CGT-exempt gold & silver coins

Understand UK Capital Gains Tax on sterling legal-tender coins and browse gold and silver coins marked CGT-exempt in our catalogue. CGT and VAT are different taxes.

Bullion products

Only gold and silver coins explicitly marked CGT-exempt in our catalogue appear here.

When does the sterling-currency exemption apply?

HMRC treats coins as currency only if they are legal tender at acquisition or disposal. Sterling currency is exempt from UK Capital Gains Tax. HMRC specifically identifies post-1837 sovereigns and gold Britannias. A coin's metal, mint or name alone does not establish its tax status.

Foreign-currency coins, such as Krugerrands, do not receive the sterling-currency exemption. Coins that are not legal tender may instead fall under the chattels rules. This collection includes only gold and silver coins explicitly marked CGT-exempt in our product records; check the individual product and your circumstances before buying.

Gold and silver bars: tax is not automatic

Bars do not have the sterling-currency CGT exemption. That does not mean every bar disposal produces a tax bill. HMRC's chattels rules generally exempt a gain where gross disposal consideration for a single chattel is no more than £6,000. Special rules apply to sets of similar assets and disposals above that threshold.

Allowances, losses and individual circumstances can also affect the result. The £6,000 figure is a disposal-proceeds threshold, not a profit allowance. Seek tax advice rather than assuming all bars are taxable or all coins are exempt.

CGT exemption is not VAT exemption

Qualifying investment gold is normally VAT-exempt, subject to an option to tax. Bars and wafers must be at least 995/1000 pure and of a weight accepted by bullion markets. Gold coins have separate post-1800, minimum 900/1000 purity, legal-tender and price criteria. Not every gold product qualifies.

The investment-gold relief does not extend to ordinary retail silver coins or bars. UK retail silver is normally standard-rated, even where a sterling coin is CGT-exempt. Market and export arrangements can have different VAT treatment, so it is not correct to say every silver transaction always attracts VAT.

Scope and personal advice

This is general information about UK tax treatment of personal investments, not individual tax advice. It is not a blanket statement for traders, companies or investors subject to foreign tax rules. Tax law and your circumstances can change. Confirm treatment with a qualified tax adviser.

Sources and further reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every gold or silver coin CGT-exempt?

No. The UK sterling-currency exemption depends on legal-tender status at acquisition or disposal, not simply the metal, mint, name or series. Our collection uses explicit product eligibility records.

Does selling a gold or silver bar always mean CGT is due?

No. Bars have no sterling-currency exemption, but chattels relief, allowances, losses and individual circumstances may affect tax. The single-chattel £6,000 threshold refers to gross disposal proceeds; special rules apply to sets and larger disposals.

Can a CGT-exempt silver coin still attract VAT?

Yes. CGT and VAT are separate. Ordinary UK retail silver is normally standard-rated even when a sterling legal-tender coin is CGT-exempt. Qualifying investment gold has different VAT rules.