Bullion
Watch
Bars
There is a
remarkable range of bullion watches pioneered
by Pamp SA (Switzerland) that are designed to be traded,
like bullion bars or coins, according to the prevailing
value of their fine gold content. Launched
internationally in Hong Kong in 1994, they incorporate
circular dials which contain either 1 oz or ? oz of
99.99% gold. They are available in more than 100
different styles and designs in 3 categories designated:
man, woman and
unisex. Straps can be in gold, steel or
leather.
Fine
Art
Bars
The two series
of innovative gold proof bars with a gold purity of
99.99%, which were minted by the Singapore Mint in 1994 -
Balinese Girl (75 g), which is one of four
decorative Art Ingots, and $10: The
Government of the Strait Settlement(41 g), one of
four decorative ingots depicting historical banknotes.
Bas-Relief Bar
This unusual
bar is manufactured by Buan Hua Long (Thailand) which
still marks its standard 5, 10 and 25 baht bars in
bas-relief. The marks, carved into the base of the bar
mould, are formed as soon as the molten gold is poured
into the mould. This traditional method of marking cast
bars eliminates the need for conventional marking tools:
dies, punches and hammers.
Full-Colour Bars
One dimensional designs in full
colour are now applied to decorative gold bars. In 1996,
Pamp (Switzerland) issued a range of 10 g oval pendant
bars depicting characters from Indian mythology (eg
Krishna, Laxmiji) in full colour.
Cartoon Bars
Famous cartoon characters are now
being depicted on small gold bars. In 1996, Pamp
(Switzerland) introduced designs from Warner Bros (eg
Tweety and Bugs Bunny) and, in 1997, from Disney (eg
Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck).
Minted Brick Bars
A 50 g
minted bar, manufactured by SEMPSA (Spain) in the shape
of a brick is unique. It is the only minted bar among accredited bar manufacturers worldwide to have
tapered sides, closely resembling the shape of typical
large 400 oz (12.5 kg) London Good Delivery Bars.
Model Bars
LG Metals Corporation (South Korea)
has issued, since 1991, a traditional range of
model bars (average purity 99.98%) in the
form of pigs (a symbol of wealth), toads (good fortune)
and turtles (longevity). Denominated in Dons,
a Korean unit of weight (1 don equals 3.75
g), they are normally traded at a small premium above the
gold price. Model bars are especially popular
among Koreans as gifts for weddings and anniversaries.
Mirror Bar
The unusual
mirror bar, is available in 1, 2 and 4 baht
weights, which was manufactured by Yoo Long Kim Kee
(Thailand) in 1989. |