The term “AVDP” stands for “Avoirdupois,” referring to a system of weight measurement widely used in the United States and countries that have historically followed the British Imperial system. The Avoirdupois system is the standard for measuring most goods in everyday life, but the Troy system is the norm when it comes to precious metals like gold and silver. Understanding the differences between these two systems is crucial, especially in the context of precious metals investing.
Understanding the Avoirdupois System
The Avoirdupois system is pronounced “ah-vwah-doo-pwah” and originates from around the 13th century. It was initially used for weighing wool, a significant commodity in trade between England and other nations. Avoirdupois comes from the Anglo-Norman French phrase “aveir de pois,” or “goods of weight.” The AVDP system was ideal for trading bulk goods, where precise and consistent measurement was paramount for conducting trade.
In the Avoirdupois system, the pound is the basic unit of weight. Each pound is divided into 16 ounces, and each ounce is further divided into fractions (i.e., 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce) rather than drams. The system was structured this way to allow for easy division by half, quarter, and eighth, making it practical for various types of trade. In 1959, an international agreement standardized the Avoirdupois pound to be exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, ensuring consistency across different countries that use this system.
Why do We Use the Avoirdupois System?
The Avoirdupois system became the standard for most goods because of its practicality. It makes it easier for merchants and consumers to easily measure and compare weights, contributing to its widespread adoption. The Avoirdupois system is the default weight system in the United States. In the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries that once formed part of the British Empire, the Avoirdupois system is used alongside the metric system.
Avoirdupois in Everyday Use
The AVDP system is embedded in daily life for much of the world, especially in the West and nations that were part of the British Empire. Whether you are weighing produce at the grocery store or stepping on a scale to measure your body weight, it is measured in pounds and ounces according to the Avoirdupois system. In industrial settings, materials are often weighed in tons using the AVDP ton, or 2,000 pounds. Despite the global shift towards the metric system, the Avoirdupois system remains deeply ingrained in American culture and commerce. Its ease of use and familiarity ensure that it continues to be the standard for most non-precious goods.
The Difference Between Avoirdupois and Troy Ounces
While the Avoirdupois system is the standard for most everyday measurements, the Troy system is utilized for precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Knowing the differences between these systems is essential for those planning to buy gold, silver, or another precious metal, as confusion between them can lead to misunderstandings about weight and value. Both systems use the same names for basic units of measure, like the ounce and pound, but assign different weights each.
In the Avoirdupois system, an ounce weighs 28.35 grams, and a pound weighs 16 ounces. In the Troy system of measurement, an ounce weighs 31.10 grams, and there are 12 ounces in each pound. So, while a Troy ounce weighs more than an Avoirdupois ounce, an Avoirdupois pound has a greater weight than a Troy pound.
The Weight of Ounces and Pounds in the Troy and ADVP Systems
- One Avoirdupois ounce: 28.35 grams
- One Troy ounce: 31.10 grams
- One Avoirdupois pound: 16 ounces (453.59 grams)
- One Troy pound: 12 ounces (373.24 grams)
Similarities Between the Troy and Avoirdupois Systems
One unit is equal between the Troy and Avoirdupois measuring systems. The unit weight of one grain is equal between these systems, which allows for fast and easy conversion between Troy and Avoirdupois. This is one of the reasons the grain is used in precious metals.
Why are Troy Ounces Used in Precious Metals?
The name of the Troy measurement system likely originated in Troyes, France, in the Middle Ages. Troyes was a significant hub for trade at the time, and merchants there used a measure of 480 grains of barley for ounces and 12 ounces for pounds. Using the Troy system for precious metals ensures international standardization for the weights and values of precious metals.
