Kinebar® by Argor-Heraeus
Discover how Argor-Heraeus redefined gold investment with the Kinebar®—a unique fusion of Swiss craftsmanship, advanced security, and timeless elegance. As the only precious metals refiner in the world authorized and equipped to apply Kinegram® technology to gold bars, we continue to set the global standard for beauty and trust in precious metals.
Gold has always symbolized beauty, wealth, and reliability. But in a world where authenticity, security, and design are more important than ever, we believe owning gold should offer more. That belief led to one of our most iconic innovations: the Kinebar®.
This exceptional gold bar merges cutting-edge security with striking visual elegance, setting a new benchmark in the precious metals industry.
A global innovation born in Swizerland
In 1993, a dazzling innovation emerged from the heart of Switzerland that would forever change the world of precious metals: the Kinebar®. Developed through a pioneering collaboration between Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS), Argor-Heraeus, and the Zug-based tech firm Landis & Gyr, the Kinebar® was the first gold bar in the world to feature a patented optical security feature on its reverse side.
UBS called it “a glittering jewel” and “the diamond among gold bars”—and the world took notice. Following its Swiss debut, the Kinebar® embarked on a global tour, captivating markets in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, the Middle East, Japan, and eventually North and South America. Investors everywhere were drawn to its unique combination of security, beauty, and Swiss precision.
Kinegram®: security you can see
Behind every Kinebar® is the Kinegram®, a high-security, computer-generated image micro-engraved directly onto the gold surface.
The name “Kinegram” comes from the Greek words kinein (to move) and gramma (drawing), and its roots go back to early motion illusions from the 1890s. But the Kinegram® as we know it today was developed in the 1980s to protect banknotes from color copier fraud. In 1985, it was first applied to a Saudi Arabian passport, and since then, it’s been trusted in passports, ID cards, visas, and currency around the world.
Through intensive R&D between Landis & Gyr and Argor-Heraeus, this technology was adapted for precious metals. The result is a shimmering, animated effect that changes as you tilt the bar—visually captivating and virtually impossible to replicate. Unlike stickers or overlays, the Kinegram® is embedded directly into the gold surface, enabling instant visual verification without the need for tools or expertise.
Argor-Heraeus is proudly the only precious metals refiner in the world licensed to use this technology on gold bars, making every Kinebar® truly one of a kind.
Designed to impress, built to protect
Each Kinebar® is a fusion of Swiss precision and advanced security. Minted from 99.99% pure gold, the obverse displays the Argor-Heraeus logo, along with the bar’s weight and fineness. The reverse features the Kinegram®—a holographic version of our logo, surrounded by a finely detailed guilloché pattern, a design technique often seen in luxury watchmaking and currency printing.
Every bar is sealed in a tamper-evident blister pack and accompanied by an assay certificate, verifying its authenticity and specifications. Whether as a secure investment or a luxurious gift, the Kinebar® is a testament to innovation, elegance, and trust.
In a world where beauty and security rarely coexist, the Kinebar® stands apart. It goes beyond a gold bar, it becomes a symbol of trust, a work of art, and a technological achievement.