[GoldNugget]

Beijing Olympic Games Gold Bar issued

The second set of Beijing Olympic Games Gold Bars issued by China Golddeal Beijing Investment Co., Ltd. will record a total circulation of 2008 kilograms. According to the design concept of Beijing Olympic Games Gold Bar, a pattern of "2008" can be made up with five sets of gold bars. It was learned that the original-color collection of Beijing Olympic Games Gold Bars will be issued in five batches and the first set has come out this February.

Investors pin hopes on sustained China gold rush
By Geoff Dyer in Shanghai posted in ft.com

Rivalry between China's two main cities is rife, but Shanghai's Old Phoenix jewellery store is doing a roaring trade in small gold bars embossed with the logo for the Beijing Olympics.

At just under $2,000 (€1,700, £1,150) for a nugget the size of a cigarette lighter, there are plenty of cheaper 2008 Olympics memorabilia on Shanghai's main shopping street, but that has not held back demand. "There will be a new bar every year until 2008 and many people want the complete set," says a salesman.

At the Old Phoenix shop, customers buying gold bars linked to the lunar calendar - this year's bears a dog symbol - can sell them back at the market price. It is a way of buying an attractive object and speculating at the same time, says Shi Xiaofeng, the store manager. Last year, more than 10 per cent of buyers resold the bars.