5g PAMP Suisse Lunar Gold Coin

PAMP Suisse Lunar Legend: 5g Gold with Mythology

The 5g PAMP Suisse Lunar gold coin belongs to the Lunar Legend series, launched in 2024 as a creative successor to PAMP's original Lunar Calendar series (2012-2023). Where the earlier cycle simply depicted each Chinese zodiac animal, the Legend series illustrates the mythology and folklore behind it. The first release, the Azure Dragon (2024), draws from the Chinese celestial guardian tradition rather than offering a straightforward animal portrait.

PAMP Suisse, an LBMA-accredited Swiss refinery founded in 1977, produces these as minted bars sealed in their distinctive red CertiPAMP tamper-evident assay cards. Each piece is individually serialised and, from 2017 onward, incorporates Veriscan anti-counterfeiting technology. Veriscan maps the microscopic surface topography of the bar and stores it in PAMP's database, allowing verification through an iOS app without breaking the seal. This system received LBMA Security Feature accreditation, the global industry benchmark.

The 5g weight occupies a specific niche in the PAMP Lunar range. At roughly $500-$550 in gold value, it sits at the same price point as a 1/10 oz sovereign coin but in bar form. The 5g Lunar is particularly popular as a Chinese New Year gift, combining cultural significance (the zodiac theme and the Lunar name) with a practical gold holding. PAMP sells a complete 12-bar boxed set of the original Calendar series in 5g, and these sets command premiums well above the sum of individual bars.

For buyers focused purely on gold accumulation per pound spent, a 1oz PAMP Suisse gold bar offers lower premiums per gram. The 5g Lunar appeals instead to those who value the combination of Swiss refinery provenance, collectible annual designs, and a culturally meaningful gifting format.

5g PAMP Lunar Gold Specifications

Lunar Legend Series Releases

The Legend series is expected to run through 2035, completing a full 12-year zodiac cycle. Unlike the Calendar series which used front and back views of animals or adult-and-young pairings, the Legend series employs elaborate narrative-driven artwork drawing from Chinese mythology and folklore.

The 5g format is the most popular collector size in the PAMP Lunar range. PAMP sells a complete 12-bar boxed set of the original Calendar series (2012-2023) in 5g gold, which commands premiums well above the sum of individual bars. The Legend series is expected to follow this pattern as it progresses through the zodiac cycle. Each bar is minted (stamped, not cast), producing the sharp detail and mirror-like finish that PAMP is known for.

Tax Treatment of PAMP Lunar Gold Bars

As a refined gold bar at 999.9 fineness, the 5g PAMP Lunar qualifies as investment gold in most major markets. It carries no legal tender status in any jurisdiction, which has implications for capital gains treatment.

• United Kingdom: VAT-exempt under the Investment Gold Exemption (bars at 995+ fineness qualify). Subject to Capital Gains Tax at the holder's marginal rate (18% basic, 24% higher), with the annual CGT-free allowance applying. Unlike 1/10oz Gold Britannias or Gold Sovereigns, PAMP bars are not UK legal tender and receive no CGT exemption.
• European Union: VAT-exempt as investment gold under EU Directive 98/80/EC (gold bars at 995+ fineness). Capital gains rules vary by country; Germany exempts gains on gold held longer than one year.
• United States: No federal sales tax. State sales tax varies; approximately 35 states exempt bullion purchases. Classified as a collectible by the IRS, with long-term gains taxed at a maximum 28% rate. IRA-eligible at 999.9 purity (exceeds the 99.5% threshold under Section 408(m)).
• Canada: GST/HST-exempt at 99.5%+ purity. RRSP and TFSA eligible through approved custodians.
• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold (99.5%+ purity). Subject to CGT with a 50% discount for holdings over 12 months.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals (IPM) scheme (gold at 99.5%+). No capital gains tax.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.

5g PAMP Lunar vs Comparable Gold Products

The 5g PAMP Lunar occupies a specific position: themed collectible bar at an accessible price point. How it compares depends on whether the buyer prioritises low premiums, tax efficiency, liquidity, or collectible appeal.

vs 5g PAMP Fortuna (non-themed)

PAMP's Fortuna bar is the same weight, purity, and packaging but with the standard Lady Fortuna design rather than a rotating zodiac motif. The Fortuna typically carries a lower premium because it lacks the annual-change collectibility that drives secondary market interest. For buyers who want PAMP quality at 5g but do not care about the Lunar theme, the Fortuna is the more cost-efficient choice.

vs Perth Mint Lunar Coins

The Perth Mint Lunar series produces legal tender coins (Australian dollars) rather than bars. In jurisdictions where coin status matters for tax treatment, Perth Lunar coins may have an advantage. Perth's series has run since 1996 across three generations, giving it a longer track record. However, PAMP's 5g bar is substantially cheaper than the smallest Perth Lunar gold coin (typically 1/10 oz or 1/4 oz), making it more accessible for small purchases or gifts.

vs Royal Mint Lunar Coins

The Royal Mint's Lunar range consists of UK legal tender coins in 999.9 gold. For UK buyers, these offer both VAT exemption and CGT exemption, a significant tax advantage over the PAMP bar. The smallest Royal Mint Lunar coin is 1/10 oz, priced similarly to the 5g PAMP but with the legal tender benefit.

vs Argor-Heraeus Lunar Bars

Argor-Heraeus, another Swiss LBMA-accredited refinery, produces its own lunar-themed bars. Both brands offer comparable purity and weight options. PAMP's Veriscan authentication technology and the more widely recognised red CertiPAMP packaging give it an edge in secondary market confidence, particularly for buyers concerned about counterfeits.