Silver Trader
1 listing Prices & premiums exclude tax to compare across countries
Filters
| Product | /oz | Premium | Price (ex. tax) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $89.27 |
+35.88%
+63% inc.VAT
|
$44.65
£40 inc.VAT
|
View Deal |
Prices are fetched automatically and may not reflect current merchant prices. Currency conversions and tax treatment are approximate. Rankings are based solely on price. We are not a dealer and accept no responsibility for transactions with listed merchants. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This site does not provide investment advice. Full disclaimer
About the 1/2 oz Royal Australian Mint Lunar Silver Coin
Australia's National Mint Enters the Zodiac Market
The 1/2 oz Royal Australian Mint (RAM) Lunar silver coin is a fractional denomination from the Australian government's zodiac-themed bullion programme, launched in 2020. Each year features the corresponding Chinese zodiac animal in a contemporary artistic style, cycling through the 12-year sequence: Mouse (2020), Ox (2021), Tiger (2022), Rabbit (2023), Dragon (2024), and Snake (2025).
This series is distinct from the Perth Mint Lunar (which started in 1996 and is now on Series III). The RAM and Perth Mint are entirely separate operations: RAM is the national federal mint in Canberra, ACT, responsible for Australia's circulating coinage and commemoratives; the Perth Mint is a Western Australian state government enterprise that dominates bullion production. The RAM Lunar represents Canberra's entry into the investment bullion market that Perth has controlled for decades.
At .999 fine silver, the RAM Lunar sits slightly below the .9999 standard used by the Perth Kangaroo and Maple Leaf, though this one-nine difference has no practical impact on tax treatment or IRA eligibility (all require only .999 minimum for silver). The silver bullion version has a mintage of 50,000 per year, making it considerably scarcer than the Perth Mint's unlimited-mintage silver bullion.
Design style is a key differentiator. RAM lunar coins use a more modern, contemporary Australian art aesthetic compared to the Perth Mint's traditional Chinese-influenced motifs. Each design is commissioned from Australian artists, giving the series a distinctive visual identity. The 2024 Dragon year, traditionally the most popular in any lunar series, saw particularly strong demand.
RAM Lunar 1/2 oz Silver Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1/2 troy oz (15.55 g) |
| Purity | .999 fine silver |
| Face value | A$0.50 |
| Manufacturer | Royal Australian Mint (Canberra, ACT) |
| Legal tender | Australia |
| Annual mintage (1 oz silver) | 50,000 |
| First issued | 2020 (Year of the Mouse) |
Release Schedule
| Year | Animal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Mouse (Rat) | Inaugural year; first RAM coin with new security feature |
| 2021 | Ox | |
| 2022 | Tiger | |
| 2023 | Rabbit | |
| 2024 | Dragon | Highest demand (most auspicious zodiac year) |
| 2025 | Snake | Obverse transition to King Charles III |
The obverse carried Queen Elizabeth II (Jody Clark portrait) from 2020-2024, transitioning to King Charles III from 2025 onward. The 2020 release was notable as the first RAM coin to feature a new multi-level security system, though specific details of this technology are not publicly disclosed, following a security-through-obscurity approach that contrasts with the public documentation provided by mints like the RCM for their Bullion DNA system. RAM designs use a contemporary Australian art style distinct from the Perth Mint's traditional Chinese-influenced lunar aesthetic, with each year's zodiac animal interpreted by Australian designers.
RAM Lunar Tax Treatment
As Australian legal tender from the national mint at .999 silver purity, the RAM Lunar qualifies for standard investment bullion exemptions in most jurisdictions where the purity threshold is met.
- Australia: GST-exempt for investment-grade silver at 99.9%+ purity in a form commonly traded on commodity markets. Subject to capital gains tax on disposal, with a 50% CGT discount for individuals holding longer than 12 months. Available from the RAM eshop, ABC Bullion, and local Australian dealers.
- United States: Meets the .999 purity threshold for IRA silver under the generic bullion provision. Not all custodians specifically list RAM products, as IRA-approved lists tend to focus on American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and Perth Mint coins. Buyers should verify eligibility with their specific custodian before purchase. State sales tax varies; approximately 35 states exempt bullion.
- United Kingdom: Silver attracts 20% VAT on purchase and import. Not CGT-exempt (only UK Royal Mint legal tender qualifies for CGT exemption). Available through specialist UK dealers including Atkinsons and BullionByPost.
- Canada: GST/HST exempt as qualifying sovereign silver bullion meeting the purity requirement. Standard capital gains treatment applies on disposal.
- New Zealand: GST-exempt for fine silver at 99.9%+ purity in qualifying bullion form. No capital gains tax applies in most circumstances.
- Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals (IPM) scheme for silver at 99.9%+ purity in qualifying form from accredited sources.
RAM Lunar vs Perth Mint Lunar and Other Zodiac Coins
The primary comparison is inevitable: the Perth Mint Lunar series, which has dominated the zodiac bullion market since 1996 and is now on its third 12-year cycle.
Perth Mint Lunar advantages: three decades of brand recognition, a complete size range from 1/20 oz to 10 kg in gold and 1/2 oz to 10 kg in silver, unlimited bullion-grade mintages ensuring consistent availability, .9999 silver purity (vs RAM's .999), and established collector demand with proven secondary market performance across all three series. Perth Mint lunar coins are a known quantity with deep global liquidity.
RAM Lunar advantages: lower mintages (50,000 silver vs Perth's unlimited), lower premiums due to less brand recognition in the global market, and a distinctly different design aesthetic. The 5,000 gold mintage is notably scarce for a government bullion coin. For buyers who want zodiac-themed silver at the lowest premium from an Australian government mint, the RAM Lunar represents genuine value.
Against the RCM Lunar, the Canadian programme is even more collector-oriented with extremely limited mintages (1,888 for some gold denominations) and higher premiums. The RCM Lunar coins lean heavily toward numismatic value rather than pure bullion, while the RAM Lunar sits between pure bullion and collector piece.
For pure silver weight accumulation without zodiac theming, the Perth Kangaroo offers .9999 purity, unlimited mintage, and lower premiums. The RAM Lunar's appeal is specifically for buyers who value the Chinese zodiac theme, limited production, and the collectibility of building a complete 12-year set from Australia's national mint.
1/2 oz Royal Australian Mint Lunar Silver Coin: frequently asked questions
-
The cheapest Royal Australian Mint 1/2oz Lunar silver coin tracked here is $44.65 from Silver Trader, currently about 35.9% over the silver spot price. At half a troy ounce of .999 fine silver, it offers a lower entry cost than the full-ounce version.
-
The RAM Lunar series is an annual silver (and gold) bullion coin programme issued by the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra. Each release features the Chinese zodiac animal for that year, cycling through all 12 animals over 12 years. The series launched in 2020 with the Year of the Mouse, with coins struck in .999 fine silver and issued as official Australian legal tender.
-
A half-troy-ounce silver coin weighs 1/2 oz (approximately 15.55g). Troy ounces are the standard unit for precious metals and are slightly heavier than an avoirdupois ounce (28.35g), so a half troy ounce is about 15.55g rather than the 14.17g a half avoirdupois ounce would weigh.
-
It depends on where you live. In the UK, gains above the £3,000 annual allowance are taxed at 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher rate); silver coins are not exempt. In the US, silver is treated as a collectible, so long-term gains can be taxed at up to 28%. In Canada, 50% of any capital gain is added to your taxable income at your marginal rate.