2 oz Chinese Lunar Gold Coin

The 2 oz Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar Gold Coin

This product group covers 2 oz gold coins in the Chinese Lunar series produced by Emirates Gold, a Dubai-based precious metals manufacturer. The coins are struck at .9999 fine gold (24 carat) and feature designs tied to the Chinese zodiac cycle, with each year's issue depicting the corresponding zodiac animal. At 62.21 grams of pure gold, the 2 oz denomination provides a substantial gold holding in a single coin.

Emirates Gold is a private mint based in the United Arab Emirates, distinct from the government-operated China Gold Coin Corporation (CHNGC) that produces the official People's Republic of China lunar zodiac coins. The Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar series targets the strong demand for zodiac-themed gold products in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets, where the Chinese zodiac carries cultural significance and gold collecting around lunar new year is a well-established tradition.

The .9999 purity distinguishes these coins from the official Chinese lunar coins produced by CHNGC, which are typically struck at .999 fine (three nines). The higher purity aligns Emirates Gold's product with the standards set by other major bullion producers like the Perth Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, and Austrian Mint, all of which strike their gold bullion at .9999 or higher.

2 oz Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar Specifications

The Chinese zodiac cycle runs through 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year's coin features the corresponding animal. Dragon year issues typically command the highest premiums across all lunar coin programmes, reflecting the dragon's cultural significance as a symbol of power, strength, and good fortune in Chinese tradition.

Emirates Gold produces precious metals in various forms including bars, coins, and custom-minted products. As a private mint rather than a sovereign government mint, Emirates Gold coins do not carry legal tender status or a face value denomination. This affects their tax classification in some jurisdictions (discussed in the Tax tab) and means authentication relies on the manufacturer's assay certification and brand reputation rather than sovereign mint guarantees.

Tax Treatment of Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar Coins

The tax treatment of Emirates Gold coins depends on how each jurisdiction classifies private mint gold products. The .9999 purity meets or exceeds all investment gold purity thresholds, but the absence of legal tender status may affect classification in some markets.

• UAE: No VAT on investment gold bullion (0% rate). No capital gains tax. No import duty. The UAE is one of the most tax-friendly jurisdictions globally for gold, and as a domestic product, Emirates Gold coins benefit fully from this regime.
• UK: Should qualify for VAT exemption as investment gold, provided the product meets HMRC's definition of gold bars or wafers at .995+ fineness from an LBMA-accredited or recognised manufacturer. Not CGT-exempt (not UK legal tender). Capital gains taxed at the individual's rate.
• US: No federal sales tax. State sales tax varies. IRA eligibility may be uncertain: the IRS requires gold IRA holdings to be produced by an accredited refiner or manufacturer meeting certain standards. Private mint products without sovereign government backing may face additional scrutiny from custodians. Confirm with your IRA custodian before purchasing for retirement account purposes.
• EU: Gold bars and wafers at .995+ fineness qualify for VAT exemption. Coins without legal tender status from a recognised sovereign mint may be classified as bars for VAT purposes, which still qualifies for exemption at this purity.
• Singapore: Gold at .995+ purity qualifies for GST exemption under the IPM scheme. No capital gains tax.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax on gold regardless of manufacturer.
• Australia: GST-free for investment-grade gold at 99.5%+ purity in forms commonly traded on commodity markets. Private mint coins should qualify provided they meet the purity and form requirements.

Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar vs Other Lunar Gold Coins

Several sovereign and private mints produce lunar zodiac gold coins, and the choice between them depends on priorities around purity, legal tender status, mintage limits, and regional availability.

The Perth Mint's Gold Lunar series (currently in Series III, which began in 2020) is the most widely traded lunar gold programme outside China. Perth Mint coins are .9999 fine, carry Australian legal tender status, and are available in sizes from 1/20 oz to 1 kg. The annual design changes and moderate mintages give Perth Mint lunars both bullion and collector appeal. For buyers seeking a 2 oz lunar gold coin with sovereign mint backing and broad international liquidity, the Perth Mint Lunar is the primary alternative.

The official Chinese lunar coins from the People's Republic of China (produced by CHNGC) are the original and longest-running lunar programme, dating to 1981. They are struck at .999 fine gold (three nines, lower than Emirates Gold's .9999) and feature strictly limited mintages that give them strong collector premiums. Chinese lunars are available in sizes from 1/20 oz to 1 kg and in unique formats including scallop-shaped and fan-shaped coins. They are not IRA-eligible in the US.

The Royal Mint's Shengxiao lunar collection, launched in 2014, features the zodiac animals on UK legal tender coins. For UK buyers, this provides CGT exemption that neither Emirates Gold nor Perth Mint products offer. The Royal Mint lunar range is primarily available in 1 oz format and is oriented toward the UK domestic market.

Emirates Gold's offering competes primarily on the strength of the UAE market, where it is a domestic product with local dealer availability and no tax complications. For international buyers, the Perth Mint Lunar series typically offers better liquidity and broader recognition, while the official Chinese lunars offer the deepest collector market and most varied formats.