Chinese Zodiac Silver

Golden State Mint Chinese Zodiac Silver Rounds

The Chinese Zodiac series from Golden State Mint (GSM) is one of the longest-running private-mint lunar programs in the US. Each year features the corresponding animal from the twelve-year Chinese zodiac cycle, struck in .999 fine silver across 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, and 5 oz round formats. GSM, founded in 1974 by Jim Pavlakos and now operated alongside his son Andrew, runs facilities in Fullerton, California and Lake Mary, Florida.

These are private-mint rounds, not legal tender coins. They carry no face value and no government backing. That distinction matters for tax purposes and resale, but it also keeps premiums low. The Chinese Zodiac rounds trade at some of the lowest premiums over spot for a themed silver round, making them efficient for buyers focused on accumulating silver weight rather than chasing collector premiums or sovereign-mint recognition.

The design follows a consistent format across all zodiac years. The obverse features an elaborate depiction of the year's animal alongside its Chinese character, with "One Troy Ounce," ".999 Fine Silver," and "Golden State Mint" inscribed around the rim. The reverse displays all twelve zodiac animals arranged in a circle, providing a common element that unifies the series. This shared reverse means even single purchases fit into a larger collecting framework.

GSM does not publish fixed mintage numbers. Production is demand-driven, which keeps the rounds readily available but also means they lack the scarcity-driven premiums that characterise limited-edition sovereign issues. For buyers comparing this to the Perth Mint Lunar series or the Perth Mint Myths and Legends, the trade-off is clear: significantly lower cost per ounce in exchange for less liquidity on the secondary market and no legal tender benefits.

Tax Considerations for Silver Zodiac Rounds

As privately minted rounds without legal tender status, the Golden State Mint Chinese Zodiac pieces fall under the general tax rules for silver bullion in each jurisdiction. The .999 purity meets or exceeds the investment-grade threshold in most countries.

United States: The primary market for GSM products. State sales tax treatment varies; most states exempt investment-grade silver, but some apply tax below certain purchase thresholds (California exempts purchases over $2,000; Florida over $500; New York over $1,000). The .999 fine silver rounds are generally IRA-eligible through approved custodians, as the IRS accepts .999 fine silver rounds from recognised manufacturers for Precious Metals IRAs. Federal capital gains tax treats silver as a collectible at up to 28% on long-term gains.

United Kingdom: Silver rounds are subject to 20% VAT. No CGT exemption applies, as these are neither UK legal tender nor qualifying coins. The VAT burden makes UK purchase of private-mint silver rounds particularly expensive relative to spot price.

Canada: At .999 purity, the rounds exceed the 99.9% GST/HST exemption threshold. Canadian buyers should pay no purchase tax, though availability from Canadian dealers may be limited.

Australia: Silver must be 99.9% pure for GST exemption. The .999 fine rounds meet this threshold and should qualify, provided they are considered to be in a tradeable form. Rounds from recognised manufacturers generally qualify.

New Zealand: Fine silver at 99.9% purity qualifies for GST exemption. No capital gains tax applies in New Zealand.

Singapore: For silver to qualify as Investment Precious Metals (IPM) and receive GST exemption, it must be 99.9% pure and in bar, ingot, or wafer form, or be a qualifying coin that is or was legal tender. Private-mint rounds without legal tender status may not qualify for IPM exemption, which would mean 9% GST applies.

Hong Kong: No sales tax, VAT, or import duty on any form of silver bullion. No capital gains tax.

South Africa: All silver bullion is subject to 15% VAT. No exemption exists for silver, regardless of form or origin.

GSM Chinese Zodiac vs Other Zodiac Silver Options

The Golden State Mint Chinese Zodiac rounds compete primarily on price. Among the various lunar and zodiac programs available in silver, GSM rounds consistently sit at or near the bottom of the premium range, making them attractive for weight-focused buyers.

The Perth Mint Lunar series is the benchmark for zodiac silver bullion. At .9999 fine silver with Australian legal tender status, Perth Mint Lunars offer higher purity, stronger international recognition, and broader resale liquidity. They also cost substantially more per ounce. The Perth Mint has completed three full 12-year series cycles since 1996, building a collector market that GSM rounds cannot match. Buyers who plan to sell internationally or who value tax advantages (IRA eligibility in the US, GST exemption in Singapore and Australia) get more from the Perth Mint product.

The Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar series is a closer competitor. Both are privately minted .999 silver without legal tender status, and both target the budget end of the zodiac market. Emirates Gold offers a wider range of sizes and formats (coins, rounds, and bars from 1/4 oz to 1 kilo), while GSM focuses on rounds in 1/2 oz through 5 oz. Emirates Gold's distribution strength lies in the Gulf and Asian markets; GSM's strength is in the US domestic market through direct sales and major bullion dealers like JM Bullion and Provident Metals.

The Royal Mint Lunar (Shengxiao) collection provides UK legal tender status, which carries CGT exemption for UK buyers. At .999 silver with unlimited bullion mintages, the Royal Mint Lunars are accessible sovereign coins that offer a tax advantage no private-mint round can replicate in the UK market.

Generic rounds from other US private mints (SilverTowne, Sunshine Minting) trade at similar premiums to the GSM Zodiac rounds, but without the annual zodiac theme. The themed design gives the GSM series a collecting dimension that plain rounds lack; buyers can assemble a complete 12-animal set across a full zodiac cycle. Multiple cycles have been produced, so earlier designs may surface on the secondary market at varying premiums.

For US-based buyers prioritising the lowest cost per ounce of silver in a themed round, the GSM Chinese Zodiac series is hard to beat. For buyers who need legal tender status, higher purity, tax-advantaged treatment, or strong international resale liquidity, sovereign-mint alternatives from Perth Mint, Royal Mint, or the Royal Canadian Mint offer better long-term value despite their higher upfront premiums.