2 oz Monarch Precious Metals Zodiac Silver Round

The 2 oz Monarch Precious Metals Zodiac Silver Round

The Zodiac series from Monarch Precious Metals covers all twelve Western zodiac signs in .999+ fine silver with an antique finish and ultra high relief striking. The 2 oz version extends the series beyond its original 1 oz format, providing a larger canvas for the intricate astrological designs while maintaining the same hand-polished antique finishing that gives each round an aged, archaic appearance.

Monarch Precious Metals is a family-owned private mint founded in 2008, originally as Oregon Coin and Jewelry in the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon before relocating to Phoenix, Oregon. The company began with a small jewelry-store induction melter, hand-pouring and hand-stamping silver bars with individual letter stamps, before growing into a recognised producer of struck rounds and poured silver.

The obverse design is common across all signs: a combined sun and moon face superimposed on each other, set among stars, with weight and purity inscriptions. Each reverse features the corresponding zodiac sign's symbol surrounded by intricate detailing, including a ring showing all twelve signs around the border. The date range for each sign is inscribed on the reverse.

The antique finish is applied deliberately during production, giving each round an ancient artifact aesthetic that complements the astrological theme. Combined with the hand-polishing that highlights the ultra high relief details, the visual presentation sits distinctly apart from the bright, mirror-finish standard of most bullion products. The series has found a secondary market as personalised gifts, where buyers select the recipient's birth sign.

Monarch Zodiac 2 oz Round Specifications

The obverse common to all signs features a combined sun and moon face superimposed on each other, set among stars, with the metal weight and purity inscribed. Each reverse depicts the corresponding zodiac sign's symbol surrounded by intricate detailing, with a ring showing all twelve signs of the zodiac around the border and the sign's date range inscribed.

The ultra high relief striking requires greater tonnage and slower press speeds than standard bullion production. Combined with individual hand polishing after striking, the manufacturing process is more labour-intensive than standard rounds, which contributes to a modest premium above generic bullion. The antique finish is applied deliberately through a chemical patination process that gives each round an aged appearance, enhancing the archaic aesthetic.

Authentication relies on the inherent difficulty of counterfeiting ultra high relief designs rather than any embedded security technology. No holograms, micro-text, or proprietary verification systems are included. Weight and dimension testing remain the primary authentication methods for secondary market purchases.

Monarch Zodiac Round Tax and IRA Status

Monarch Precious Metals rounds are not IRA-eligible. The IRS requires silver IRA holdings to come from a COMEX/NYMEX-approved refiner or a national government mint, and Monarch Precious Metals does not carry this approval. Buyers building a precious metals IRA should look to sovereign coins or rounds from approved refiners like Sunshine Minting.

For US buyers outside retirement accounts, the standard 28% collectibles rate applies to long-term capital gains (holdings exceeding one year). Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income. The Net Investment Income Tax of 3.8% may also apply. Sales tax treatment varies by state, with approximately 35 states exempting precious metals bullion from sales tax regardless of the issuer or form.

UK and EU buyers face the standard silver treatment: 20% VAT in the UK, local rates across the EU (17-27%), with no CGT exemption available since these are not legal tender. In the UK, both VAT on purchase and CGT on disposal apply, making the total tax burden on silver rounds significant compared to CGT-exempt gold Britannias or Sovereigns.

Canadian buyers benefit from GST/HST exemption at .999+ purity regardless of the issuer. Australian buyers may qualify for GST exemption provided the product meets the investment-grade definition of .999+ purity silver in bar, ingot, coin, or wafer form.

Monarch Zodiac 2 oz vs Other Zodiac Silver Products

The primary alternative zodiac-themed silver product is the 2 oz Tokelau Signs of the Zodiac, which carries sovereign coin status as legal tender of Tokelau (a New Zealand territory) with a $5 NZD face value. The Tokelau version is .999 silver in a standard BU finish, offering legal tender advantages (potential IRA eligibility, sovereign backing) at the cost of the artistic distinction that the Monarch's antique hand-polished UHR finish provides.

Against the 1 oz Monarch Zodiac round, the 2 oz version provides a larger surface for the design details but at a proportionally higher entry point. The 1 oz version is available from more dealers and trades more actively on the secondary market. The 5 oz Monarch Zodiac round takes the design to an even larger scale for collectors who prioritise visual impact.

Compared to generic silver rounds at the same weight, the Monarch Zodiac commands a modest premium for the specialty design and antique finishing. Buyers focused purely on silver accumulation at minimum cost will find lower-premium alternatives in products like the 2 oz Walking Liberty round, which trades with minimal markup above melt value.