Alpha & Omega Silver

The Alpha and Omega: Faith-Based Silver from Scottsdale Mint

The Alpha and Omega is the inaugural release in "The Jesus Collection," a faith-based coin series from Scottsdale Mint. Issued in 2021 as legal tender of the Independent State of Samoa, the coins are struck by Scottsdale Mint under licence from Samoa. The reverse depicts Jesus Christ in the classical Byzantine tradition of Christ Pantocrator (Christ Almighty), holding an orb and flanked by the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolising the totality and eternal nature of God. The inscription reads "I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT" and "I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH," drawn from 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

The design was inspired by a prominent mosaic in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in Missouri, one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States, known for housing one of the largest mosaic collections in the world. The Christ Pantocrator tradition in art dates to early Byzantine work from the 6th century onwards, with the most famous examples found at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Hagia Sophia.

The silver versions are available as a 1 oz coin (.999 fine, face value 2 Samoan Tala) and a 1/2 oz coin (.999 fine, face value 1 Tala). Multiple finish options include proof-like, antiqued, and a black rhodium proof. The black rhodium treatment is unusual in the bullion space, using rhodium plating to create a dark, dramatic appearance that contrasts with the underlying silver. Mintages are deliberately low: 5,000 pieces per finish variant for the 1 oz silver and 10,000 for the 1/2 oz.

Entire profits from sales are donated through the "Coins for Charity" programme to Global Fingerprints, which supports children's education in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over $150,000 has been donated to build schools, provide safe drinking water, and transportation. This charitable component is a genuine differentiator; few bullion products directly channel profits to charity.

Tax Treatment of Alpha and Omega Silver Coins

The Alpha and Omega coins are legal tender of the Independent State of Samoa, denominated in Tala. The face values are nominal: 1 Tala for the 1/2 oz silver and 2 Tala for the 1 oz silver. The Samoan Tala is worth approximately USD 0.37, so the face values are far below the metal content of the coins.

United States: State sales tax treatment varies. As legal tender coins meeting purity thresholds, they qualify for exemption in most states that exempt investment precious metals. These coins are generally not considered IRA-eligible, as Samoan coins are not on the standard IRS-approved list for precious metals IRAs. Capital gains are taxed at the collectibles rate, up to 28% federally for long-term holdings.

United Kingdom: The gold versions of the Alpha and Omega qualify as VAT-free investment gold (purity exceeds .995). The silver versions are subject to 20% VAT, as silver coins from non-UK issuers do not receive any special exemption. Not CGT-exempt (only UK legal tender coins qualify).

Canada: Silver at .999+ purity is GST/HST exempt regardless of the issuing authority.

Australia: GST-free at .999+ purity in tradeable coin form.

Key consideration: The low mintages and collector-oriented finishes mean premiums on these coins are well above spot price. This is more of a collector and faith-based product than a vehicle for accumulating silver bullion at minimal cost over spot. The charitable angle adds a dimension of purpose to the purchase but does not affect the underlying tax treatment.

Alpha and Omega vs Other Faith-Themed and Collector Silver

The faith-based bullion category is small but growing. The most relevant comparisons are with other religious-themed silver products and with Scottsdale Mint's own range.

PAMP Suisse's Faith series produces bars in five religious designs, including the Am Yisrael Chai (Judaism), Romanesque Cross (Christianity), Ka'bah (Islam), Lakshmi (Hinduism), and Buddha (Buddhism). PAMP bars carry stronger brand recognition in the international bullion market due to LBMA accreditation and Veriscan authentication. The Alpha and Omega counters with its coin format, legal tender status, and the charitable donation component. PAMP bars are more liquid at resale; the Alpha and Omega targets buyers who value the specific Christian iconography and the charity connection.

Within Scottsdale Mint's range, the Archangel Michael bars and rounds offer a complementary religious theme with warrior-angel imagery. These are lower-premium bullion products compared to the Alpha and Omega's collector-oriented pricing and limited mintages. Buyers choosing between them are weighing premium cost against artistic distinction and scarcity.

The extremely low mintage on the silver coins (5,000 per finish for the 1 oz) makes these genuinely scarce items, but that scarcity also limits secondary market liquidity. Buyers should consider whether their goal is silver accumulation (in which case sovereign bullion coins like the American Silver Eagle or Canadian Maple Leaf offer far better liquidity) or collecting faith-themed numismatic pieces (where the Alpha and Omega's distinctive design, charity connection, and low mintage create real differentiation).