1 oz PAMP Suisse Lunar Silver Round

Swiss Refinery Silver Meets Chinese Zodiac Tradition

The 1 oz PAMP Suisse Lunar silver round combines LBMA-accredited Swiss refining with annually changing Chinese zodiac designs. PAMP (Produits Artistiques Metaux Precieux) has produced two distinct zodiac cycles: the Lunar Calendar Series running from 2012 to 2023, and the Lunar Legend Series from 2024 onward. Each year's release features the corresponding zodiac animal in .999 fine silver, sealed in PAMP's distinctive red CertiPAMP tamper-evident assay card with an individual serial number.

The practical appeal for silver buyers is the combination of recognised refinery provenance and collectible annual designs. PAMP bars from 2017 onward include Veriscan anti-counterfeiting technology, which maps the microscopic surface topography of each piece and allows verification through a smartphone app without opening the sealed packaging. This level of authentication is uncommon in the silver round market, where most products rely solely on weight and purity for verification.

Compared to generic silver rounds, the PAMP Lunar carries a higher premium reflecting both the Swiss refinery brand and the themed design. Buyers who prioritise lowest cost per ounce of silver should look at unbranded rounds. Those who value authentication technology, presentation packaging, and annual collectibility will find the premium justified, particularly for gift-giving around Chinese New Year.

PAMP Lunar Silver Round Specifications

Design Cycles

The Lunar Calendar Series (2012-2023) depicted the twelve zodiac animals directly, beginning with Dragon and ending with Rabbit. Design approaches varied across the cycle: some years featured single animals, others showed adult-and-young pairings (2015 Goat, 2018 Dog, 2019 Pig), and the 2017 Rooster introduced a distinctive cliff-edge perspective.

The Lunar Legend Series (2024 onward) retells the mythological stories behind each zodiac animal rather than simply depicting them. The 2024 Azure Dragon drew from guardian mythology, and the 2025 White Snake illustrated the tale of Bai Suzhen. Each release in the Legend series features more elaborate, narrative-driven artwork compared to the original Calendar series.

Tax Position for PAMP Lunar Silver Rounds

Silver rounds from PAMP Suisse receive the same tax treatment as any other silver bullion product. The round format and private mint origin confer no special tax advantages in any jurisdiction.

• United Kingdom: 20% VAT applies on purchase. No CGT exemption (not legal tender). PAMP silver rounds carry both entry and exit tax burdens, making them a poor choice for UK buyers focused on tax efficiency. The 1 oz Silver Britannia offers CGT exemption as UK legal tender.
• United States: No federal sales tax. State sales tax varies; approximately 35 states exempt silver bullion. Capital gains taxed at the 28% collectibles rate for holdings over one year. IRA eligibility is likely given .999 purity, though round format rather than coin may complicate custodian acceptance.
• Canada: GST/HST exempt at .999 purity in bar/ingot/coin/wafer form. Rounds from LBMA-accredited refineries should qualify.
• Australia: GST-free when meeting the investment-grade definition (.999+ purity from an accredited refiner). Subject to CGT with 50% discount for holdings over 12 months.
• European Union: Standard VAT applies to silver (17-27% depending on country). Some countries offer margin scheme on pre-owned silver.
• Singapore: GST-exempt under the Investment Precious Metals scheme for silver at .999+ purity from accredited sources.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.

PAMP Lunar vs Other Silver Rounds and Lunar-Themed Products

The PAMP Lunar occupies a specific niche: branded, authenticated silver with annually changing zodiac themes. How it compares depends on whether the buyer prioritises metal cost, authentication, or collectibility.

Against generic silver rounds (Buffalo, Walking Liberty), the PAMP Lunar costs significantly more per ounce. A generic .999 round might carry a 5-8% premium over spot; the PAMP Lunar carries substantially more due to the Swiss brand, CertiPAMP packaging, and Veriscan technology. For pure silver accumulation, generics deliver more metal per pound spent.

Against the 1 oz Perth Mint Lunar silver round, the comparison turns on legal tender status and secondary market liquidity. Perth Lunar coins are Australian legal tender with a $1 AUD face value, carry the Perth Mint's micro-laser security engraving, and have wider dealer recognition globally. The Perth Mint Lunar also uses .9999 fine silver (from Series III onward), compared to PAMP's .999. Perth Lunar coins are better for pure investment; PAMP Lunar bars offer superior packaging for presentation and gifting.

Against the 1 oz PAMP Lunar gold bar, the silver version shares the same design aesthetic and packaging at a fraction of the price point. The gold version is .9999 fine (four nines) compared to silver's .999, and gold is VAT-exempt in the UK and EU, removing a significant cost barrier that the silver version carries.

The Veriscan authentication system is PAMP's strongest differentiator. No other silver round offers smartphone-verifiable authenticity that works through sealed packaging. For buyers concerned about secondary market counterfeiting risk, this technology provides measurable security that weight-and-dimensions testing alone cannot match.