1 listing
Filters
APMEX
Prices are fetched automatically and may not reflect current merchant prices. Currency conversions and tax treatment are approximate. Rankings are based solely on price. We are not a dealer and accept no responsibility for transactions with listed merchants. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This site does not provide investment advice. Full disclaimer
About the 1 oz Dragon Rectangular Platinum Coin
Perth Mint's Rectangular Platinum Dragon
The 1 oz Dragon Rectangular Platinum Coin from the Perth Mint is one of the most distinctive platinum products on the market. Its rectangular format, measuring 47.6 mm by 27.6 mm (roughly credit-card proportions), sets it apart from every other sovereign platinum coin. Despite the unconventional shape, this is legally classified as an Australian coin with a face value and legal tender status, not a bar. It combines the government guarantee and sovereign backing of a coin with the visual aesthetic and stackability of a bar.
First issued in 2018 in silver and gold, the series features a new dragon design on the reverse each year, drawing from both Eastern and Western dragon mythology. The Eastern dragon associations with power, prosperity, and good fortune give the series particular appeal in Asian markets, where the dragon is an auspicious symbol. The proof platinum version has an extremely limited mintage (3,888 pieces for silver proofs; platinum is even more restricted), with the number 888 deliberately chosen for its lucky significance in Chinese culture.
The 2024 edition introduced the King Charles III portrait by Dan Thorne on the obverse, replacing the Jody Clark Queen Elizabeth II effigy used from 2018 to 2023. The reverse for 2024 depicted an Oriental dragon eyeing a flaming pearl above water and clouds. Each year's design is entirely new, making the series collectible as an ongoing set.
For platinum buyers, this coin offers something no other product can: a government-issued, legal tender rectangular platinum piece with annually changing artwork and advanced security features including micro-laser engraved letters. The rectangular format stacks efficiently in storage. Against conventional round coins like the 1 oz American Platinum Eagle, the Dragon Rectangular trades at higher premiums but offers design variety and potential numismatic appreciation that fixed-design bullion lacks.
Dragon Rectangular Platinum Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 31.107 g (1 troy ounce minimum gross) |
| Purity | .9995 fine platinum |
| Dimensions | 47.60 mm (length) x 27.60 mm (width) x 3.57 mm (max thickness) |
| Face Value | AUD $100 |
| Edge | Plain (rectangular format) |
| Mintmark | "P" (Perth Mint) |
| Security | Micro-laser engraved letters (detectable under magnification) |
| Issuing Authority | Government of Western Australia |
| First Year | 2018 (series); platinum version availability varies |
The rectangular shape is extremely rare for legal tender coins globally. Most rectangular bullion products are bars without face values or legal tender status. The Dragon Rectangular's classification as a coin gives it advantages in jurisdictions where coin status affects tax treatment or IRA eligibility.
Security features include multiple micro-laser engraved letters only visible under magnification, the Perth Mint's "P" mintmark, and the LBMA-accredited swan logo. These are more advanced than many competing platinum coins, which rely primarily on weight, dimensions, and design detail for authentication.
Rectangular Dragon Platinum Tax Treatment
As Australian legal tender with .9995 platinum purity, this coin's tax treatment is generally favourable in jurisdictions that recognise investment-grade platinum.
- Australia: GST-free as investment-grade platinum (99% purity or above) in coin form from the Perth Mint. Subject to CGT on disposal with a 50% discount for holdings over 12 months.
- United States: Perth Mint .9995 platinum coins are generally IRA-eligible, meeting the fineness requirements of 26 USC 408(m). However, the rectangular format may raise classification questions with some custodians who expect conventional round coin shapes. Confirm IRA eligibility with your specific custodian. Sales tax varies by state.
- Canada: GST/HST exempt for platinum at 99.5% purity in coin form. The rectangular shape does not affect the Canadian tax classification. RRSP-eligible.
- United Kingdom: Subject to 20% VAT on platinum. Not UK legal tender, so also CGT-liable. Not CGT-exempt (only the Platinum Britannia holds that distinction for UK buyers).
- New Zealand: GST-exempt for platinum at 99% purity. No CGT.
- Singapore: GST-exempt under IPM scheme. Perth Mint coins at 99%+ purity that are legal tender qualify. No CGT.
- Hong Kong: No sales tax, no duties, no CGT.
- EU: Subject to local VAT rates on platinum (17-27%). No investment platinum VAT exemption exists in EU law.
1 oz Dragon Rectangular Platinum Coin: frequently asked questions
-
The coin weighs one troy ounce (1 oz) of 999.5 fine platinum, struck by the Perth Mint in Australia. It is issued as Australian legal tender. The rectangular format sets it apart from conventional round coins, combining the legal tender status of a government-issued coin with the distinctive profile of a bar.
-
The Dragon Rectangular series has been issued annually by the Perth Mint since 2018. Each year features a new dragon design on the reverse, drawing on both Eastern and Western dragon mythology. The rectangular shape is unusual for a legal tender coin, described by the Perth Mint as a cross between a conventional coin and a bar. Both bullion and proof editions are released each year, with proof versions produced in strictly limited numbers.
-
Perth Mint coins carry several security features: micro-laser engraved letters on the reverse that are only visible under magnification, the Perth Mint 'P' mintmark, and the LBMA-accredited swan logo. Proof versions include additional anti-counterfeiting measures. Purchasing from an authorised dealer and checking that the coin arrives in original sealed packaging provides further assurance.