BullionStar US
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The Gold Bullion Company
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About the 1 oz Dragon Silver Coin
Dragon-Themed 1 oz Silver Coins
Dragon imagery is one of the most popular motifs in the silver bullion market, drawing on centuries of symbolism from both Eastern and Western traditions. The 1 oz dragon silver coin category spans products from multiple mints and countries, unified by the dragon theme but varying widely in design approach, issuing authority, and market positioning.
Scottsdale Mint produces the largest concentration of dragon-themed silver pieces in this weight class, with an extensive range of colourised 1 oz silver bars and coins featuring Chinese dragon designs. Each carries a distinct Chinese name and artistic interpretation, from the fiery Lièyàn (Blazing Fire) to the contemplative Jìng (Serenity). These are typically struck in .999 fine silver and sold through Scottsdale's direct channels.
The Royal Canadian Mint has contributed high-relief dragon coins, including the 2020 Dragon struck in .9999 fine silver, which commands collector premiums above standard bullion. Australian mints have produced dragon-themed pieces including colourised editions and the Dragon and Phoenix pairing. BullionStar has issued its own lunar series dragon rounds for 2024.
Dragon coins bridge Eastern and Western collecting traditions. In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolises power, prosperity, and good fortune, making dragon bullion particularly popular in Asian markets (Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China). In European numismatic tradition, the dragon appears as both adversary (St George and the Dragon on the Sovereign) and heraldic emblem. This dual cultural resonance gives dragon-themed bullion broader international appeal than most thematic designs.
Purity across the category ranges from .999 to .9999 fine silver, with most pieces at .999. Face values and legal tender status vary by issuing authority. Buyers should verify the specific coin's purity and issuing status, as these determine tax treatment and IRA eligibility.
Typical 1 oz Dragon Silver Coin Specifications
Because this product group encompasses dragon-themed coins from multiple mints, specifications vary by issue. The table below shows the most common parameters.
| Attribute | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1 troy oz (31.103 g) |
| Purity | .999 to .9999 fine silver |
| Diameter | 38-40 mm (standard 1 oz coin diameter) |
| Finish | BU, Colourised, High Relief (varies by issue) |
| Legal tender | Varies (some are sovereign coins, others are rounds) |
Scottsdale Mint's dragon bars are marketed as 1 oz silver pieces with colourised designs, struck in .999 fine silver. The Royal Canadian Mint's 2020 Dragon High Relief is .9999 fine with a limited mintage, making it a higher-purity option within the category. Perth Mint issues, including the Dragon and Phoenix and various lunar dragon releases, are typically .9999 fine silver as standard for Perth Mint bullion.
Colourised and special-finish editions are common in this category. The colourisation process applies selective colour printing to the coin's surface without affecting the underlying silver content or weight. These editions generally carry higher premiums than plain BU versions.
Dragon Silver Coin Tax Treatment by Country
Tax treatment for dragon-themed silver coins varies significantly depending on the specific coin's issuing authority, purity, and legal tender status. Buyers should verify these details for the specific issue they are purchasing.
United Kingdom
Silver coins are subject to 20% VAT on purchase. Only UK legal tender coins (Britannia, Sovereign, and related Royal Mint issues) are CGT-exempt on disposal. Dragon coins from non-UK mints are subject to CGT at the individual's rate. The pre-owned margin scheme may apply to second-hand purchases, reducing effective VAT to the dealer's margin.
United States
Silver at .999+ purity is IRA-eligible under IRS Section 408(m), provided the coin is issued by a sovereign government or produced by an approved refiner. Coins from the Royal Canadian Mint, Perth Mint, and other sovereign mints generally qualify. Private-mint rounds may not. Sales tax varies by state, with approximately 35 states exempting bullion. Capital gains are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28%.
Canada
Silver at 99.9%+ purity in coin or bar form is exempt from GST/HST. Both .999 and .9999 dragon coins meet this threshold.
Australia and New Zealand
Investment-grade silver (99.9%+ purity in Australia, 99.9%+ in New Zealand) is GST-free. Perth Mint dragon coins at .9999 purity qualify. Lower-purity rounds may not meet the New Zealand threshold depending on exact purity.
European Union
Silver coins are subject to standard VAT rates. The margin scheme (Differenzbesteuerung in Germany) may apply to pre-owned pieces, reducing the effective tax rate.
Singapore and Hong Kong
Singapore's IPM scheme covers silver at 99.9%+ purity on the MAS-approved list. Hong Kong has no sales tax, import duty, or capital gains tax on bullion. Both jurisdictions are significant markets for dragon-themed bullion given the cultural significance of the dragon in Chinese tradition.
Dragon Coins vs Other Themed and Sovereign Silver Bullion
Dragon-themed silver coins compete in two overlapping markets: the themed/collectible bullion segment and the standard 1 oz silver bullion market.
Against standard sovereign bullion like the 1 oz Silver Britannia or 1 oz Canadian Maple Leaf, dragon coins typically carry higher premiums per ounce of silver. The sovereign coins offer tighter bid-ask spreads, broader dealer recognition, and in some cases tax advantages (CGT exemption for the Britannia in the UK, IRA eligibility for the Maple Leaf in the US). Dragon coins appeal to buyers who value thematic design alongside metal content.
Within the dragon theme specifically, several competing products exist. PAMP Suisse produces the Good Luck Yellow Dragon and Lunar Legend Azure Dragon bars in gold, targeting the Asian gifting and investment market. The St George and the Dragon series from The Royal Mint offers a Western take on dragon imagery with the full backing of a sovereign mint. Lunar calendar series from the Perth Mint, Royal Mint, and Royal Canadian Mint include dragon-year releases on a 12-year cycle, with the most recent Year of the Dragon falling in 2024.
Colourised dragon coins from Scottsdale Mint offer the broadest selection of dragon designs at the 1 oz weight point, with numerous artistic variations available simultaneously. The tradeoff is that these are typically not sovereign legal tender and carry colourisation premiums that may not be fully recoverable on resale. For buyers focused on silver accumulation at the lowest premium, 1 oz silver coins from sovereign mints remain more cost-effective. Dragon coins serve the buyer who values the cultural symbolism and visual appeal of the design alongside the underlying silver content.
1 oz Dragon Silver Coin: frequently asked questions
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The cheapest 1oz Credit Suisse Silver Dragon coin tracked here is $71.27, about 9.1% over the $65.58 silver spot price. The cheapest dealer right now is BullionStar US. Comparing dealers before buying is worthwhile, as premiums on silver coins vary noticeably between retailers.
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This coin is currently trading at around 9.1% over the $65.58 silver spot price. Silver coins typically carry higher premiums than silver bars of the same weight, reflecting the additional cost of coin production and the branded design. Premiums fluctuate with supply and demand, so checking live prices across dealers is the best way to find a competitive rate.
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The Credit Suisse Silver Dragon is a 1 oz coin containing 999 fine silver, issued under the Credit Suisse brand by Credit Suisse. It features a dragon motif and carries no face value or legal tender status. It is a bullion coin valued for its fine silver content rather than as a collector piece.
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No specific mintage limit for the Credit Suisse Silver Dragon coin is documented in available sources. It is a bullion issue valued primarily for its silver content rather than scarcity. Buyers should note that Credit Suisse ceased bar and coin production following the UBS acquisition in 2023, so all available examples are from secondary market stock rather than new production.