Guardian Lions Silver

Perth Mint's Double Pixiu Coin

The Guardian Lions series from the Perth Mint features a pair of Pixiu, mythical Chinese creatures associated with wealth and fortune. First issued in 2020 as a silver bullion coin, the series expanded to gold in 2021 before apparently concluding. The coins were designed by Ing Ing Jong, a Perth Mint artist specialising in Asian-themed designs, and were initially distributed exclusively through Hong Kong dealer LPM (Lee Precious Metals), reflecting their deliberate positioning toward East Asian collectors and investors.

The Double Pixiu design distinguishes this series from more common single-creature formats. In Chinese mythology, a paired Pixiu represents both wealth attraction and wealth protection. The male (depicted grasping an embroidered ball, symbolising supremacy) and the female (restraining a cub, symbolising nurture) are seated on a mound of traditional Chinese coins, framed by an ornamental oriental border. This iconography carries deep cultural significance in Chinese tradition, where the Pixiu is believed to devour gold, silver, and jewels but never expel them, making it a symbol of wealth accumulation and preservation.

The 1 oz silver Guardian Lions coin was struck in .9999 fine silver (four nines), matching the purity standard Perth Mint applies across its bullion range. With a mintage of 50,000 for the silver bullion version, it sits between the mass-production volumes of the Lunar Series III (300,000+) and the micro-mintage territory of Perth Mint's proof-only releases.

Guardian Lions Coin Specifications

The broader series included a 2 oz silver proof (mintage 1,000), a 1 oz gold BU (mintage 5,000 at .9999 fine gold with a $100 AUD face value), and a 2 oz gold proof (mintage 250 at .9999 gold with a $250 AUD face value and a 36.6 mm diameter). The gold proof is among the most exclusive Perth Mint modern issues. Only the 1 oz silver bullion version is widely traded on the secondary market; the proof and gold editions command significant numismatic premiums.

All versions are Australian legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, providing government-guaranteed weight and purity.

Security and Authentication

• Micro-laser engraving: A Perth Mint security feature visible only under magnification, present on the bullion versions
• Perth Mint "P" mintmark: Standard Perth Mint authentication mark
• Legal tender status: Government-guaranteed weight and purity under Australian law
• .9999 purity: Four-nines purity is easily verified via specific gravity testing, and exceeds the .999 standard used by most silver bullion products

Tax Status of Guardian Lions Coins

The Guardian Lions coins are Australian legal tender with nominal face values, which grants them specific tax treatment in several jurisdictions.

Australia

Gold versions are GST-free as investment-grade precious metals (.9999 purity in coin form from a government mint). The silver bullion versions are subject to 10% GST under standard rules, though the investment-grade exemption may apply depending on the specific transaction structure.

United States

The .9999 silver purity exceeds the IRS Section 408(m) requirement of 99.9% for silver held in a precious metals IRA. State sales tax treatment varies, with roughly 35 states exempting precious metals entirely.

United Kingdom

The gold versions qualify as investment gold under HMRC rules (legal tender coins of 900+ fineness) and are VAT-free. Silver versions carry the standard 20% VAT. Australian legal tender coins are not CGT-exempt in the UK, as that exemption is reserved for UK Royal Mint coins such as Britannias and Sovereigns.

Hong Kong and Singapore

No sales tax applies to investment precious metals in either jurisdiction. Given the Guardian Lions' explicit positioning toward Asian markets and its initial LPM distribution, these are natural markets for the series. Singapore's Investment Precious Metals (IPM) scheme exempts gold of 99.5%+ purity and silver of 99.9%+ purity from the 9% GST.

Canada

Silver coins meeting the 99.9% purity threshold are GST/HST-exempt. The .9999 purity qualifies comfortably.

Pixiu Mythology and the Double Guardian Design

The Pixiu (also called Pi Yao) is a mythical Chinese hybrid creature combining a dragon's head with a lion's body. The creature's origin story is central to its symbolism: according to Chinese mythology, the Pixiu violated a law of Heaven and was punished by the Jade Emperor, who sealed its rectum permanently. Because the Pixiu could eat gold, silver, and jewels but never expel them, it became an enduring symbol of wealth accumulation. Chinese families and businesses have placed Pixiu statues at doorways for centuries to attract fortune and guard against its loss.

The broader category of Chinese Guardian Lions (sometimes called Foo Dogs in the West, though this is a misnomer) originated in Chinese Buddhism. Paired lions have guarded the entrances to palaces, temples, tombs, and homes throughout Chinese history, with the male lion (identified by the ball under his paw) protecting the structure itself and the female lion (identified by the cub) protecting those inside.

Perth Mint's Double Pixiu coin captures both creatures in this traditional pairing, designed by Ing Ing Jong. The coin fits within Perth Mint's broader programme of Asian-culture-themed bullion, which also includes the long-running Lunar series, the Dragon and Phoenix series (2017-2020), and various dragon-themed releases. This programme reflects the substantial Chinese and East Asian demand for precious metals, a market Perth Mint has cultivated through designs that carry genuine cultural resonance rather than generic imagery.

The initial exclusive distribution through LPM in Hong Kong was unusual for Perth Mint and underscored the Asian-market-first strategy. The coin later became available through international dealers including JM Bullion, Silver Gold Bull, and APMEX.