How can a Troy Ounce be more than an ounce ?
Precious metals such as gold and silver are often sold by the troy ounce. Many people dont realize that an ounce of gold (and other precious metals) is weighed in a different weighing system called “troy weights”. A troy ounce is more than the typical ounce found at the grocery store. In many English speaking countries there are two systems for measuring weight. One, for precious metals, called the troy ounce. The other is for Commodities such as sugar, grains, and the typical grocery items. It is called the avoirdupois ounce. Avoirdupois weights Here in the USA we often use the avoirdupois ounce for everyday weighing. Every time you step on the scale at home, or weight food found in the grocery, you use the avoirdupois ounce weight system. There are 16 avoirdupois ounces in a pound. 1 avoirdupois ounce = 437.5 grains, or 28.35 grams. 1 avoirdupois pound contains 16 (avoirdupois) ounces. This makes an Avoirdupois pound equal to about 453.6 grams, or the equivalent of 14.583 “troy ounce
