1 oz Chinese Lunar Silver Coin

Emirates Gold's Take on the Chinese Zodiac

The 1 oz Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar Silver Coin is part of a zodiac-themed series produced by Emirates Gold, a Dubai-based precious metals refinery established in 1992. These coins feature the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac cycle, appealing to the substantial East Asian and Southeast Asian communities in the UAE and broader Gulf region where gold gifting around Chinese New Year is a cultural tradition.

Emirates Gold is not a sovereign mint, and these coins are not legal tender. They are privately minted commemorative pieces carrying the Emirates Gold hallmark and meeting the Dubai Good Delivery (DGD) standard. This positions them differently from government-issued lunar coins like those from the People's Bank of China or the Perth Mint's Australian Lunar series, which carry legal tender status and LBMA-accredited provenance.

The series serves primarily the Gulf and South Asian markets, where Emirates Gold has strong distribution through the Dubai Gold Souk and regional dealer networks. Buyers in Western markets will find these coins less common than Perth Mint or Royal Canadian Mint lunar alternatives, though they are available through international dealers including BullionStar and regional specialists. The 999 fine silver purity meets standard bullion requirements, and each piece carries Emirates Gold's serial numbering and assay certification.

Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar Silver Coin Details

Emirates Gold's products meet the Dubai Good Delivery standard, which is recognised throughout the Gulf precious metals market. The company is not on the LBMA Good Delivery list, which limits international acceptance compared to products from PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, or sovereign mints. For resale purposes, this means buyback pricing may be less favourable outside the Middle East and South Asian dealer networks where Emirates Gold has strong brand recognition.

The Chinese zodiac cycle features twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year's design features the corresponding zodiac animal, with the Horse being a recent release. Exact dimensions and thickness specifications have not been publicly documented by Emirates Gold for this specific series.

Tax Position of Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar Coins

As privately minted pieces without legal tender status, Emirates Gold coins are treated as bullion products (bars or rounds) rather than sovereign coins for tax purposes in most jurisdictions. The tax treatment depends on the buyer's location and local rules for non-legal-tender precious metals.

• United Arab Emirates: No VAT on investment-grade precious metals in the UAE. The 5% VAT introduced in 2018 explicitly exempts investment gold and silver bullion. No capital gains tax exists in the UAE.
• United Kingdom: Silver bullion (both coins and bars) is subject to 20% VAT. Since these are not legal tender, they receive no special treatment beyond the standard silver bullion rules. Not CGT-exempt. Gold versions of Emirates Gold products are VAT-exempt as investment gold (purity 999.9 exceeds the 995 threshold).
• United States: No federal sales tax. State-level treatment varies. Since these are not government-issued coins, IRA eligibility is unlikely; IRS rules under Section 408(m) generally require government-minted coins for retirement accounts.
• Singapore: Silver at 99.9% purity in bar, ingot, coin, or wafer form qualifies for GST exemption under the Investment Precious Metals scheme, regardless of legal tender status. Coins on the MAS-approved list receive automatic qualification.
• Australia: GST-free if meeting the investment-grade definition (silver 99.9%+ in a form commonly traded on commodity markets). Private mint products meeting purity thresholds qualify.
• South Africa: Silver bullion is subject to 15% VAT regardless of origin. Only gold Krugerrands receive zero-rating.

Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar vs Other Lunar Programmes

The Chinese lunar coin market is dominated by two players. The People's Bank of China has issued zodiac coins since 1981 through the China Gold Coin Corporation (CHNGC), producing the oldest modern lunar series with strictly limited mintages, multiple shapes (round, scallop, fan), and strong collector premiums. The Perth Mint's Australian Lunar series (since 1996) offers .9999 purity and unlimited bullion-grade mintages alongside proof versions, making it the most accessible lunar programme for Western investors.

Emirates Gold's offering is positioned well below both in terms of brand recognition, collector following, and international liquidity. The primary advantages are availability in the Gulf market, Dubai Good Delivery certification, and the absence of UAE sales tax on precious metals. For buyers in the Middle East and South Asia, these coins offer zodiac-themed silver at bullion premiums without the markup associated with Perth Mint or CHNGC products.

The 1 oz PAMP Suisse Cross of Christianity represents a different approach to themed bullion from a Swiss refiner with full LBMA accreditation. PAMP's Veriscan authentication technology and global dealer network provide advantages that Emirates Gold cannot match outside its regional stronghold. For buyers who prioritise international resaleability over local availability, LBMA-accredited alternatives from PAMP or Valcambi are the stronger choice.

Against generic 1 oz silver rounds, the Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar carries a modest design premium for the zodiac artwork. Buyers who value the cultural significance of the zodiac cycle and plan to hold rather than trade frequently will find this acceptable. Those optimising for the lowest premium per ounce of silver should consider generic rounds or high-volume sovereign coins instead.