1 oz Gods of Olympus Gold Coin

Perth Mint's Greek Mythology Gold Series

The 1 oz Perth Mint Gods of Olympus Gold Coin is a .9999 fine gold bullion coin issued as legal tender of Tuvalu and produced by the Perth Mint (Government of Western Australia). Each annual release features a different deity from the Greek Olympian pantheon, rendered in the detailed style that the Perth Mint is known for. The gold version carries a face value of $100 TVD (Tuvalu dollars, pegged 1:1 to the Australian dollar) and has a mintage of just 100 pieces per year.

The series originated in 2014 as a high-premium antiqued numismatic collection, with 2 oz rimless silver coins at very limited mintages. It was relaunched in 2020 as a broader bullion programme with BU (Brilliant Uncirculated), antiqued, and gold variants. This bullion relaunch is an exclusive distribution partnership between LPM (Lee Precious Metals) and the Perth Mint, with strong distribution through Asian collector markets alongside US dealers.

The 100-piece gold mintage makes this one of the rarest regular Perth Mint issues. Standard Perth Mint gold coins such as the 1 oz Gold Kangaroo are struck in the tens of thousands. Gods released so far in the bullion series include Zeus (2020), Poseidon and Hades (2021), Hera (2022), and Ares, Apollo, and Artemis (2023), with the series continuing to expand through the twelve major Olympians.

Gods of Olympus 1 oz Gold Coin Specifications

The .9999 purity (four nines fine) matches the standard used by the Perth Mint for its Kangaroo series and by the Royal Canadian Mint for the Maple Leaf. Each reverse features a dramatic mythological scene specific to the featured deity, with the Perth Mint "P" mint mark. The obverse initially carried the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with reign dates "1952-2022" and has been transitioning to the King Charles III effigy for newer issues.

The series also includes 1 oz silver BU (13,500 mintage), 1 oz silver antiqued (1,500 mintage), 5 oz silver BU (450 mintage), and 5 oz silver antiqued (50 mintage) variants, all at .9999 fine silver.

Tax and Legal Status of the Gods of Olympus Gold Coin

As a Tuvalu legal tender gold coin of .9999 fineness produced by a government mint, the Gods of Olympus qualifies as investment gold in most markets.

• United Kingdom: VAT-free as investment gold (qualifying coin of 995+ fineness). Not UK legal tender, so gains are subject to CGT. No exemption comparable to the Britannia or Sovereign.
• United States: The .9999 gold purity exceeds the IRA threshold of 99.5%, and the coin's status as sovereign legal tender makes it IRA-eligible. Sales tax varies by state, with approximately 35 states exempting bullion.
• Australia: As a coin struck by the Perth Mint, this may qualify for GST exemption under Australia's investment-grade precious metals rules (gold of 99.5%+ purity). Classification may depend on whether it is treated as numismatic.
• Canada: GST/HST-exempt as a sovereign gold coin of 99.5%+ purity.
• European Union: VAT-exempt under the EU Investment Gold Directive.
• Singapore and Hong Kong: The strong LPM distribution means availability in both markets. Singapore exempts investment precious metals from GST; Hong Kong has no sales tax.

Tuvalu is a South Pacific island nation within the British Commonwealth, with a population of approximately 11,000. The Tuvalu dollar is pegged 1:1 to the Australian dollar. Like many Pacific Island coinages, these are legal tender in theory but do not circulate.

From Numismatic Origins to Bullion Programme

The Gods of Olympus series has a two-phase history that is unusual among bullion programmes. The Perth Mint originally released the concept in 2014 as rimless 2 oz antiqued silver coins with very limited mintages around 1,500 pieces. That original series was the Perth Mint's first-ever antiqued coin release, making it historically significant for the mint. A complete set of twelve 2 oz antiqued coins was produced in 2016-2017, covering all twelve major Olympians: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Hestia. A 5 oz Mount Olympus centrepiece coin accompanied the set.

The bullion relaunch in 2020 adapted the original designs for multiple formats and price points. The initial bullion release featured Zeus, with subsequent years adding Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Ares, Apollo, and Artemis. The seventh bullion release (Ares, 2023) was notable because industry expectations were that the series would pivot to Norse mythology. Instead, it continued with Greek gods not featured in the original 2014 trilogy, suggesting the bullion series may eventually cover all twelve Olympians.

Each reverse depicts the featured deity in a dramatic classical pose. Ares appears in Corinthian helmet and armour amid battle. Apollo stands with his lyre alongside Daphne transforming into a laurel tree. Poseidon wields his trident amid crashing waves. The level of sculptural detail is distinctly Perth Mint, with the kind of high-relief rendering that has earned the mint a reputation among collectors worldwide.

Gods of Olympus Gold vs Other Perth Mint and Mythology Coins

The Gods of Olympus gold coin occupies a very specific niche: Perth Mint quality, mythological themes, and extreme scarcity. Comparisons depend on what the buyer prioritises.

For buyers who want Perth Mint gold as a liquid investment, the 1 oz Gold Kangaroo is the straightforward choice. Mintages exceed 100,000, spreads are tight, and the secondary market is deep globally. The Gods of Olympus gold coin, at 100 pieces, is essentially a collector item that happens to contain an ounce of gold.

Among mythology-themed coins, the Royal Mint's Myths and Legends series (Robin Hood, Merlin, Morgan le Fay) offers UK legal tender status with CGT exemption for British buyers, a significant advantage the Tuvalu-issued Gods of Olympus lacks. The Austrian Mint has produced Archangel-themed coins with Euro denominations aimed at EU collectors. Various Niue and New Zealand Mint issues cover mythology under Niue legal tender, though generally with lower production quality than Perth Mint products.

The .9999 purity is worth noting. Most silver bullion coins use .999 (three nines), but the Gods of Olympus uses four nines fine for both gold and silver, matching the Canadian Maple Leaf standard. This is relevant for IRA eligibility in the US (gold threshold is 99.5%) and for investors who prefer the highest available purity.

At 100 pieces per year, the Gods of Olympus gold coin is best understood as a limited collector product with bullion backing, not a stacking coin. Buyers seeking gold exposure at competitive premiums should look to mainstream sovereign mint issues. Buyers who value Perth Mint artistry, Greek mythology, and genuine scarcity will find this series distinctive.