1g Chinese Lunar Gold Bar

Dubai-Made Zodiac Gold at Entry Level

The 1g Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar gold bar pairs 999.9 fine gold with Chinese zodiac imagery, produced by Emirates Gold DMCC in Dubai. Emirates Gold was established in 1992 by Mohamed Sharkachi and has grown into one of the largest refineries in the Middle East. Following the founder's death, the company was acquired by Bright East Holding 1 (an Abu Dhabi Global Market entity) in September 2024.

The Chinese Lunar series features designs based on the 12-year zodiac cycle, changing annually to depict the animal of the current year. This positions the bar as both a small gold investment and a culturally themed gift, particularly for Lunar New Year celebrations. The zodiac motif is shared with products from several other refiners and mints, but Emirates Gold's version is specifically produced for the Gulf and South/East Asian diaspora markets where Chinese zodiac gold products carry strong cultural significance.

At the 1g weight, this bar occupies the smallest standard denomination for gold bullion. The absolute cost is modest (roughly $100-$120 depending on spot), but premiums at this weight are the highest of any standard size, typically 8-15% over spot. Fixed manufacturing and packaging costs dominate the price at 1g, making it a gift or novelty item rather than a cost-efficient accumulation tool.

Emirates Gold holds LBMA Associate Supplier status, which is a lower tier than full Good Delivery accreditation. This means the company's products are recognised within the LBMA framework but may not have the same universal dealer acceptance as bars from full Good Delivery refiners like PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, or Heraeus. In the Gulf region's gold market, where Emirates Gold is well established, this distinction matters less than it does in European or North American dealer networks.

Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar 1g Gold Bar Specifications

Design

The reverse design changes annually to feature the Chinese zodiac animal for that year, following the 12-year cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Dragon year bars typically carry the strongest collector demand across all zodiac producers, reflecting the dragon's cultural significance in Chinese tradition as the most powerful and auspicious of the twelve animals.

The bar carries the Emirates Gold logo, weight and fineness markings (999.9), and is individually stamped with a serial number. Bars are sealed in protective packaging. Emirates Gold's Die Making and Minting division produces the bars in-house at their Dubai facility using state-of-the-art machinery. The same division produces themed collections including regional landmarks and cultural subjects alongside the Chinese Lunar range.

Emirates Gold does not publish detailed dimensions for their smaller bar products in the same comprehensive format as European refiners. The company also produces bars in tola weights (1 tola = 11.66g, approximately 3/8 troy oz), a measurement system still widely used for gold trading in South Asia and the Gulf, alongside the standard metric and troy ounce denominations.

Tax Treatment for the Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar 1g Gold Bar

The 999.9 purity qualifies this bar for investment gold tax exemptions in most jurisdictions. It is not legal tender and has no face value.

United Arab Emirates (Home Market)

Investment gold is zero-rated for VAT in the UAE. The country's tax-free environment for gold bullion is a major driver of Dubai's precious metals trade. No capital gains tax applies. No import duty on investment gold.

United Kingdom

Gold bars at 995+ purity are VAT-exempt under the Investment Gold Exemption. Bars are not CGT-exempt. Only UK legal tender coins carry the CGT exemption. Gains above the annual £3,000 CGT allowance are taxable. Emirates Gold products have limited availability through UK dealers compared to Swiss or UK-refined bars.

United States

For IRA eligibility, the IRS requires gold bars to come from LBMA-accredited or COMEX-approved refiners. Emirates Gold holds LBMA Associate Supplier status (not full Good Delivery), so IRA eligibility should be confirmed with the specific custodian. State sales tax exemptions apply in approximately 35 states.

Singapore

Investment gold is GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme for gold from approved refiners at 99.5%+ purity. Singapore's South Asian and Chinese diaspora populations create demand for both Diwali and zodiac-themed gold products. No capital gains tax in Singapore.

Hong Kong

No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax. Strong secondary market for Chinese zodiac gold products due to cultural affinity.

Other Markets

• Canada: GST/HST-exempt for gold at 99.5%+ purity
• Australia: GST-free for investment-grade gold at 99.5%+ purity
• EU: Investment gold at 995+ purity is VAT-exempt under the EU Investment Gold Directive

Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar vs Other Zodiac Gold Bars

The Chinese zodiac gold bar market has multiple producers competing across different price tiers and geographic markets. The key variables are brand recognition, accreditation level, and regional availability.

The 1g Asahi Lunar gold bar is a direct competitor in the same weight and theme category. Asahi Refining holds full LBMA Good Delivery and COMEX-approved status (a tier above Emirates Gold's Associate Supplier designation), making Asahi bars more widely accepted across Western dealer networks and IRA-eligible for US investors. Asahi's series is newer (launched 2023/2024) but benefits from the institutional credibility inherited from Johnson Matthey's refining operations.

The Perth Mint Lunar series is the dominant player in zodiac-themed bullion. Perth Mint products are government-backed (Western Australian Government), strike at 999.9 purity, carry legal tender status, and have a collector following built over three completed 12-year cycles since 1996. Perth Mint bars command higher premiums but offer substantially stronger resale liquidity and recognition.

PAMP Suisse produces lunar zodiac bars at the highest premium tier. PAMP's Swiss branding, CertiPAMP packaging, and global dealer network make its zodiac bars the most liquid themed option. The 1g PAMP Fortuna gold bar (non-themed) remains the most liquid small gold bar of any kind.

The Emirates Gold bar's strength is its home market positioning. In the Gulf states, where the company is well known and the zero-VAT environment makes Dubai a competitive gold-buying destination, Emirates Gold products are widely available through Gold Souk retailers, mall jewellers, and online dealers. For buyers outside the Gulf region, the Associate Supplier status and limited Western dealer distribution make the Emirates Gold bar a less liquid choice than LBMA Good Delivery alternatives.