1 oz Chinese Myths and Legends Gold Coin

Perth Mint Gold with Asian Mythology and Limited Mintage

The 1 oz Chinese Myths and Legends gold coin from the Perth Mint brings annual releases featuring mythological creatures and cultural symbols from Chinese tradition, struck in .9999 fine gold as Australian legal tender. Running since 2017, the series has produced nine designs including Dragon and Phoenix, Double Pixiu, Dragon and Koi, the Four Guardians, and Double Phoenix. Each coin carries a $100 AUD face value and is struck under the Australian Currency Act 1965.

The series distinguishes itself from standard bullion in two ways. First, each year brings a new reverse design by a rotating cast of Perth Mint engravers, giving every release a fresh artistic interpretation rather than a house-style uniformity. Second, gold mintages are limited to 5,000 pieces per year, substantially below the production volumes of the 1 oz Australian Kangaroo or 1 oz Canadian Maple Leaf. This positions the Chinese Myths and Legends between commodity bullion and collector territory.

The target market skews toward Asian buyers. LPM, a Hong Kong-based dealer, holds the exclusive worldwide distribution agreement for the series, with Perth Mint direct sales limited to Australia. Hong Kong's zero-tax environment (no sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax) and Singapore's Investment Precious Metals GST exemption make these key markets. The mythological themes, from the yin-yang symbolism of the Dragon and Phoenix to the wealth-attracting Pixiu and the cardinal-direction Four Guardians, carry deep cultural resonance in Chinese-heritage communities.

For buyers comparing against the Perth Mint's own Gold Lunar series, the Myths and Legends differentiates through mythology rather than zodiac animals, and through consistently lower mintages. The trade-off is narrower liquidity: a standard Kangaroo or Lunar coin will find more immediate buyers on the secondary market than a Myths and Legends release.

Chinese Myths and Legends Gold Coin Technical Details

Design Releases by Year

The obverse has evolved over the series' run: early issues carried Ian Rank-Broadley's Elizabeth II portrait, then Jody Clark's version, and current issues bear the Dan Thorne effigy of King Charles III. The reverse diameter changed from 40.6 mm to 40.9 mm for the silver version after 2019, a minor specification shift that may affect capsule compatibility for collectors spanning both periods. The gold specifications have remained consistent.

Silver mintages have declined from 50,000 for the earliest releases down to 20,000 for the 2025/26 Double Phoenix, potentially increasing secondary market premiums for later issues. A 10 oz silver edition is also produced with a mintage limited to 888 pieces, a deliberate nod to Chinese numerology where 8 is the luckiest number, associated with prosperity and wealth. From 2021 onward, the series expanded beyond standard BU into coloured silver versions, antiqued finishes, and high-relief proof variants with concave mirrored backgrounds.

Tax Treatment of the Chinese Myths and Legends Gold Coin

As Australian legal tender struck in .9999 fine gold, the Chinese Myths and Legends qualifies as investment gold in all major bullion markets:

• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade precious metal from the Perth Mint. Capital gains tax applies on disposal, with a 50% CGT discount for assets held longer than 12 months.
• United States: IRA-eligible due to .9999 purity and sovereign mint/legal tender status. No federal sales tax; state-level exemptions apply in most states. Capital gains taxed at the collectibles rate (28% maximum for long-term holdings).
• United Kingdom: VAT-exempt as investment gold (.9999 purity exceeds the 995 threshold). Not CGT-exempt as it is not UK legal tender. UK buyers seeking CGT exemption should consider the 1 oz Britannia instead.
• EU: VAT-exempt as investment gold under Directive 98/80/EC.
• Singapore: GST-exempt as an Investment Precious Metal. Singapore is one of the series' primary target markets through the LPM distribution network.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax. Hong Kong is the series' primary distribution hub.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt as investment gold at .9999 purity.
• New Zealand: GST-exempt as fine gold above the .9950 purity threshold.
• South Africa: No specific local advantage. Only gold Krugerrands are locally zero-rated.

Chinese Myths and Legends vs Kangaroo, Lunar, and Chinese Panda

Within the Perth Mint's own range, the most relevant comparison is the 1 oz Australian Kangaroo. Both are .9999 fine Australian legal tender from the same mint. The Kangaroo has annual reverse design changes, far higher annual production, and lower premiums. The Chinese Myths and Legends offers limited 5,000-piece gold mintages and culturally specific designs targeting the Asian collector market. For pure bullion value at the lowest premium, the Kangaroo wins. For buyers drawn to the mythology and willing to accept higher premiums for scarcity, the Myths and Legends is the more distinctive product.

The Perth Mint's Gold Lunar series is the mint's most established Chinese-themed programme, following the 12-year zodiac cycle. The Lunar series has a longer track record and stronger secondary market recognition. The Myths and Legends differentiates by drawing from mythology rather than the zodiac, featuring creatures like the Pixiu (mythical wealth-attracting lions) and the Four Guardians (Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise), which have no zodiac equivalents.

The Chinese Gold Panda from China Mint is the premier Chinese-themed gold coin globally, with massive collector following and government backing from the People's Republic. The Panda is struck at .999 fineness (three nines), lower than the Myths and Legends' .9999. Perth Mint's product offers the advantage of Australian legal tender and .9999 purity, along with availability through established Western dealer networks. The Panda's strength is its cultural authenticity and established collector market in China.

The Dragon and Koi design references one of China's most enduring legends: the "Dragon Gate" tale, where a koi that successfully swims up the waterfall at Dragon Gate transforms into a dragon. The Four Guardians design references the four mythical creatures that guard the cardinal directions, each associated with a season and a Chinese element. These cultural layers give the series depth beyond visual aesthetics, a quality that resonates with buyers who value the stories behind their bullion.