5g Holy Land Mint Gold Bar

A 5g Gold Bar from Israel's Sole Bullion Producer

The 5g Holy Land Mint gold bar is the standard (non-themed) offering from the Israel Coins and Medals Corporation (ICMC), the only bullion manufacturer operating in Israel. This bar contains 5 grams of 999.9 fine gold sealed in tamper-proof packaging with an assay card and serial number.

ICMC was established in 1958 by David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister, as a government entity producing commemorative coins and medals. The company was privatised in 2008 and launched its international bullion brand, the Holy Land Mint, in 2014. While the mint is best known for its Dove of Peace series, which features a dove over the Jerusalem skyline, the generic bar carries the Holy Land Mint branding without the themed imagery. This can result in a marginally lower premium compared to the 5g Dove of Peace bar.

The Holy Land Mint produces bars in metric weights from 1 gram to 100 grams, along with rounds and bars in troy ounce denominations. The manufacturer uses Certieye authentication technology, an optical verification system, and provides sealed PETG packaging with unique serial numbers. These security measures are adequate for the retail market, though they carry less universal recognition than the systems used by major Swiss refiners.

For buyers, the appeal of a Holy Land Mint bar lies primarily in its Israeli provenance. Bullion from Israel is unusual in a market dominated by Swiss, German, Australian, and North American products. The generic bar offers a way to hold Israeli-manufactured gold without the premium associated with the themed Dove of Peace design. In terms of pure investment efficiency at the 5g weight, bars from LBMA Good Delivery refiners such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, and Argor-Heraeus offer broader dealer acceptance and tighter buyback spreads.

5g Holy Land Mint Gold Bar Details

Security Features

The bar is sealed in tamper-proof PETG blister packaging with a security film. Each bar comes with an assay card bearing a unique serial number. The Holy Land Mint uses Certieye authentication technology for optical verification. These features provide standard anti-counterfeiting protection for the retail market.

About the Holy Land Mint

Despite the "Mint" in its name, ICMC is not a monetary authority. The Bank of Israel handles Israel's circulating currency. ICMC's original mandate was to commemorate national events through coins and medals. The 2014 pivot to investment bullion under the Holy Land Mint brand was a commercial diversification. The company is now privately held following its 2008 acquisition by G.R.A.S. Group. Products are distributed primarily through US dealers (APMEX, JM Bullion, Money Metals) and directly through the Holy Land Mint website.

Tax Treatment of the 5g Holy Land Mint Gold Bar

At 999.9 fine gold, this bar meets investment gold purity thresholds universally. It is not legal tender in any jurisdiction and carries no face value.

United Kingdom

VAT-exempt as investment gold at 995+ fineness. Subject to Capital Gains Tax because the bar is not UK legal tender. The annual CGT allowance is £3,000, with rates of 18% or 24% above that threshold. UK investors seeking CGT exemption at a small gold weight should consider UK legal tender products like Britannia bars. The Holy Land Mint bar is eligible for SIPP inclusion, which provides tax relief at the holder's marginal rate and shelters gains from CGT.

United States

The 999.9 purity exceeds the IRS 99.5% threshold for Gold IRA eligibility. The Holy Land Mint is not an LBMA Good Delivery refiner, so IRA custodians may require additional verification of the product's eligibility. Capital gains on physical gold are taxed at the federal collectibles rate of up to 28%, plus potential Net Investment Income Tax of 3.8%. Sales tax varies by state.

Canada

Gold bars at 99.5%+ purity are exempt from GST/HST. Not eligible for RRSP or TFSA accounts (requires government-minted coins with face value). The bar is classified as Listed Personal Property for capital gains purposes, with the $1,000 threshold potentially relevant for smaller denomination disposals.

European Union

VAT-exempt as investment gold under Directive 98/80/EC across all member states. Capital gains rules vary: Germany exempts gains after one year of holding; Belgium has no capital gains tax on personal investments; France applies a precious metals tax.

Australia and New Zealand

GST-free in Australia for gold at 99.5%+ purity in investment form. GST-exempt in New Zealand at the same threshold. Australia provides a 50% CGT discount for assets held longer than 12 months.

Singapore and Hong Kong

GST-exempt in Singapore under the IPM scheme. Hong Kong has no sales tax, no import duty, and no capital gains tax. Both are tax-efficient jurisdictions for gold bullion.

Holy Land Mint 5g Bar vs Dove of Peace and Other Options

The 5g Holy Land Mint generic bar sits between the themed Dove of Peace variant from the same manufacturer and the mainstream LBMA refiner bars that dominate this weight class.

Against the Dove of Peace

The 5g Dove of Peace gold bar contains identical gold content at the same 999.9 purity, uses the same PETG packaging and Certieye security, and comes from the same manufacturer. The difference is the design: the Dove of Peace carries the iconic dove-and-olive-branch motif over the Jerusalem skyline, while the generic bar uses standard Holy Land Mint branding. The Dove of Peace may command a modest design premium. Buyers indifferent to the themed imagery may find the generic bar at a slightly lower cost, depending on dealer pricing.

Against LBMA Good Delivery Bars

The 5g Valcambi bar, 5g PAMP Fortuna, and 5g Argor-Heraeus bar come from full LBMA Good Delivery refiners with global dealer networks and industry-standard authentication systems. These bars will generally offer tighter bid-ask spreads on resale and broader acceptance internationally. The Holy Land Mint's strength is its unique Israeli origin, not its investment efficiency.

Against Other Small Mints

The Holy Land Mint is comparable in scale and market position to other niche producers like Geiger Edelmetalle (Germany) or Emirates Gold (UAE). Each brings a regional identity and cultural distinctiveness to the 5g gold bar market. All trail the Swiss and Australian majors in international dealer acceptance but serve buyers for whom provenance and identity carry value beyond the metal content.