Chinese Lunar Silver

The Silver Chinese Lunar from Emirates Gold

The Chinese Lunar series from Emirates Gold offers silver rounds, coins, and bars themed around the twelve-year Chinese zodiac cycle. Each annual release features a different zodiac animal, from the Rat through to the Pig, struck in .999 fine silver. Emirates Gold, a Dubai-based refinery established in 1992 and one of the largest in the Middle East, produces these pieces across a broad range of weights, from fractional 1/4 oz coins up to 1 kilo pieces.

For silver stackers interested in zodiac-themed bullion, the Chinese Lunar series sits in a different segment from the more widely recognised sovereign mint programs. The Perth Mint Lunar series and the Chinese Silver Panda both carry legal tender status and higher purities (999.9 fine), which gives them stronger institutional recognition and, in some jurisdictions, tax advantages. Emirates Gold's Chinese Lunar pieces are privately minted rounds and coins without legal tender status, but they come at lower premiums and offer an unusually wide range of sizes and formats.

The series spans coins, rounds, and bars, giving buyers flexibility depending on preference. Rounds are available in 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, and 10 oz sizes, while coins range from 1/4 oz to 1 kilo. The variety of formats is distinctive; most competing lunar programs limit their silver offerings to a few standard weights. Emirates Gold's products meet the Dubai Good Delivery standard, though the refinery does not hold LBMA Good Delivery accreditation, which may affect resale liquidity with some international dealers.

The zodiac cycle gives the series a natural collecting structure. Buyers who pick up one animal year are often drawn to complete the twelve-year set, a pattern familiar to collectors of the Perth Mint and Royal Mint lunar programs. Dragon year issues tend to attract the strongest demand across all zodiac series, reflecting the dragon's cultural significance in Chinese tradition.

Chinese Lunar Silver Specifications

All pieces carry the Emirates Gold hallmark and purity stamp. The silver purity across most of the range is .999 fine, with the 1/2 oz coin variant listed at .999.9 fine. Each piece is stamped with weight and fineness markings consistent with Dubai Good Delivery standards.

The range is notably broader than most competing lunar series. The Perth Mint Lunar program, for comparison, focuses on 1 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, and 1 kilo silver coins. Emirates Gold adds rounds and bars to the mix, plus fractional sizes down to 1/4 oz that are uncommon in silver lunar offerings.

Tax Treatment for Silver Chinese Lunar Bullion

The Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar silver pieces are privately minted products without legal tender status. This classification affects their tax treatment in most jurisdictions, generally placing them in the same category as silver bars and rounds rather than sovereign-minted coins.

United Kingdom: Silver bullion of all forms is subject to 20% VAT in the UK. The Chinese Lunar rounds, coins, and bars all attract the full VAT rate. They are not CGT-exempt, as CGT exemption applies only to UK legal tender coins such as the Silver Britannia. Some UK dealers offer VAT-free storage in offshore vaults, where silver is held outside UK customs territory and VAT is deferred until physical delivery.

United States: State sales tax treatment varies. Most US states exempt investment-grade silver from sales tax, though some states apply tax on purchases below certain thresholds. The .999 silver rounds are generally IRA-eligible through approved custodians, as the IRS accepts .999 fine silver bars and rounds from recognised manufacturers. Capital gains on silver are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28% federally.

Canada: Silver bullion at .999 purity (exceeding the 99.9% threshold) is exempt from GST/HST under Canadian federal law. No provincial variation applies to this exemption.

Australia: Investment-grade silver requires 99.9% purity for GST exemption. The .999 fine pieces meet this threshold and should qualify as GST-free, provided they are in a form commonly traded on commodity markets.

New Zealand: Fine silver at 99.9% purity or above is GST-exempt. The .999 fine pieces qualify. New Zealand has no formal capital gains tax.

Singapore: Silver bars and coins meeting the Investment Precious Metals (IPM) criteria (99.9% purity, qualifying form) are exempt from the 9% GST. The rounds and bars in this series should qualify under IPM rules.

Hong Kong: No sales tax, VAT, or import duty applies to silver bullion in any form. Hong Kong remains one of the most tax-efficient jurisdictions for silver purchases.

South Africa: Silver bullion is subject to 15% VAT regardless of form. Only gold Krugerrands receive the zero-rating exemption in South Africa; silver products do not benefit from any VAT relief.

Chinese Lunar Silver vs Other Zodiac Series

The silver bullion market has several competing zodiac and lunar programs, each targeting a different buyer profile. The Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar series occupies a distinct position as a privately minted, Dubai-produced alternative to the sovereign mint offerings that dominate this space.

The Perth Mint Lunar series is the most established competitor. Running since 1996 across three complete series, Perth Mint Lunars are struck in .9999 fine silver, carry Australian legal tender status, and benefit from the Perth Mint's global brand recognition. Their mintages have historically been higher, and secondary market liquidity is strong. The trade-off is price: Perth Mint Lunars typically carry higher premiums than the Emirates Gold pieces. For buyers prioritising resale ease and international recognition, the Perth Mint series has clear advantages.

The Royal Mint's Shengxiao collection offers UK legal tender status, which brings CGT exemption for UK buyers. At .999 fine silver with unlimited bullion mintages, the Royal Mint Lunars are positioned as accessible sovereign bullion. The CGT benefit is meaningful for UK-based investors planning to hold long term, a tax advantage that no Emirates Gold product can match.

The Golden State Mint Chinese Zodiac rounds are the closest competitor in terms of market positioning. Both are privately minted .999 silver rounds with zodiac themes and no legal tender status. Golden State Mint operates from the US and focuses on 1 oz rounds, while Emirates Gold offers a much wider size range. Premiums on both are lower than sovereign alternatives, making them appealing for buyers focused on silver weight accumulation rather than collector premiums.

The KOMSCO Chiwoo Cheonwang from South Korea uses a "Clay" denomination system rather than traditional legal tender. KOMSCO medals are struck in .9999 fine silver with mintages of 30,000 to 50,000, giving them a collector-oriented premium that exceeds the Emirates Gold pieces. The Chiwoo series follows a battle narrative rather than a zodiac cycle, so the collecting dynamic differs.

Emirates Gold's main selling points in this comparison are variety and accessibility. No other lunar program offers silver in as many weights and formats (coins, rounds, and bars spanning 1/4 oz to 1 kilo). For buyers in the Gulf and Asian markets, Emirates Gold's strong regional distribution network and Dubai gold market presence provide convenient access. The series trades at lower premiums than sovereign-mint competitors, making it efficient for accumulating silver weight. The trade-offs are limited international brand recognition and the absence of LBMA accreditation, both of which may affect resale pricing outside the Middle East.