1/10 oz Royal Canadian Mint Lunar Gold Coin

Limited-Mintage Canadian Zodiac Gold for Collectors

The 1/10 oz RCM Lunar gold coin is part of the Royal Canadian Mint's zodiac programme, which has produced Chinese New Year themed coins since 1998 across multiple distinct series. The current active programme features 999.9 fine gold in limited mintages, carrying Canadian dollar face values and legal tender status. The RCM's approach to lunar coinage differs significantly from the high-volume bullion model used by the Perth Mint. Where Perth produces Lunar coins in open-ended quantities for the mass bullion market, the RCM issues lunar gold in tightly controlled runs that lean toward the collector and semi-numismatic end of the spectrum.

The RCM has run several lunar coin programmes over the decades, each with different specifications. The original $15 sterling silver series (1998 to 2009) completed a full twelve-year zodiac cycle with gold-plated cameo designs. The $150 series used 18-karat gold (750 fine), too low in purity for most investment and retirement account purposes. The current $100 pure gold programme (2022 onwards) uses 999.9 fine gold in half-ounce format, and fractional sizes including the 1/10 oz extend the range downward.

Mintages are characteristically low. The 2025 Year of the Snake $100 gold coin was limited to 1,888 pieces, with the number 8 considered auspicious in Chinese culture. The 2024 Year of the Dragon saw a 6 oz gold coin limited to just 108 pieces worldwide, among the most exclusive modern gold coins from any sovereign mint. These production numbers position RCM Lunar coins as collector items with bullion-grade purity rather than mass-market investment coins.

RCM Lunar 1/10 oz Gold Coin Technical Details

RCM Lunar Programme History

The RCM's standard security features include the micro-laser engraved maple leaf privy mark on newer issues. Earlier sterling silver versions featured holographic elements, and the lotus-shaped coins had distinctive scalloped edges that made them immediately recognisable. The transition from 18-karat to 999.9 fine gold in the current programme reflects the broader market preference for higher purity in gold investment products. The 18-karat coins, composed of 75% gold and 25% silver, fall below the 99.5% purity threshold required for IRA eligibility and many jurisdictional tax exemptions, which limited their appeal as investment vehicles despite their collectible value.

RCM Lunar Gold Tax Treatment

The 999.9 fine gold versions of RCM Lunar coins qualify for favourable tax treatment in most bullion markets. However, the older 18-karat (750 fine) programme does not meet many purity-based exemptions.

• Canada: GST/HST exempt for gold refined to 99.5% or higher. The current 999.9 programme qualifies; the 18kt programme does not.
• USA: The 999.9 gold versions are IRA-eligible under Section 408(m), which requires gold of 99.5% or higher purity. The 18kt ($150) versions are not IRA-eligible. State sales tax varies; approximately 35 states exempt precious metals.
• UK: VAT-free as investment gold (999.9 fineness exceeds the 995 threshold). Not CGT-exempt, as RCM coins are not UK legal tender. Capital gains tax applies at the individual's rate.
• EU: 999.9 fine gold coins meeting EU investment gold criteria (legal tender, post-1800, purity above 900 fine) qualify for VAT exemption under the Investment Gold Directive.
• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold (purity exceeds 99.5%).
• Singapore: Qualifying gold coins are GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax or import duty on gold.

Buyers considering the 18-karat gold versions should note that the 750 fineness falls below the 99.5% threshold used by many jurisdictions for investment gold exemptions. This means potential VAT or GST charges in some markets, and ineligibility for tax-advantaged retirement accounts. The purity distinction between the two programmes is the most important specification for buyers to verify before purchase.

RCM Lunar vs Perth Lunar and Other Zodiac Gold at 1/10 oz

The 1/10 oz RCM Lunar occupies a collector niche within the lunar gold coin market, and understanding its position relative to alternatives helps clarify who it best serves.

The 1/10 oz Perth Lunar is the benchmark lunar gold coin. Perth Mint's programme has run continuously since 1996, with three generations of designs, a wide size range (1/20 oz to 10 oz in gold), and open-ended production that creates deep secondary market liquidity. Perth Lunar coins trade at standard bullion premiums and are available from virtually every bullion dealer globally. The RCM Lunar, by contrast, is produced in very limited quantities (under 2,000 pieces for some gold issues) and commands premiums that reflect its scarcity and collector orientation. For gold accumulation, Perth is the practical choice; for collecting exclusive low-mintage zodiac gold, RCM offers something Perth does not.

The 1/10 oz RAM Lunar sits between these two extremes. RAM's programme (launched 2020) limits gold mintages to around 5,000 per year for the 1 oz size, more restricted than Perth but far less exclusive than RCM's sub-2,000 production. RAM Lunar coins trade at lower premiums than both Perth and RCM Lunar coins, reflecting the programme's newer status and less established collector market.

The 1/10 oz Maple Leaf from the same mint provides a non-thematic alternative. The Maple Leaf is produced in far higher volumes, with lower premiums and deeper liquidity. Buyers who want RCM gold for investment rather than collection will pay less per gram with the Maple Leaf. The Lunar coin's value proposition is the limited edition design and zodiac theme, not cost efficiency.

The RCM Lunar programme has been producing zodiac coins since 1998, making it one of the longest-running lunar programmes alongside Perth. The earlier sterling silver and 18-karat gold series have their own collector markets. For buyers interested in building a complete zodiac set across multiple programmes and metals, the RCM offers depth of history that newer entrants cannot match.