5 oz PAMP Suisse Lunar Silver Bar

Swiss Refinery Craftsmanship Meets the Chinese Zodiac

The 5 oz PAMP Suisse Lunar silver bar combines 155.52 grams of .999 fine silver with annually changing zodiac animal artwork from one of Switzerland's most respected refineries. PAMP (Produits Artistiques Metaux Precieux) has been an LBMA-accredited refiner since its founding in 1977 in Ticino, and the Lunar series represents their premium themed offering. Each year features the corresponding Chinese zodiac animal, with the original Lunar Calendar Series running from 2012 (Dragon) through 2023 (Rabbit), followed by the Lunar Legend Series starting in 2024 with more elaborate mythological storytelling.

The 5 oz format is less common in the PAMP Lunar range than the popular 1 oz size, making it a more distinctive piece for collectors assembling a zodiac set. Every PAMP Lunar bar ships sealed in the signature red CertiPAMP tamper-evident assay card with individually stamped serial number. Bars produced from 2017 onward include Veriscan anti-counterfeiting technology, which maps the microscopic surface topography of each bar and allows verification through an iPhone app without breaking the seal.

The collector dimension of the Lunar series means these bars carry premiums above standard PAMP silver bars. Buyers focused solely on accumulating silver weight at the lowest cost would find better value in generic 5 oz silver bars or PAMP's own non-themed range. The Lunar bar appeals to those who value both the metal content and the annual collectible cycle, particularly buyers with a connection to the Chinese zodiac tradition or those building a multi-year set.

PAMP Lunar 5 oz Silver Bar Technical Specifications

The bar is produced using PAMP's minting process, which stamps the design with precision into the silver blank to create sharp detail and a mirror-like finish. This contrasts with the rougher texture of cast bars. The obverse carries the zodiac animal design for the corresponding year, while the reverse displays PAMP's standard hallmarks including weight, purity, serial number, and assayer's mark. The CertiPAMP card acts as both packaging and authentication certificate. Veriscan verification works through the sealed packaging, meaning authenticity can be confirmed without ever opening the card.

Tax and Legal Status of the PAMP Lunar Silver Bar

As a .999 fine silver bar from a Swiss LBMA-accredited refinery, the PAMP Lunar bar has no legal tender status and receives standard silver bar tax treatment globally. The themed design and collector premium do not alter the tax classification.

• United States: No federal sales tax. State exemptions vary; most states exempt investment precious metals. IRA-eligible: .999 silver bars from LBMA-accredited refiners like PAMP qualify for Precious Metals IRAs. Capital gains taxed at the 28% collectibles rate for holdings over one year.
• United Kingdom: 20% VAT on purchase. Gold PAMP bars are VAT-exempt, but silver is not, regardless of purity. Not CGT-exempt. UK buyers seeking CGT-exempt lunar-themed bullion should consider Royal Mint Lunar coins instead, which carry legal tender status.
• European Union: Silver bars subject to full local VAT rates (17-27% depending on country). Some countries offer margin scheme (Differenzbesteuerung in Germany) for pre-owned silver. Investment gold from PAMP would be VAT-exempt, but silver is not covered by the Investment Gold Directive.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt. Silver bars at .999+ purity qualify as investment precious metals.
• Australia: GST-free for investment-grade silver at .999+ purity from LBMA-accredited refiners.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the IPM scheme. PAMP's LBMA accreditation satisfies Singapore's qualifying refiner requirement for silver at .999+ purity.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax. The Lunar theme has particular cultural resonance in Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets.
• Switzerland: Silver bars attract VAT at 8.1% (the lowest rate in Europe). PAMP bars can be purchased with Swiss vault storage options to defer or avoid VAT in some arrangements.

Two Zodiac Cycles from Switzerland's Artistic Refinery

PAMP introduced the Lunar Calendar Series in 2012 with the Year of the Dragon, running one zodiac animal per year through the complete 12-year Chinese cycle ending with the Rabbit in 2023. The original series took a relatively straightforward approach to depicting each zodiac animal, with designs evolving in style across the cycle. The 2015 (Goat), 2018 (Dog), and 2019 (Pig) releases featured adult-and-young animal pairings, while 2017's Rooster introduced a distinctive cliff-edge perspective that stood apart from the other designs.

Following the completion of the first cycle, PAMP launched the Lunar Legend Series in 2024 rather than simply repeating the same zodiac sequence. The Legend series represents a creative reboot, shifting focus from literal animal depictions to the mythological stories behind each zodiac sign. The 2024 release featured the Azure Dragon as a guardian of the east associated with spring and rain, while 2025's White Snake drew from the tale of Bai Suzhen, a story of wisdom, transformation, and prosperity. This narrative approach gives each release cultural depth that distinguishes the second cycle from the first.

PAMP was the first refinery to produce artistic minted bars, beginning with the famous Fortuna design in 1979. The Lunar series continues this tradition of treating bullion bars as a canvas for skilled artwork, a philosophy that sets PAMP apart from refineries focused purely on the investment function of their products. The 5 oz silver format provides a larger surface area for the detailed zodiac designs compared to the smaller 1 oz bars.

PAMP Lunar vs Other 5 oz Silver Bar Options

The 5 oz PAMP Lunar bar occupies a specific position in the market, blending investment bullion with collectible themes. Its direct competitors depend on whether the buyer prioritises the lunar/zodiac theme, the Swiss refinery pedigree, or simply the 5 oz silver weight.

vs Perth Mint Lunar coins: Perth Mint produces the longest-running lunar-themed bullion programme (since 1996, now in Series III). Their products are legal tender coins rather than bars, which gives them CGT exemption in some jurisdictions. Perth Mint Lunar coins are .9999 silver (vs PAMP's .999). However, Perth Mint's 5 oz lunar pieces are coins with higher premiums, not bars. PAMP offers a lower premium per ounce for the lunar theme in bar format.

vs Standard 5 oz PAMP Suisse bar: The non-themed PAMP bar delivers the same Swiss LBMA-accredited silver with identical CertiPAMP packaging and Veriscan security, but at a lower premium. The price difference represents the Lunar design's collector value. Buyers who want PAMP quality without paying for themed artwork should consider the standard bar.

vs 5 oz Scottsdale Stacker: Scottsdale offers a functional design innovation (interlocking bars for stable stacking) rather than themed artwork. Scottsdale Stackers typically sit between generic bars and PAMP Lunar bars in premium terms. The choice depends on whether you value the zodiac collectible cycle or the practical stacking mechanism.

vs Argor-Heraeus Lunar bars: Both are Swiss LBMA-accredited refineries producing lunar-themed bars. PAMP's Veriscan technology and more widely recognised CertiPAMP packaging give it an edge in authentication and resale confidence. Argor-Heraeus bars may be available at marginally lower premiums.