1/10 oz Royal Arms Gold Coin

A Fractional Entry into CGT-Free Heraldic Gold

The 1/10 oz Royal Arms gold coin offers one of the most affordable ways to acquire CGT-exempt gold from The Royal Mint. Struck in 999.9 fine gold with a face value of GBP 10, it carries full UK legal tender status, which means gold Capital Gains Tax exemption for UK residents on any future profit. That is a meaningful advantage at a price point accessible to most buyers.

The reverse features Timothy Noad's heraldic interpretation of the Royal coat of arms, with the quartered shield of England, Scotland, and Ireland surrounded by the leek, shamrock, Tudor rose, and thistle representing the four home nations. Noad is one of the UK's foremost heraldic artists, and the design carries authentic heraldic credibility rather than a generic rendering. The background radial line pattern serves both as a visual element and as a security measure, making precise counterfeiting difficult.

Introduced in 2019, the Royal Arms series was designed as a bullion-focused complement to the Gold Britannia range. Both share the same tax advantages for UK buyers, but the Royal Arms trades at slightly lower premiums, making this 1/10 oz coin particularly competitive for cost-conscious fractional gold purchases. The 2025 edition has been announced as the design's "final appearance," raising questions about whether a new design will follow or the series will conclude entirely.

For buyers outside the UK, the coin qualifies as investment gold across the EU (VAT-exempt under Directive 98/80/EC) and meets IRA purity requirements in the US. Its .9999 fineness also satisfies the thresholds for GST-free treatment in Australia and Canada.

1/10 oz Royal Arms Gold Coin Specifications

The 1/10 oz is the smaller of the two gold denominations in the Royal Arms range, sitting alongside the 1 oz Royal Arms. The coin's dimensions place it in the same class as other 1/10 oz sovereign mint coins, roughly 16-17mm in diameter. At 999.9 fineness, the gold is extremely soft and marks easily; handling by edges only and storage in capsules or mint packaging is recommended.

At 3.11 grams, the 1/10 oz weighs roughly the same as a small paperclip. The coin is typically sold in individual capsules or flip holders; no standard tube packaging is used at this size. As .9999 gold, the metal is exceptionally soft and will mark if coins make contact with each other or hard surfaces. The radial line background on the reverse, designed by Timothy Noad, provides both visual depth and a degree of anti-counterfeiting protection through its precise spacing.

Royal Arms 1/10 oz Tax Treatment by Country

The Royal Arms gold coin's UK legal tender status and high purity create a favourable tax position across most major markets.

United Kingdom

Gold Royal Arms coins are VAT-free as investment gold and CGT-exempt as UK legal tender denominated in sterling. This double exemption applies to all Royal Mint bullion coins including the Britannia, Sovereign, and Tudor Beasts ranges. The annual CGT allowance is GBP 3,000 (2025/26), but legal tender coins are exempt regardless of gain size, making them particularly valuable for larger positions.

United States

The .9999 purity meets IRS requirements for precious metals IRAs (minimum .995 for gold). The coin must be held by an IRS-approved custodian. Capital gains on physical gold are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28% federal, plus potential 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax. State sales tax varies; over 35 states exempt bullion purchases.

European Union

VAT-exempt across all EU member states under the investment gold directive (Directive 98/80/EC). The coin qualifies as a post-1800 legal tender coin of 900+ thousandths purity sold within 80% of melt value. In Germany, capital gains are tax-free if the coin is held for more than one year.

Canada

GST/HST exempt as gold of 99.5%+ purity in coin form. Capital gains are taxable at the standard 50% inclusion rate. The coin meets purity requirements for RRSP eligibility through approved custodians.

Australia

GST-free as investment-grade gold (99.5%+ purity). Capital gains tax applies on disposal, with a 50% CGT discount available for individuals holding longer than 12 months.

Singapore and Hong Kong

No GST on investment precious metals in Singapore (coins of 99.5%+ purity qualifying as IPM). Hong Kong has no sales tax, no import duty, and no capital gains tax on bullion.

1/10 oz Royal Arms vs Other Fractional Gold Coins

At the 1/10 oz weight, the Royal Arms competes against fractional offerings from every major sovereign mint. The primary differentiator for UK buyers is straightforward: the Royal Arms is one of only a handful of 1/10 oz gold coins that carries CGT exemption. The 1/10 oz Britannia shares this advantage and is the more recognised coin internationally, but the Royal Arms typically trades at slightly lower premiums, making it a cost-effective alternative for investors focused on tax efficiency rather than brand recognition.

Against the 1/10 oz Canadian Maple Leaf, the Royal Arms matches on purity (.9999) but lacks the Maple Leaf's Bullion DNA digital authentication system. The Maple Leaf is more widely recognised globally and has tighter resale spreads in North American markets. For UK buyers, the CGT exemption on the Royal Arms more than compensates for these differences; for non-UK buyers, the Maple Leaf is generally the stronger choice at this weight.

The 1/10 oz Australian Kangaroo offers the same .9999 purity with annually changing designs that add mild collectible appeal. The Kangaroo carries slightly higher premiums than the Royal Arms and has no UK tax advantage. It is IRA-eligible in the US.

The 1/10 oz Krugerrand and 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle are both 22-carat (.9167) coins. They contain the same amount of fine gold (3.11g) but in a heavier, more durable alloy. Neither carries CGT exemption in the UK. The American Eagle benefits from a specific IRA exemption despite its lower purity; the Krugerrand is not IRA-eligible. In New Zealand, both 22-carat coins attract 15% GST, giving .9999 coins like the Royal Arms a clear advantage.

Premiums on all 1/10 oz gold coins are high relative to larger denominations, typically ranging from 8-18% over spot. At this weight, the fixed manufacturing costs per coin are spread over just 3.11 grams of gold. Buyers accumulating larger positions will find significantly better value in 1/4 oz or 1 oz denominations, where premiums drop substantially.