1/2 oz Chinese Lunar Silver Round

The Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar 1/2 oz Silver Round

The 1/2 oz Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar silver round combines the twelve-year Chinese zodiac cycle with the half-ounce fractional format. Produced by Emirates Gold, a Dubai-based refiner and mint, these rounds bring the lunar zodiac theme to a weight point that sits between the smallest fractional pieces and the standard one-ounce format.

Chinese lunar zodiac coins and rounds have a long history in the precious metals market. China began minting zodiac coins in 1981 through the People's Bank of China, and the theme has since been adopted by mints worldwide, from the Perth Mint's Lunar series to the Royal Mint's Shengxiao collection. Emirates Gold's version targets the Middle Eastern and Asian markets where the Chinese zodiac holds cultural significance and where Dubai's position as a precious metals trading hub gives local products strong distribution advantages.

At .999 fine silver and 15.55 grams, these rounds offer exposure to the lunar zodiac collecting theme at a lower entry point than the standard 1oz silver rounds that dominate the market. The fractional weight makes them accessible for gift-giving during Chinese New Year celebrations, when demand for zodiac-themed precious metals traditionally peaks. Each year in the cycle features a different animal from the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar Specifications

Emirates Gold operates as both a refiner and a mint from its base in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The company produces a range of precious metal products including bars, coins, and rounds for distribution across the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. Their Chinese Lunar series follows the standard twelve-year zodiac rotation, with each annual release featuring that year's corresponding animal.

As a private mint product, these rounds carry no face value and no legal tender status in any jurisdiction. Authentication relies on weight verification, dimension checks, and the Emirates Gold hallmark stamped on each piece. The .999 purity meets the investment-grade threshold recognised in most jurisdictions for tax-exempt precious metals purchases.

Tax Treatment for the Emirates Gold Chinese Lunar Round

As a private mint silver round with no legal tender status, the tax treatment depends on the buyer's jurisdiction and the local rules for investment-grade silver.

• United Arab Emirates: No VAT on investment-grade silver bullion. No capital gains tax. No import duty. Dubai's tax-free status makes it one of the most favourable jurisdictions globally for bullion purchases.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme if meeting 99.9% purity from a qualifying refiner. Emirates Gold's LBMA membership status affects qualification.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax on bullion.
• United Kingdom: Subject to 20% VAT on silver. No CGT exemption (not legal tender). Standard capital gains rules apply on disposal.
• United States: State sales tax varies. Private mint rounds may not qualify for IRA inclusion through all custodians, as IRS rules require coins from national mints or bars from approved refiners.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt if purity meets the 99.9% threshold, regardless of the minting source.
• Australia: GST-free if meeting 99.9% purity from a recognised source in a form traded on commodity markets.