Discerning collectors can now capture the Pink Panther in pure platinum or pink gold with his hands on a rare pink diamond from Rio Tinto’s famed Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia’s east Kimberley region.
The Pink Panther made his debut in the 1964 self-titled comedy-mystery film. The famed feline proved so popular—accompanied by Henry Marcini’s Grammy Award-winning theme music—that a series of theatrical cartoon shorts fashioned The Pink Panther Show, subsequent box office movies and a range of memorabilia. The latest collector’s items include a trio of limited-edition ingots issued by the Perth Mint.
“Working with Metro Goldwyn Mayer to produce this licensed product range, which also features some of the world’s rarest coloured diamonds, the ingot collection is sure to impress Pink Panther enthusiasts,” said Perth Mint Chief Executive Officer Richard Hayes, who added the trio of limited-edition ingots offers collectors and Pink Panther aficionados an “exciting new way to own a precious keepsake of this beloved character.”
A total of 35 one-ounce platinum ingots were issued by the Perth Mint this month.
Struck from one ounce of 99.95 per cent pure platinum as well as one ounce and 10 ounces of 91.67 per cent pink gold, the reverse of each ingot captures the mischievous and nonchalant nature of the svelte cat as he is poised to pluck a stunning handset Argyle pink diamond from its display plinth. The playful artistry shows the tail of the Pink Panther wrap around the ingot to appear on the obverse, where a second pink diamond is embedded and surrounded by a sculptured gemstone amid a trail of paw prints and star bursts.
Only 35 one-ounce platinum ingots and 300 one-ounce pink gold ingots will be released this month while eight 10-ounce pink gold ingots will be issued in May.
| One ounce pink gold | One ounce platinum | |
| Argyle pink diamonds | 0.08 carats | 0.08 carats |
| Diamond clarity | SIAV | SIAV |
| Diamond quality | Fancy pink/fancy purplish pink | Fancy intense/vivid purplish pink |
| Pink gold | 1 Troy ounce | 1 Troy ounce |
| Fineness | 91.67 per cent | 99.95 per cent |
| Minimum weight | 31.104 grams | 31.104 grams |
| Maximum dimensions | 41.60 mm by 24.60 mm | 41.60 mm by 24.60 mm |
| Maximum thickness | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Maximum mintage | 300 | 35 |
To complement the precocious panther, each ingot is housed in a transparent replica diamond embedded inside a luxurious black presentation case.
Collectors and Pink Panther fans can secure these individual ingots from the mint’s online store at perthmint.com.