Categories of Gold Bars



Categories

‘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.