1.3 tola of gold. If you want to hold a large amount of value in a small space, gold does it far more compactly.
The buy-sell spread: what it costs to get in and out
Every bullion dealer quotes a sell rate (the price at which the dealer sells to you) and a lower buy rate (the price at which the dealer buys back from you). The gap between them is the spread. It is the cost of buying and later selling back, before any change in the market.
- Gold: Rs 1,000 on a rate of Rs 439,500 per tola, or about 0.23%.
- Silver: Rs 60 on a rate of Rs 6,760 per tola, or about 0.89%.
So on these rates, silver's spread was close to four times gold's as a share of the price. The price has to move further in your favour before a silver bar sells back for more than you paid.
Budget: where you can start
Silver is the easier starting point. A 1 tola silver bar needs only a small budget, and you can add 1, 3, 5 or 10 tola bars over time. A 1 tola gold bar needs a much larger amount at once. If you want to build up slowly in small steps, silver makes that possible; if you already have a larger amount to put in one place, gold is more compact and has a smaller spread.
Storage and handling
Because silver is worth so much less per tola, the same amount of money buys a far heavier and larger quantity of it. A 10 tola gold bar fits in the palm of your hand; the same value in silver would weigh around 650 tola, or more than 7.5 kilos. Think about where and how safely you can keep your bars before choosing silver for a large amount.
Price movement
Both gold and silver prices in Pakistan follow the international market and the rupee's exchange rate. Historically, silver's price has tended to move more sharply than gold's, both up and down. Silver is also widely used in industry, such as electronics and solar panels, so industrial demand plays a larger part in its price. Gold is driven more by its role as a store of value.
Purity is the same standard for both
PGBX gold and silver bars are made in two fineness grades: 999.0 (99.90% pure) and 999.9 (99.99% pure). The fineness and weight are stamped on every bar, along with a serial number you can check on the PGBX verification page. The PGBX rate is the same for 999.0 and 999.9 bars. For more on what the numbers mean, see 999.0 vs 999.9 purity explained.
PGBX bar sizes and weights
Gold bars: 1 tola (11.66 g), 3 tola (34.99 g), 5 tola (58.32 g), 10 tola (116.64 g) and 1 kilo (1,000 g, about 85.74 tola). See all sizes on the Gold Bars in Pakistan page.
Silver bars: 1 tola, 3 tola, 5 tola, 10 tola, 500 gram (about 42.87 tola) and 1 kilo (about 85.74 tola). See all sizes on the Silver Bars in Pakistan page.
Which suits you?
- Gold bars tend to suit buyers who want to hold a larger amount in a small space, who care about a low buy-sell spread, and who prefer steadier price movement.
- Silver bars tend to suit buyers starting with a small budget, who want to add small amounts regularly, and who are comfortable with larger price swings and more storage space.
- Many buyers hold both: gold for the bulk of their savings and silver for smaller, regular additions.
Frequently asked questions
How many tola of silver equal 1 tola of gold?
At PGBX sell rates on 29 September 2026, 1 tola of gold (Rs 439,500) was worth about 65 tola of silver (Rs 6,760 per tola). The ratio changes as the two prices move.
Which has a smaller difference between buying and selling price?
Gold. On 29 September 2026 the PGBX spread was about 0.23% for gold and about 0.89% for silver.
Are PGBX gold and silver bars the same purity?
Both are made in 999.0 (99.90% pure) and 999.9 (99.99% pure) fineness, stamped on the bar.
Is zakat due on gold and silver bars?
Yes, once your wealth reaches nisab and a lunar year has passed. See our guide to zakat on gold and silver in Pakistan.
How do I check a PGBX bar is genuine?
Enter the serial number printed on the bar on the PGBX verification page.
This article compares the two metals to help you decide. It is not financial advice. Bullion prices go down as well as up.
For today's rate or help choosing a size, see the PGBX Gold & Silver Rates page or message PGBX on WhatsApp at 0303-3521555.