It's a cool mintThe American company entrusted with the task of producing fine collectibles, Franklin Mint has brought out a gold coin featuring the Taj Mahal. Minted and designed by French museum Monnaie de Paris, the coin is studded with 68 hand-set Cartier diamonds and over 2 lbs of solid gold. Valued at $160,000 (Rs 73.42 lakh) apiece, the coins are limited to 29 pieces and are encased in leather displays handcrafted by French luggage manufacturer Goyard. A piece of art, a collector's item or an investment opportunity, whatever you choose to call it, this new creation in coinage blends French craft with Indian heritage.
Sound effectThe amplifier may be called the other half of rock 'n' roll, but is it worth shelling out NT$550,000 (Rs 8.28 lakh) for? Taiwan's Masterpiece Audio seems to think so. The company has launched an integrated 300B amplifier featuring one stereo XLR input, separate right and left channels for stereophonic sound and a frequency ranging from 20Hz to 20 kHz, at just that price. The gold knobs and classic box-like shape that gives it an antique look are free add-ons. Fancy one?
