Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Louisiana
Louisiana excludes platinum, gold and silver bullion from taxable tangible personal property, and numismatic coins up to $1,000. See what qualifies.
The short answer
Louisiana does not charge sales tax on platinum, gold or silver bullion that is valued solely on its precious-metal content, whether it is in coin or ingot form. There is no dollar threshold for that bullion exclusion. Numismatic coins are treated differently: a numismatic coin is excluded only if its sales price is no more than $1,000, or if it is sold at a national, statewide or multi-parish numismatic trade show.
What qualifies as exempt bullion
The exclusion sits in the definition of taxable “tangible personal property” in R.S. 47:301(16)(b)(ii). It covers platinum, gold or silver bullion valued solely upon its precious metal content, in coin or ingot form. Because the metal must be valued solely on content, a piece whose price depends on rarity, condition or collector demand is not bullion for this purpose. Palladium is not named in the exclusion.
Numismatic coins and the $1,000 line
Numismatic coins are covered only up to a sales price of $1,000. A numismatic coin sold for more than $1,000 outside a qualifying trade show is not covered by the exclusion. Separately, numismatic coins sold at a national, statewide or multi-parish numismatic trade show are excluded regardless of that $1,000 figure.
| Purchase | Louisiana sales tax treatment |
|---|---|
| Platinum, gold or silver bullion valued solely on metal content, coin or ingot form | Excluded, no dollar threshold |
| Numismatic coin priced at $1,000 or less | Excluded |
| Numismatic coin priced above $1,000, not at a qualifying trade show | Not covered by the exclusion |
| Numismatic coin sold at a national, statewide or multi-parish numismatic trade show | Excluded |
| Palladium | Not named in the exclusion |
Jewelry, local taxes and other details
The statute page does not address jewelry, and it does not set out a local sales tax rule for these items. The exclusion is in the current text of R.S. 47:301(16)(b)(ii). That section was last amended by Acts 2025, with effective dates of June 20 and July 1, 2025, and the exclusion remains in place. The statute page does not state a separate effective date for the exclusion itself.
For how precious metals are handled at the federal level, see sales tax on gold.
What buyers commonly get wrong
One common error is assuming every gold or silver coin is exempt. The exclusion for bullion turns on whether the item is valued solely on its precious-metal content; a numismatic coin is a separate category with its own $1,000 sales-price limit. A second error is treating the $1,000 figure as a threshold for bullion. It is not: the bullion exclusion has no dollar threshold, and the $1,000 line applies to numismatic coins. A third is overlooking the trade-show rule, which excludes numismatic coins sold at a national, statewide or multi-parish numismatic trade show even when the price is above $1,000. A fourth is assuming palladium is covered; it is not named in the exclusion.
Confirm before a large purchase
The rule was checked in October 2026 and can change with new legislation. Confirm the current treatment with the Louisiana Department of Revenue or the statute text before a large purchase. For how the rule applies to a specific transaction, consult a tax professional or your own preparer.
Official source: Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:301
Common questions
Does Louisiana charge sales tax on gold and silver bullion?
No. Platinum, gold or silver bullion valued solely on its precious-metal content, in coin or ingot form, is excluded from taxable tangible personal property, with no dollar threshold.
Are numismatic coins exempt from Louisiana sales tax?
Numismatic coins are excluded when the sales price is no more than $1,000, and also when sold at a national, statewide or multi-parish numismatic trade show. A numismatic coin sold for more than $1,000 outside a qualifying trade show is not covered.
Is there a dollar threshold for bullion in Louisiana?
No. The bullion exclusion has no dollar threshold. The $1,000 figure applies to numismatic coins, not to bullion.
Does the Louisiana exclusion cover palladium?
Palladium is not named in the exclusion, which lists platinum, gold and silver.
Read next
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Wisconsin Wisconsin exempts precious metal bullion that is at least 35% gold, silver, copper, platinum or palladium and marked or minted by weight, purity and content.
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Texas Texas exempts gold, silver and numismatic coins and platinum, gold or silver bullion from sales tax. No minimum purchase applies. Learn what qualifies.
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Iowa Iowa exempts coins, currency and bullion from sales tax under Iowa Code 423.3(91). No dollar threshold or purity test applies. Learn what qualifies.
- Gold Coins and Bars: How Form Affects Tax How the IRS treats gains on gold coins and bars, and why reporting thresholds differ by product and quantity. Rates for 2026, with statutory changes noted.
- Selling Gold: When It Is a Taxable Event Selling gold is a taxable event when there is a gain. Learn the rules for capital gains, collectibles rates, and exceptions like gifts and inheritance.