5g PAMP Suisse Lunar Gold Bar

A 5g Gold Bar with Annual Zodiac Design

The 5g PAMP Lunar gold bar combines investment-grade bullion with the Chinese zodiac calendar, a 12-year cycle of animal motifs that gives each year's production its own collectible identity. Produced by PAMP Suisse at their Ticino refinery, the bar is 999.9 fine gold and sealed in PAMP's distinctive red CertiPAMP tamper-evident assay card with a unique serial number.

PAMP has run two zodiac series. The Lunar Calendar Series (2012-2023) completed a full cycle from Dragon to Rabbit, with each year's bar depicting the corresponding zodiac animal. The Lunar Legend Series, launched in 2024 with the Azure Dragon, takes a different creative approach: instead of simply depicting the animal, it illustrates the mythological stories behind each zodiac figure, drawing from Chinese folklore and cultural tradition. The 2025 release features the White Snake, based on the tale of Bai Suzhen, representing wisdom and transformation. The Legend series is expected to run through 2035.

The 5g size occupies a particular niche in the Lunar range. It is the most popular collector format, sitting at a price point (around $500-$550 for gold) that makes annual purchases feasible for collectors following the zodiac cycle. PAMP sells a boxed set of all 12 Calendar Series animals in 5g gold, which commands a premium well above the sum of the individual bars. The 5g format is also popular for Chinese New Year gifting, where the cultural resonance of the zodiac design adds meaning beyond the metal value.

Since 2017, PAMP Lunar bars include VeriScan anti-counterfeiting technology, which maps the microscopic surface topography of each bar and registers it in PAMP's database. The bar can be authenticated via the VeriScan smartphone app, scanning through the sealed CertiPAMP packaging. This LBMA-accredited security system was developed partly in response to documented counterfeiting of PAMP bars in the secondary market.

5g PAMP Lunar Gold Bar Specifications

Lunar Calendar Series Animals (2012-2023)

The 5g format is the core collector size for the Lunar range. PAMP produces a boxed set containing all 12 Calendar Series zodiac animals in 5g gold, which is sold as a single collector product. The obverse of each bar features the zodiac animal with its Chinese character; the reverse carries PAMP's standard elements including the logo, weight, purity, serial number, and assayer's mark.

Tax Treatment of the 5g PAMP Lunar Gold Bar

The 5g Lunar bar has the same tax treatment as any 999.9 fine gold bar from an LBMA-accredited refiner. It is not legal tender in any jurisdiction.

• United Kingdom: VAT-exempt on purchase (investment gold). Subject to Capital Gains Tax at 18-24% on disposal, with a GBP 3,000 annual allowance. Not CGT-exempt. For UK buyers wanting both CGT exemption and a zodiac design, the Royal Mint's Lunar Year coins (UK legal tender) offer that combination, though at a higher premium per gram.
• United States: IRA-eligible. 999.9 purity exceeds the IRS 99.5% minimum for gold in a self-directed IRA. Capital gains at the 28% collectibles rate. State sales tax varies by state.
• Canada: GST/HST-exempt at 99.5%+ purity.
• European Union: VAT-exempt as investment gold under the EU Gold Directive. Silver Lunar bars are subject to local VAT rates (margin scheme may apply on pre-owned bars in Germany and the Netherlands).
• Switzerland: Investment gold is VAT-exempt. Silver bars are subject to the 8.1% reduced VAT rate. PAMP bars can be purchased from GOLDAVENUE with Swiss storage options.
• Australia: GST-free as investment-grade gold.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme. No capital gains tax. The Lunar theme has particular cultural resonance in Singapore's market.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax. Strong demand for zodiac-themed bullion around Chinese New Year.

Two Zodiac Cycles from PAMP Suisse

The Lunar Calendar Series launched in 2012 with the Year of the Dragon, adopting the same 12-animal cycle that has governed the Chinese zodiac for centuries. Each year's bar depicts the corresponding animal, with the design style evolving across the cycle. Early releases (2012-2014, 2016) featured single animals viewed from different perspectives. The 2015 Goat, 2018 Dog, and 2019 Pig bars introduced adult-and-young pairings. The 2017 Rooster stood out with a distinctive cliff-edge perspective and was the first year to incorporate VeriScan technology. The cycle closed with the 2023 Rabbit.

When the 12-year cycle completed, PAMP launched the Lunar Legend Series in 2024 rather than simply repeating the same zodiac animals. The Legend series shifts from depicting the animals to illustrating the mythological stories behind them. The 2024 Azure Dragon draws from Chinese mythology's Four Symbols, where the Azure Dragon guards the east and governs spring and rain. The 2025 White Snake tells the story of Bai Suzhen, a tale of wisdom, transformation, and prosperity central to Chinese literary tradition. This storytelling approach adds cultural depth that distinguishes the second cycle from the first and justifies collector premiums on a creative basis.

The complete Calendar Series set in 5g gold (all 12 animals) is sold as a single boxed collector item and trades at a premium above the sum of the individual bars. Individual year bars from the completed Calendar Series remain available on the secondary market, with Dragon (2012, the inaugural year) and Rabbit (2023, the final year) typically carrying the strongest collector demand.

PAMP was the company that pioneered decorative minted bars in 1979 with the Lady Fortuna design. The Lunar series continues that tradition of treating bullion bars as a canvas for artwork, and the Legend series represents a further step in that direction by incorporating narrative and mythology.

5g PAMP Lunar vs Fortuna, Perth Mint Lunar, and Royal Mint Lunar

The 5g Lunar bar sits at the intersection of investment bullion and collectible themed product. The primary choice is between PAMP's Lunar bar and the standard 5g Fortuna bar, both from the same refinery. The Fortuna carries a lower premium because its fixed design creates no year-specific scarcity or collector demand. The Fortuna also has broader dealer distribution and higher liquidity on the secondary market. Buyers choosing the Lunar bar are paying a premium for the annual design, cultural resonance, and the potential (not guaranteed) for collector appreciation on completed cycles or popular years.

Perth Mint's Lunar series is the main competitor in zodiac-themed bullion, but it consists of legal tender coins rather than bars. Perth Mint has produced three generations: Series I (1996-2007), Series II (2008-2019), and Series III (2020-2031). As coins with Australian dollar face values, Perth Mint Lunar products carry legal tender status and potential CGT advantages in some jurisdictions. Perth Mint's Lunar range also has a longer track record (since 1996 vs PAMP's 2012), which gives it stronger name recognition among zodiac-themed bullion collectors. PAMP Lunar bars typically carry lower premiums per gram than equivalent Perth Mint coins, making them the more cost-efficient option for buyers who want zodiac-themed gold at investment-oriented pricing.

The Royal Mint's Lunar Year coins offer UK buyers a unique advantage: as UK legal tender, they are both VAT-free and CGT-exempt. For UK residents who want zodiac-themed gold with optimal tax treatment, Royal Mint Lunar coins are the clear choice despite higher premiums. The PAMP Lunar bar is preferable for non-UK buyers who prioritise lower premiums and bar format, or for collectors who value PAMP's Swiss craftsmanship and VeriScan authentication.

Compared to PAMP's own 5g Rosa bar, the Lunar bar has the advantage of VeriScan technology (the Rosa does not include VeriScan) and a rotating design that gives each year's bar a distinct identity. The Rosa is a fixed-design alternative for buyers who prefer the floral aesthetic without the annual cycle.