5g Argor-Heraeus Lunar Gold Bar

Swiss Zodiac Gold in a Compact Format

The 5g Argor-Heraeus Lunar gold bar is part of an annual limited-edition series from one of Switzerland's most established refineries. Each year, Argor-Heraeus issues a new design featuring the Chinese zodiac animal for that year, cycling through all twelve animals over the traditional twelve-year period. The 5g size places this bar at an accessible price point for collectors who want to build a zodiac set without committing to the premium of a 1oz Argor-Heraeus Lunar bar.

Argor-Heraeus, founded in 1951 in Mendrisio (Ticino, Switzerland), is one of only five LBMA referee panel members for gold refining, a distinction that places it among the most trusted names in the global gold market. The refinery processes approximately 400 tonnes of gold annually, making the Lunar series a tiny fraction of its total output. Each 5g bar is struck in .9999 fine gold and sealed in an assay card with a unique serial number formatted to show its position within the total mintage run.

The Lunar series is gold-only. Argor-Heraeus does not produce silver or platinum versions of these zodiac bars, which distinguishes the range from competitors like the Perth Mint Lunar series that spans multiple metals. Recent designs include the Ox (2021), Tiger (2022), Rabbit (2023), Dragon (2024), Snake (2025), and Horse (2026). The Dragon year typically generates the strongest demand and highest premiums, reflecting the dragon's supreme significance in Chinese culture.

5g Argor-Heraeus Lunar Bar Specifications

Mintage numbers for the Lunar series often incorporate culturally significant digits. The number 8 is considered lucky in Chinese culture (associated with wealth and prosperity), which explains mintage caps like 18,888 and 28,888 on the 1g versions. The 5g bar has a limited mintage that varies by zodiac year, with exact numbers not always published in advance.

The obverse carries Argor-Heraeus's identifying hallmarks arranged vertically: manufacturer name, Swiss origin marking, weight, gold content, purity, and serial number. The reverse features the zodiac animal for that year, rendered in detailed engraving with the Chinese character for the animal in the lower corner. The design aesthetic is more understated and elegant compared to the bolder, more colourful approaches taken by the Perth Mint or PAMP on their own Lunar ranges.

Tax Position of the 5g Argor-Heraeus Lunar Gold Bar

The .9999 fine gold purity and LBMA accreditation of Argor-Heraeus mean this bar qualifies as investment gold in every major jurisdiction. Purchase tax treatment is uniformly favourable, though capital gains rules differ by country.

Purchase Tax

• UK: VAT-exempt as investment gold (995+ fineness threshold comfortably exceeded).
• EU/Switzerland: VAT-exempt under the Investment Gold Directive. Switzerland, Argor-Heraeus's home country, charges no VAT on investment gold.
• US: No federal sales tax. Exempt in approximately 35 states. IRA-eligible due to .9999 purity from an LBMA-accredited refiner.
• Canada: GST/HST-exempt for gold bars at 99.5%+ purity.
• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the IPM (Investment Precious Metals) scheme.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty.

Capital Gains

• UK: Subject to CGT. Not UK legal tender, so no CGT exemption applies. Annual allowance of £3,000 before tax at 18-24%.
• US: Collectibles rate of up to 28% on long-term gains. IRA holding defers or eliminates this.
• Germany: Tax-free after one year of holding. This makes bars particularly cost-efficient for German investors, as the lower purchase premium (compared to coins) is not offset by CGT.
• Singapore/Hong Kong: No capital gains tax in either jurisdiction.

Argor-Heraeus Lunar vs Other 5g Zodiac and Themed Bars

The closest competitor is the 5g PAMP Lunar bar, another Swiss-made zodiac series in .9999 gold from an LBMA-accredited refiner. Both feature Chinese zodiac designs and come in similar sizes. PAMP generally commands slightly higher premiums due to stronger retail brand recognition, particularly in the US market. The Argor-Heraeus Lunar's advantage is its more restrained design aesthetic and the refinery's status as an LBMA referee panel member, a distinction PAMP does not hold.

Against non-zodiac 5g bars, the Argor-Heraeus Lunar competes with the 5g PAMP Fortuna, 5g Credit Suisse, and standard 5g Argor-Heraeus bars. The Lunar carries a modest premium above these plainer alternatives due to its limited mintage and themed design. For buyers focused purely on gold content per dollar, a standard Argor-Heraeus or Valcambi bar at the same weight will cost less.

Collectors interested in zodiac bullion at a different price point might consider the Perth Mint Lunar series, which produces sovereign coins rather than bars. The Perth Mint products have legal tender status ($100 AUD face value for the 1oz gold coin), wider dealer recognition, and, for Australian buyers, the backing of the Western Australian Government. The trade-off is a higher premium and a very different product format. The Argor-Heraeus Lunar's appeal is for collectors who prefer the bar format and Swiss manufacturing heritage over Australian sovereign coin status.