The Perth Mint of Australia has released the 2013 Australian Year of the Snake Five Ounce Silver Proof Coin as another offering in its popular Lunar Series II program.
This proof coin is from five ounces of .999 fine silver and features the Perth Mint’s annual Year of the Snake design. Mintage of the release is 5,000.
The Australian Lunar Series II launched in 2008, though the original Lunar Series I debuted nine years earlier in 1999. Both programs celebrate the twelve creatures of the Chinese zodiac with reverse designs emblematic of a rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. As 2013 is the Year of the Snake under the zodiac, a likeness of the reptile is depicted on this newest proof coin.
The snake design was unveiled last September by the Perth Mint with the release of the 2013 Year of the Snake Silver Bullion Coins. These bullion coins encompass several different sizes to include a 10 kilo, 1 kilo, 10 ounce, 5 ounce, 2 ounce, 1 ounce, and a one-half ounce. The design has also appeared on multiple numismatic releases since then with high relief, gilded, colored, and gemstone editions.
Perth Mint artist Ing Ing Jong is responsible for the design. She created the image after a local zoo visit for inspiration.
"I reflected my experience by portraying the patience and charming nature of the snake," commented Ing Ing Jong. "I particularly enjoyed showing the calmness and control of the animal. The design best reflects a traditional Chinese style of painting where the snake blends in to its natural environment."
Her design depicts the reptile hanging from the branch of a tree. To the right, the Chinese character for ‘snake’ is shown along with a ‘P’ for the Perth Mint’s mint mark. Inscribed below the design is "Year of the Dragon."
These coins are legal tender of Australia and contain the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. Inscribed around her portrait are "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "5 OZ 999 SILVER," "2013" and the legal tender face value of "8 DOLLARS."
Year of the Snake Five Ounce Silver Proof Coin Specifications
| Silver Content (Troy oz) | 5 |
| Face Value (AUS) | $8 |
| Fineness (% purity) | 99.9 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 155.50 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) | 5.8 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) | 65.60 |
Each 2013 Year of the Snake Five Ounce Silver Proof Coin is accompanied by a Perth Mint presentation case and a numbered certificate of authenticity inside an illustrated shipper. Those looking to buy one of the new releases may order from the Perth Mint website at www.perthmint.com.au. Pricing is AUS $ 436.36, or US $455.87.
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About the Perth Mint
The Royal Mint of England originally opened the Perth Mint of Australia (http://www.perthmint.com.au/) in 1899 as a branch of the London facility. It continued in operation as a branch of the Royal Mint until ownership transferred to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970.
Today, the Perth Mint is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. In addition, it produces some of the world’s most unusual collectible coins.
