‘Pendant’ Bars

Degussa (Germany) is recorded as the first among accredited manufacturers to have manufactured in 1978 a minted bar in an unconventional (hexagonal) shape and incorporating a hole to facilitate its use as a pendant. In 1984, Pamp (Switzerland) expanded the concept, pioneering the production of minted bars in many unusual shapes, as well as incorporating hangers.

‘Double Pendant’ Bars

In 1996, Pamp (Switzerland) launched ‘double-pendant’ bars in the Middle East. They are available in three weights (10 g, 7.5 g and 5 g) with two inner shapes: heart and circular.

‘Bank’ Bars

Many banks issue minted bars, marked with their own name but manufactured by an external manufacturer. In Europe and Brazil, minted ‘bank’ bars are widely available.

‘Commemorative’ Bars

Some accredited manufacturers, most notably Degussa (Germany) and Degussa (Brazil), issue minted bars commemorating important national or international events. The minting of ‘commemorative’ bars, incorporating the mark of the accredited manufacturer.

‘Heart’ Bars

Innovative ‘heart’ bars, defined as heart-shaped or incorporating a heart design, were first made by Pamp SA in 1994, the outcome of a World Gold Council initiative in Singapore. The ‘heart’ bars of ARY Traders (UAE), launched in 1997, have aroused much interest in UAE, Pakistan and India.

‘Kinebars™’

Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS), through its subsidiary refinery, Argor-Heraeus SA, has applied a KINEGRAM™ as a security device to the reverse of its minted bars since December 1993. This new bar is called kinebar™ and is the trade mark of the security device developed by Landis & Gyr Communications.