1/10 oz Royal Australian Mint Lunar Gold Coin

Australia's National Mint Enters the Lunar Gold Market

The 1/10 oz RAM Lunar gold coin is part of the Royal Australian Mint's investment coin series following the twelve-year Chinese zodiac cycle. Launched in 2020 with the Year of the Mouse (Rat), this programme represents RAM's entry into a market segment long dominated by the Perth Mint's Lunar series. The coin contains 3.11 grams of 999.9 fine gold and carries an Australian dollar face value, making it legal tender of the Commonwealth of Australia.

RAM and the Perth Mint are entirely separate operations, and the distinction matters. RAM is the national mint of Australia (a federal government entity based in Canberra), responsible for producing Australia's circulating coinage and commemorative issues. The Perth Mint is a state government enterprise of Western Australia. Perth Mint's 1/10 oz Perth Lunar coins have been in production since 1996 (now in Series III), giving them a 24-year head start in brand recognition and collector infrastructure.

RAM's Lunar coins differentiate themselves through design style and production approach. The reverse designs use a contemporary Australian aesthetic that is more modern and stylised than Perth Mint's traditional Chinese-influenced motifs. Gold mintages are limited to 5,000 pieces per year for the 1 oz version (with the 1/10 oz being comparably restricted), placing these coins in a collectible-bullion crossover niche. The lower mintages and newer entry into the market translate to lower premiums compared to Perth Mint Lunar coins, offering better value for buyers interested in lunar-themed Australian gold.

RAM Lunar 1/10 oz Gold Coin Specifications

Release Schedule

The 2020 Year of the Rat was notable as the first RAM coin to incorporate their new three-level security system. Specific details of the security features are not widely published, following a security-through-obscurity approach. The obverse transitioned from the Jody Clark portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (2020 to 2024) to a King Charles III effigy from 2025 onwards. RAM states that the gold coins are produced from ethically sourced Australian gold.

RAM Lunar Gold Tax Treatment by Country

As Australian legal tender gold of 999.9 fineness, the RAM Lunar qualifies for investment gold exemptions across all major bullion markets.

• Australia: GST-free. Investment-grade gold coins (purity 99.5% or higher, in coin form, commonly traded on commodity markets) are exempt from the 10% Goods and Services Tax. Capital gains tax applies to profits, with a 50% CGT discount available for individuals who hold the asset for more than 12 months.
• UK: VAT-free as investment gold (999.9 fineness exceeds the 995 threshold). Not CGT-exempt, as it is not UK legal tender. Capital gains are taxable at the individual's rate above the £3,000 annual allowance. For CGT-free gold at this weight, the 1/10 oz Britannia is the standard choice.
• USA: IRA eligibility is not guaranteed for RAM Lunar coins. Most IRA custodian approved lists focus on American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and Perth Mint products. The RAM Lunar series is relatively new and may not yet appear on all custodian lists, despite meeting the 99.5% purity threshold. Confirm with your custodian before purchasing for IRA purposes.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt (gold exceeding 99.5% purity).
• EU: VAT-exempt as investment gold under the Investment Gold Directive (legal tender, post-1800, purity above 900 fine).
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme for qualifying gold.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax or import duty.
• South Africa: Investment gold is VAT-exempt.

RAM Lunar vs Perth Lunar and Other 1/10 oz Lunar Coins

The 1/10 oz lunar gold coin market features multiple entrants from different mints, each offering a distinct interpretation of the Chinese zodiac theme.

The 1/10 oz Perth Lunar is the dominant product in this space. Perth Mint's Lunar programme spans three generations (Series I: 1996 to 2007, Series II: 2008 to 2019, Series III: 2020 to 2031), with an established collector base that provides deep secondary market liquidity. Perth Mint offers a broader size range (1/20 oz to 10 oz in gold) and does not cap mintages as tightly as RAM. Perth Lunar silver uses 999.9 purity, marginally higher than RAM's 999 fine silver, though both mints use 999.9 for gold. For buyers who want the most liquid and widely recognised lunar gold coin, Perth remains the default.

The 1/10 oz RCM Lunar takes a more collector-oriented approach with very limited mintages (as low as 1,888 for gold). These are semi-numismatic products that command premiums well above gold value. RAM Lunar coins sit between Perth's high-volume approach and RCM's ultra-limited model.

The 1/10 oz PAMP Lunar provides a Swiss refinery alternative. PAMP Lunar products lack legal tender status but offer Veriscan authentication technology and LBMA pedigree. PAMP's Lunar bars (especially the 5g and 1 oz sizes) are more widely traded than their coin format.

RAM Lunar's competitive advantage is the combination of limited mintage and lower premiums. Perth Mint's established market presence means Perth Lunar coins command higher premiums; RAM's newer programme has not yet built the same collector infrastructure, and this is reflected in more accessible pricing. For buyers who want Australian legal tender lunar gold at a lower entry cost than Perth, RAM represents a practical alternative. The trade-off is reduced secondary market recognition and narrower dealer availability outside Australia.