Greedy pigs go wild for gold

China Gold Coin Corporation are celebrating the Chinese year of the pig with some special issue gold bars.

Investment grade gold bullion which is 99.99 per cent pure gold will go on sale this Friday and 3,000 kg of the precious metal will be available to the public.

The year of the pig is the final year in a 12-year rotation of the lunar calendar and as superstition would have it, it is an especially rich and lucky year. Therefore sales of the gold are expected to increase.

Gold bullion can be sold back to the China Gold Coin Corporation at any time and so the sale is seen as a safe investment.

Chen Kui, vice general manager of Shanghai Gold Coin Investment Company, said: "Most buyers look at the bullion as a long-term investment rather than a means to make a short-term profit."

Chinese years are based on the elements such as wood or water and 2007 is the year for metal so the gold may prove popular.

The company has previously sold special issue gold bullion for the year of the sheep in 2002.