Important note: Occasionally, gold medals (such as the Tree of Life Ireland 1/10 oz) appear in this category. Medals are not legal tender and are subject to VAT – they are clearly marked as "incl. VAT" in the product listing. All standard bullion coins in this category are VAT-exempt.
History – How the 1/10 oz Became the Global Savings Standard
The modern fractional gold coin began with the Krugerrand in 1980, when South African Mint introduced 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz and 1/10 oz variants alongside the original 1 oz. The 1/10 oz proved the most popular fractional size globally – small enough for regular savings purchases, substantial enough to contain meaningful gold content (3.11 g).
All major mints followed: the Royal Canadian Mint (Maple Leaf 1/10 oz from 1982), the US Mint (American Eagle 1/10 oz from 1986), the Austrian Mint (Vienna Philharmonic 1/10 oz from 1989) and the Perth Mint (Kangaroo 1/10 oz from 1987). Today, the 1/10 oz is the world's best-selling fractional gold coin format by unit volume.
Key Facts
Feature
Detail
Fine weight
3.1103 g
Fineness
999.9/1,000 or 916.7/1,000 (series dependent)
Face value
Series-dependent (€10 / $5 / £10 / A$15)
VAT
Exempt – EU Investment Gold Directive (medals: VAT applies)
Is the 1/10 oz suitable for a monthly gold savings plan?
Yes – many investors purchase one or two 1/10 oz coins monthly to build a gold position incrementally. Once a larger budget is available, switching to 1/2 oz or 1 oz coins reduces premiums significantly.
Which 1/10 oz coin is the most liquid in Europe?
The Vienna Philharmonic 1/10 oz has the widest recognition across European dealers. The Maple Leaf 1/10 oz benefits from the laser security feature (from 2013). Both are immediately tradeable at any reputable dealer.
What is the difference between 22-carat (Eagle, Krugerrand) and 24-carat (Philharmonic, Maple Leaf)?
22-carat (916.7/1,000) coins contain the same fine gold content (3.1103 g) but are alloyed with silver and copper, making them more scratch-resistant. The fine gold content is state-guaranteed regardless of the alloy. Both types are VAT-exempt and carry identical buyback values per gram of fine gold.
