UOB Lunar Bar 2025: Snake Year Guide
The UOB Lunar Bar series combines investment-grade gold with stunning zodiac artistry. This comprehensive guide covers the 2025 Year of the Snake design, pricing, availability, and whether lunar bars are worth the premium for Singapore investors.
What Are UOB Lunar Bars?
UOB Lunar Bars are special edition gold bars manufactured by ARGOR-Heraeus, one of Switzerland's premier refineries. Each year features a new Chinese zodiac animal design, making them both an investment vehicle and a collectible piece celebrating Asian heritage.
Like all UOB gold products, Lunar Bars are 999.9 purity (24 karat) and qualify for Singapore's GST exemption on Investment Precious Metals. They carry the same gold content value as standard bars, plus an artistic premium.
2025 Year of the Snake Lunar Bar
The 2025 Lunar Bar features the Year of the Snake (蛇年), which runs from January 29, 2025 to February 16, 2026 in the Chinese calendar. The Snake represents wisdom, intuition, and elegance in Chinese astrology.
Design Features
- Front: Detailed snake design with traditional Chinese artistic elements
- Back: ARGOR-Heraeus refinery markings, weight, purity (999.9), and unique serial number
- Packaging: Sealed in tamper-evident assay card with certificate
- Available Sizes: Typically 1g, 5g, 10g, 20g, 50g, and 100g at UOB
Who Should Consider the 2025 Snake Lunar Bar?
- People born in Snake years (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)
- Parents welcoming babies in 2025
- Collectors completing their zodiac series
- Gift-givers for Chinese New Year, weddings, or birthdays
- Investors who appreciate artistic gold with collectible potential
UOB Lunar Bar Pricing
Lunar bars carry a premium over standard cast or minted bars due to their limited annual production and collectible appeal. Here's what to expect:
Premium Over Standard Bars
| Bar Type | Typical Premium Over Spot |
|---|---|
| ARGOR-Heraeus Cast Bar | 1.5-3% |
| PAMP Suisse Minted Bar | 2-4% |
| ARGOR-Heraeus Lunar Bar | 3-6% |
The additional 1-3% premium for Lunar bars reflects manufacturing costs for the detailed zodiac design and limited production runs. Whether this premium is "worth it" depends on your investment goals and appreciation for the artistic element.
Current Pricing (Check Live Rates)
Visit ILoveUOBGold.com for current UOB gold prices including Lunar bar pricing when available. Prices update throughout the trading day based on international spot gold movements.
Where to Buy UOB Lunar Bars
UOB Lunar Bars are available at UOB branches with bullion counters in Singapore. Key locations include:
- UOB Main Branch - 80 Raffles Place, UOB Plaza
- UOB Orchard - 1 Orchard Boulevard
- Selected suburban branches - Check with UOB for current availability
Availability Considerations
Lunar bars have limited annual production. Key timing considerations:
- New designs typically arrive before Chinese New Year (January/February)
- Popular sizes (10g, 50g) may sell out during peak gifting seasons
- Previous year designs may still be available but stock varies
- Call ahead to confirm stock before visiting, especially for specific sizes
Lunar Bars vs Standard Gold Bars
When Lunar Bars Make Sense
- Gifting: The zodiac design adds meaningful cultural significance
- Birth year commemoration: A special way to mark the year of birth
- Collection building: Completing all 12 zodiac animals over time
- Long-term holding: Collector premium may increase over decades
When Standard Bars Are Better
- Pure investment focus: Lower premiums mean better value per gram
- Shorter holding periods: Collector premium may not be recovered
- Large quantities: Premium difference compounds significantly
- Maximum liquidity: Standard bars are more universally recognized
The Complete Zodiac Cycle
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle. Building a complete collection takes commitment but creates a unique gold portfolio:
- Rat (鼠) - 2020, 2032
- Ox (牛) - 2021, 2033
- Tiger (虎) - 2022, 2034
- Rabbit (兔) - 2023, 2035
- Dragon (龙) - 2024, 2036
- Snake (蛇) - 2025, 2037
- Horse (马) - 2026, 2038
- Goat (羊) - 2027, 2039
- Monkey (猴) - 2028, 2040
- Rooster (鸡) - 2029, 2041
- Dog (狗) - 2030, 2042
- Pig (猪) - 2031, 2043
Most Sought-After Zodiac Years
In Asian markets, certain zodiac animals command stronger collector interest:
- Dragon (龙): Most auspicious, often sells out quickly
- Tiger (虎): Symbol of power and courage
- Horse (马): Represents success and freedom
That said, all zodiac bars retain full gold investment value regardless of animal—collector premiums are secondary to the underlying gold content.
Investment Considerations
Advantages of Lunar Bars
- Same gold purity as standard investment bars (999.9)
- GST-exempt under Singapore's IPM rules
- Cultural significance adds gifting and sentimental value
- Limited production creates potential scarcity value
- ARGOR-Heraeus quality from a top-tier Swiss refiner
Considerations
- Higher premium than standard bars (3-6% vs 1.5-3%)
- Collector market needed to recover design premium on resale
- Niche appeal may limit buyer pool compared to standard bars
- Premium varies by zodiac animal and remaining stock
Selling and Buyback
When selling Lunar bars, you have several options:
Selling Back to UOB
UOB buys back Lunar bars at their standard gold buyback rate (Bank Buy price). They typically don't pay extra for the zodiac design—you receive the gold content value. This makes Lunar bars equivalent to standard bars for bank buyback purposes.
Selling to Collectors
To recover the design premium, consider:
- Private sales to collectors seeking specific zodiac years
- Specialized dealers who cater to collector markets
- Online platforms where collectors actively search for lunar designs
Keep original packaging and certificates to maximize collector value.
How to Buy Your First Lunar Bar
- Check availability: Call UOB or check with branches for current Lunar bar stock
- Choose your size: 10g-50g bars offer good balance of premium and value
- Visit during off-peak hours: Less waiting at bullion counters
- Bring identification: NRIC or passport required for purchase
- Inspect packaging: Ensure sealed assay card is intact
- Store securely: Safe deposit box or home safe recommended
Conclusion: Are Lunar Bars Worth It?
UOB Lunar Bars are an excellent choice if you:
- Appreciate the cultural and artistic significance of zodiac designs
- Plan to gift gold for special occasions
- Want to commemorate birth years with meaningful keepsakes
- Are building a long-term collection with patience for collector premiums
For pure investment efficiency, standard ARGOR-Heraeus cast bars or PAMP Suisse minted bars offer better value per gram. But gold investment isn't purely about numbers—Lunar bars add meaning, tradition, and beauty that standard bars simply cannot match.
Whatever you choose, all UOB gold bars share the same foundation: 999.9 purity, GST exemption, and the security of purchasing from Singapore's trusted banking institution.