Zodiac Silver

Tokelau Signs of the Zodiac: Western Astrology on Legal Tender Silver

The Signs of the Zodiac series is a Tokelau-issued silver bullion coin programme covering all twelve western astrological signs. Carrying a $5 NZD face value as legal tender of Tokelau, a dependent territory of New Zealand, the coins are struck in .999 fine silver with a standard weight of one troy ounce. All twelve signs were released in the initial 2021 production year, with additional editions following in 2022 and 2024.

That release strategy is unusual. Most zodiac or themed series release one design per year, stretching a 12-piece set over a decade or more. The Tokelau series released the complete set at once, allowing buyers to acquire all twelve signs without waiting years for the final piece. Subsequent years have added variant finishes (antique, colourised) rather than new zodiac signs.

The series was initially an APMEX exclusive for the BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) versions, with APMEX holding distribution rights. Individual coins are now available from multiple bullion dealers. Tokelau does not have its own mint; the coins are struck by private mints under licence from the Tokelau government. The "Tokelau Mint" designation refers to the licensing authority rather than a physical facility.

For buyers who want western zodiac-themed silver at bullion-competitive premiums with legal tender backing, this series is one of very few options. The Chinese zodiac dominates the bullion market through the Perth Mint Lunar and similar programmes. Western astrological signs are far less represented in sovereign-backed coinage.

Signs of the Zodiac Coin Specifications

Available Finish Variants

• BU (Brilliant Uncirculated): Standard bullion finish with the lowest premium. The primary product for silver stackers looking for zodiac-themed coins at competitive pricing.
• Proof: Mirror fields with frosted devices, individual capsules, and certificates of authenticity. Limited to just 100 sets, making these among the lowest-mintage modern zodiac proof coins available.
• Antique: Artificially aged appearance creating a weathered patina, introduced from 2022 onward to broaden the product range.
• Colourised: Full-colour finish applied over the reverse design, limited to 100 sets. Introduced in 2024 in wooden presentation boxes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The obverse features the effigy of the monarch alongside the Tuluma, a traditional Tokelau wooden tackle box used by fishermen. This national symbol of Tokelau is a distinctive design element not found on any other bullion coin in production. The inscription "Tokelau mot e Atua" translates to "Tokelau for God," reflecting the territory's deeply Christian culture. Each reverse depicts the animal or figure associated with its zodiac sign, with the astrological symbol above the central figure and all twelve zodiac constellations arranged against a stylised night sky background around the border.

Tokelau Zodiac Tax Treatment by Country

As legal tender coins of Tokelau (a New Zealand territory) struck in .999 fine silver, the tax treatment follows each jurisdiction's rules for foreign silver bullion coins.

• United States: No federal sales tax. State exemptions vary. The .999 purity meets the IRS threshold for silver in precious metals IRAs (99.9%), and the legal tender status from a recognised territory supports IRA eligibility with approved custodians.
• United Kingdom: Silver coins carry 20% VAT on purchase. Pre-owned coins may be available under the margin scheme (VAT on dealer's margin only). Tokelau coins are not UK legal tender, so no CGT exemption applies.
• New Zealand: Subject to 15% GST. Tokelau is a dependent territory administered under the Tokelau Act 1948, with its coins denominated in NZD.
• Australia: Subject to 10% GST unless the coin qualifies as investment-grade precious metal at 99.9% silver purity.
• Canada: The .999 purity meets the 99.9% threshold for the federal GST/HST exemption on investment-grade precious metals.
• Singapore: The .999 purity meets the IPM threshold (99.9% for silver). Coins on the MAS-approved list are GST-exempt.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.
• EU: Silver coins are subject to local VAT rates (17-27%). Margin scheme may apply in some countries on pre-owned stock.

Tokelau Zodiac vs Other Zodiac and Themed Silver Coins

The most direct comparison is with the Monarch Precious Metals Zodiac rounds. Both cover the twelve western astrological signs. The Tokelau coins carry legal tender status and .999 purity; the Monarch rounds are private mint products with .999+ purity and an antique ultra high relief finish. The Tokelau series has the advantage on tax treatment and potential IRA eligibility, while the Monarch rounds offer a more distinctive physical product with their antique finish and hand-polished relief.

The Austrian Mint's "In the Stars" series covers the same twelve western signs but in a very different format: .925 sterling silver at proof quality with gemstone inlays, 30,000 mintage, and a 20 Euro face value. The Austrian coins are priced as collector pieces well above melt value. The Tokelau BU coins are priced as bullion with modest premiums, making the two series complementary rather than competitive.

Against Chinese zodiac series, the Tokelau coins occupy a different thematic space entirely. The Perth Mint Lunar series dominates the zodiac bullion market with .9999 purity, uncapped mintages, multiple weight options, and decades of collector following. The Tokelau series cannot match the Lunar's liquidity or secondary market depth, but it serves buyers who want western astrology rather than Chinese zodiac animals.

For pure bullion value, standard sovereign coins like the Silver Maple Leaf or Silver Britannia offer lower premiums and deeper liquidity. The Tokelau Zodiac appeals to buyers who want themed silver with legal tender backing at a competitive price point. The proof and colourised editions (100-set mintages) occupy the collector end, where scarcity rather than metal content drives pricing.