Released today, 2013 Year of the Snake Gold and Silver Proof Coins are offered by the Perth Mint in 99.99% pure gold or 99.9% pure silver.
They mark the annual debut of new collector products released as part of the Australian Lunar Series II program from the Perth Mint of Australia.
The newest proof coins are available in several different sizes as well as within three-coin sets. All of them feature the new 2013 Year of the Snake designs first unveiled last month as part of the associated Year of the Snake bullion coin series. (Read about the silver bullion coins here or learn about the gold bullion coins here.)
Shown on the reverse of the gold proof coins is a snake and bamboo design. It shows the curling image of a snake in the center with bamboo shoots to the right.
In addition to the inscription of "Year of the Snake," the Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mint mark may also be found on the reverse along with the Chinese character for ‘snake.’
A similar image is seen on the reverse of the silver proof coins. It depicts the snake curled around the branch of a tree along with the aforementioned reverse inscriptions also found on the gold coin.
Both the gold and silver proof coins from the Australian Lunar Series II program feature annually changing reverse designs that are emblematic of the twelve creatures found in the Chinese zodiac. These creatures include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Those born in the Year of the Snake are said to be intelligent, graceful, charming and independent. Along with the upcoming year of 2013, past snake affiliated annual periods include 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989 and 2001.
2013 Year of the Snake Gold Proof Coins
2013 Year of the Snake Gold Proof Coins are offered in three different sizes — 1 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/10 ounce.
In addition to the individually available coins, the Perth Mint has created a three-coin set which contains the trio of coins.
Specifications for 2013 Year of the Snake Gold Proof Coins
| 1 oz | 1/4 oz | 1/10 oz | |
| Mintage | 3,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Gold Content (Troy oz) | 1 | 0.25 | .10 |
| Face Value (AUD) | 100 | 25 | 15 |
| Fineness (% purity) | 99.99 | 99.99 | 99.99 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 31.112 | 7.777 | 3.111 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) | 39.34 | 22.60 | 18.60 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) | 2.50 | 2.20 | 2.00 |
The three-coin set is listed with a mintage of 3,000. The individual coins and the three-coin set come housed in an oval-shaped display case complete with a glossy timber-effect lid.
Each ships with an illustrated shipper and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
2013 Year of the Snake Silver Proof Coins
Four different 2013 Year of the Snake Silver Proof Coins are available from the Perth Mint. The four sizes include 1 kilo, 2 ounce, 1 ounce and 1/2 ounce.
The 1 kilo, 1 ounce and 1/2 ounce proof coins are sold separately. A three-coin set is also available containing the three smallest sizes, which means the 2 ounce coin is found just within the set.
Specifications for 2013 Year of the Snake Silver Proof Coins
| 1 kilo | 2 oz | 1 oz | 1/2 oz | |
| Mintage | 500 | 1,000 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Silver Content (Troy oz) | 32.151 | 2 | 1 | 0.50 |
| Face Value (AUD) | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0.50 |
| Fineness (% purity) | 99.9 | 99.9 | 99.9 | 99.9 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 1003.002 | 62.270 | 31.135 | 15.573 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) | 100.60 | 55.60 | 45.60 | 36.60 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) | 14.60 | 3.60 | 2.60 | 2.30 |
The maximum mintage for the three-coin set is only 1,000. Each coin and set comes in a Perth Mint display case with an illustrated shipper and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Individually sold gold and silver proof coins and the three-coin sets may be purchased directly from the Perth Mint of Australia.
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See additional Perth Mint product highlights from this site’s guide of Australian coins.
About the Perth Mint
The Perth Mint (www.perthmint.com.au) is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. It was Australia’s third branch of Britain’s Royal Mint when it opened in 1899 (the others being the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint, which are both now closed).
How much is the 1oz 2013 Year of the Snake Silver Coin worth in the U.S?