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About the 1 oz Lady Justice Gold Coin
Scottsdale Mint's Gibraltar Gold Coin
The 1 oz Lady Justice gold coin is an annual legal tender issue from the Government of Gibraltar, struck by Scottsdale Mint in Arizona. Launched in 2021, the series features a classically posed Lady Justice, blindfolded and holding sword and scales, with the Latin motto "Fides et Justitia" (Faith and Justice). The gold version is produced as a proof coin in .9999 fine gold with a mintage limited to 2,000 pieces per year.
Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, has issued its own coinage since 1988. The Lady Justice coins carry a Pound Sterling denomination (10 GBP for the gold 1 oz) and display the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom on the reverse, linking the territory to the British Crown. Scottsdale Mint has built a reputation for striking coins on behalf of small territories and nations, including Fiji, Congo, Cayman Islands, and Barbados, and the Lady Justice series has become their flagship Gibraltar programme.
The gold coin's annual mintage of 2,000 pieces places it firmly in limited-edition territory. This is significantly tighter than mass-market bullion coins like the 1oz Gold Britannia or 1oz Gold Maple Leaf, which have no mintage caps. The limited supply creates collector interest and the potential for secondary market premiums as earlier years sell out.
The design evolves annually, keeping the Lady Justice theme but varying the composition. The 2023 release brought Lady Justice into the foreground with a more commanding, front-facing stance. For buyers seeking a proof-finish 24-carat gold coin with genuine legal tender status and limited production, the Lady Justice fills a niche between mass-produced bullion and pure numismatic collectibles.
Lady Justice Gold Coin Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1 troy ounce (31.1035 g) |
| Purity | .9999 fine gold (24 carat) |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Face Value | 10 GBP (Gibraltar) |
| Legal Tender | Gibraltar |
| Annual Mintage | 2,000 |
| Finish | Proof (frosted design against mirrored fields) |
| Manufacturer | Scottsdale Mint (Arizona, USA) |
| Issuing Authority | Government of Gibraltar |
The Lady Justice Range
The series is produced in both gold and silver. The silver version weighs 1 troy ounce at .999 fine silver with a 39 mm diameter, a face value of 1 GBP, and an annual mintage of 100,000 pieces. Silver editions are available in Brilliant Uncirculated finish, with antique finish variants introduced from 2022 onward. The antique finish uses a chemical treatment to simulate age, creating dramatic contrast in the design details. A smaller 1/10 oz silver coin has been available in select years.
Proof gold coins are individually sealed in capsules attached to chipboard for secure delivery. The proof finish, with frosted design elements set against mirror-polished fields, serves as a visual authentication indicator alongside the coin's precise weight and dimensions.
Lady Justice Tax Treatment by Country
United Kingdom
The gold Lady Justice is VAT-free as investment gold meeting the .995+ purity threshold. It is not CGT-exempt in the UK. Only UK Royal Mint legal tender coins (Britannia, Sovereign, Tudor Beasts, Myths and Legends, and related series) qualify for Capital Gains Tax exemption. Gibraltar coins, despite carrying a Pound denomination and being issued by a British Overseas Territory, do not receive this treatment. Gains on disposal are subject to CGT at the individual's rate (18% basic, 24% higher), with the 3,000 GBP annual allowance applying.
This is a meaningful distinction for UK buyers. A 1oz Gold Britannia offers the same weight and purity with CGT exemption, making it more tax-efficient for long-term holding. The Lady Justice appeals to buyers who prioritise limited mintage and design distinction over tax optimisation.
United States
No federal sales tax applies. The gold coin's .9999 purity exceeds the IRS 99.5% minimum for gold IRA eligibility. State-level sales tax exemptions vary, with over 35 states exempting precious metals. Long-term capital gains are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28%.
European Union
The gold coin qualifies as investment gold under Directive 98/80/EC and is VAT-exempt across EU member states. Gibraltar's status as a British Overseas Territory outside the EU (post-Brexit) does not affect the coin's qualification under the directive, which is based on purity and legal tender status rather than issuer geography.
Canada
GST/HST exempt as a gold coin meeting the 99.5%+ purity threshold.
Australia
GST-free as investment-grade gold at 99.5%+ purity. Capital gains tax applies, with the 50% discount for assets held over 12 months.
Lady Justice vs Britannia, Eagle, and Other Limited-Mintage Coins
The Lady Justice gold coin occupies a market position between mass-produced bullion and limited-edition numismatics. Its 2,000-piece annual gold mintage is far tighter than the 1oz Gold Britannia (unlimited) or the 1oz Gold Maple Leaf (unlimited). Both those coins offer better liquidity, lower premiums, and wider dealer buy-back networks. The Britannia adds UK CGT exemption and advanced anti-counterfeiting features. For pure investment efficiency, the established sovereign coins are superior.
The Lady Justice's nearest competitors are other limited-mintage gold coins from private mints striking for small territories. The 1oz Germania Mint Golden Eagle operates a similar model, with a private mint producing legal tender coins for Malta. Both target collectors who want sovereign-backed gold with distinctive designs and constrained supply. The Lady Justice has lower gold mintage (2,000 vs varying Germania Mint figures) and a longer track record (2021 vs 2023 launch).
The proof finish distinguishes the Lady Justice from most bullion coins, which use Brilliant Uncirculated or reverse proof finishes. Proof coins with frosted relief against mirror fields have a more refined appearance, but the finish makes handling marks more visible and can affect resale value if the coin is not kept in its original capsule. Standard bullion coins are more forgiving for handling.
For US buyers, the Lady Justice competes against the 1oz Gold Buffalo, another .9999 gold coin. The Buffalo has deeper US liquidity, established IRA eligibility, and the backing of the United States Mint. The Lady Justice's selling points are its limited mintage and annually evolving design, features that appeal more to collector-investors than pure stackers.
1 oz Lady Justice Gold Coin: frequently asked questions
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The cheapest listing we track is $4,326.52 from IDC Coin and Bullion, sitting around 3.3% over the $4,189.10 gold spot price. As a 1 troy oz coin, its value moves directly with the gold price.
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The Lady Justice is an annual 1 troy oz, 999.9 fine gold coin struck by Scottsdale Mint (Arizona) for the Government of Gibraltar. It is distinct from the PAMP Lady of Justice gold bar, which is a separate product from a different manufacturer. The gold proof version carries a face value of GBP 10 (Gibraltar) and has a mintage of 2,000 pieces per year.
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Yes. The 1oz gold Lady Justice coin is struck in 999.9 fine gold, which is effectively 24 carat. This is the highest commercial purity for gold bullion coins and exceeds the 22 carat (916.7 fineness) used in coins such as the Sovereign or Krugerrand.
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Lady Justice (Justitia in Roman tradition) is the personification of justice, depicted holding scales (weighing evidence impartially), a sword (the power to enforce judgment), and traditionally wearing a blindfold (impartiality). The coin's obverse also carries the Latin motto "Fides et Justitia" (Faith and Justice). The design evolves each year while keeping this central theme.
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The Lady Justice coin is Gibraltar legal tender struck by Scottsdale Mint, not a Royal Mint UK coin, so it does not qualify for the CGT exemption that applies to UK coins such as Britannias and Sovereigns. UK investors pay CGT at 18% or 24% on gains above the £3,000 annual allowance. US investors face up to 28% on long-term gains; in Canada, 50% of any gain is included as taxable income.