1/10 oz PAMP Suisse Lunar Gold Coin

Swiss-Refined Lunar Gold in Fractional Coin Format

The 1/10 oz PAMP Suisse Lunar gold coin contains 3.11 grams of 999.9 fine gold, produced by one of the most recognised refineries in the precious metals industry. PAMP (Produits Artistiques Metaux Precieux) is an LBMA-accredited Swiss refinery founded in 1977 in Ticino, part of the MKS PAMP Group, and their Lunar programme has become one of the most collected zodiac-themed gold series in the world.

The PAMP Lunar programme comprises two distinct series. The original Lunar Calendar Series ran from 2012 to 2023, completing a full twelve-year Chinese zodiac cycle from Dragon through Rabbit. The successor Lunar Legend Series launched in 2024 and shifts from straightforward zodiac depictions to the mythological stories behind each animal, starting with the Azure Dragon and continuing with the White Snake (2025) and Horse (2026). This reboot adds narrative depth that differentiates the second cycle from the first.

PAMP is best known for its gold bars, and the Lunar programme has historically centred on minted bar formats. The coin format at 1/10 oz provides an alternative for buyers who prefer the coin form factor, though the bars (particularly the popular 5g and 1 oz sizes) remain the most widely traded PAMP Lunar products. The coin shares the same 999.9 purity and zodiac design themes as the bars but in a round format rather than PAMP's signature rectangular minted shape.

For buyers drawn to the Lunar theme, PAMP occupies a space between pure investment bullion and collectible product. The annual design changes create ongoing collector demand, while the LBMA pedigree and Veriscan authentication technology provide institutional-grade credibility that private-mint themed products often lack.

PAMP Lunar 1/10 oz Gold Coin Specifications

Authentication and Packaging

PAMP products from 2017 onwards include Veriscan anti-counterfeiting technology, which maps the microscopic surface topography of each piece at the production line and stores the data in PAMP's database. Verification can be performed through the Veriscan iOS app or with a flatbed scanner, and the scan works through sealed CertiPAMP packaging without opening the assay card. Veriscan holds LBMA Security Feature accreditation, the highest industry standard for bullion authentication.

Each piece is sealed in PAMP's distinctive red CertiPAMP tamper-evident assay card displaying weight, purity, metal content, serial number, and the certified assayer's signature. Removing a bar or coin from its CertiPAMP card reduces its resale value, as the sealed packaging is integral to authentication and provenance. Pre-2017 pieces lack Veriscan but retain serial numbers and CertiPAMP packaging.

PAMP Lunar Gold Coin Tax Position

The PAMP Lunar coin is a refined gold product from a private refinery, not a government-issued legal tender coin. This distinction affects tax treatment in jurisdictions that differentiate between the two.

• UK: VAT-free. Gold of 999.9 fineness qualifies for the investment gold exemption regardless of whether it is a coin or bar, legal tender or private product. However, PAMP products are not CGT-exempt in the UK. Only UK legal tender coins (Britannias, Sovereigns) and Crown Dependency legal tender qualify for CGT exemption. Capital gains on PAMP gold are taxable at the individual's rate. UK buyers seeking CGT-efficient fractional gold should consider the 1/10 oz Britannia.
• USA: IRA-eligible. The 999.9 purity exceeds the IRS threshold of 99.5% for gold in Individual Retirement Accounts. State sales tax varies; approximately 35 states exempt precious metals purchases.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt for gold refined to 99.5% or higher purity.
• EU: Investment gold VAT exemption applies for gold bars and coins of 995+ fineness.
• Switzerland: Investment gold (995+ fineness) is VAT-exempt. PAMP products can be purchased directly from GOLDAVENUE, PAMP's own retail platform, with Swiss storage options.
• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme. PAMP has strong recognition in Asian markets, and the Lunar theme has cultural resonance for Chinese New Year gifting.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax or import duty.

PAMP Lunar vs Perth Lunar, Royal Mint Lunar, and RCM Lunar

The zodiac-themed gold market has multiple entrants, each with distinct strengths. The PAMP Lunar coin at 1/10 oz competes in this space from the position of a premium Swiss refinery rather than a sovereign mint.

The 1/10 oz Perth Lunar is the benchmark against which all lunar-themed gold is measured. Perth Mint's programme has been running since 1996 (now in Series III), offering the widest range of sizes (1/20 oz to 10 oz in gold) and the deepest secondary market of any lunar coin. Perth Lunar coins are Australian legal tender, giving them advantages in certain tax frameworks. The Perth Mint's three-generation history means there is a well-established collector ecosystem with known mintages and documented price histories. PAMP Lunar products generally trade at a different premium structure: the Swiss refinery pedigree and Veriscan authentication command a premium, but the coins lack the legal tender status and sovereign mint backing that Perth offers.

The 1/10 oz RAM Lunar provides another Australian legal tender option. The Royal Australian Mint's Lunar series started in 2020 and offers 999.9 fine gold with limited mintages (5,000 for 1 oz gold). RAM Lunar coins trade at lower premiums than PAMP Lunar products, partly due to less established brand recognition in the global lunar coin market.

The 1/10 oz RCM Lunar from the Royal Canadian Mint takes a collector-oriented approach with very limited mintages (as few as 1,888 pieces for gold issues). These are semi-numismatic products rather than bullion-grade coins, and they command premiums well above metal value.

PAMP's distinctive position is the combination of Swiss LBMA-accredited refinery origin, Veriscan authentication technology, and the cultural significance of the zodiac theme. Buyers who prioritise authentication certainty and refinery pedigree may prefer PAMP; those who prioritise legal tender status and sovereign mint backing will lean toward the Perth or RAM alternatives.