There's Gold in Them Thar Easter Eggs

Looking for a rock solid investment that will surely increase in value over the next year? I have one for you – Selfridges are selling chocolate Easter eggs with a gold coin embedded in the chocolate..

Historically, gold has performed well during financial crises because investors believe it is one of the few commodities to hold its value during inflationary bubbles.The coin embedded in the modest-sized egg, no higher than a foot, weighs exactly one troy ounce – 10 per cent heavier than a standard ounce and the measurement used in the gold industry. At the end of last week gold was trading at $905 an ounce (£610).

Selfridges insists, however, the coin is a particularly rare one that the Royal Mint no longer produces and is therefore worth £900. I would beg to differ here as gold is gold, but it is an entertaining novelty. Even if the investment returns do not appeal, the egg is made by one of London's finest chocolate companies, Melt, which supplies many of London's  leading restaurants with their chocolates.

The egg is decorated with 18 carat gold leaf and filled with Melt's award winning sea salted caramels although the eggs are made to order by Melt's head chocolatier Chika Watanabe using a choice of single origin Venezuelan, Madagascan, Colombian or Caribbean chocolate.

According to Ewan Venters, Director of Food and Restaurants at Selfridges – "Don't invest in the stock market this Easter, invest in the golden egg instead, it really is worth its weight in gold – even after the fantastic chocolate has been eaten."

Not actually bad advice. I can't see the stock markets doing anything other than continuing downwards this year and the luxury property market as all but collapsed.