2013 Year of the Snake Gilded, Gemstone and Colored Silver Coins

Three new Year of the Snake silver coins have been issued by the Perth Mint of Australia as part of its Lunar Series II program. All three depict the same basic imagery but feature different treatments of the reverse design.

Available now from the Perth Mint are the 2013 Year of the Snake Gilded Silver Coin, the 2013 Year of the Snake Colored Silver Coin and the 2013 Year of the Snake Gemstone Silver Coin.

Both the gilded and colored editions are composed of one ounce of 99.9% pure silver. The gemstone version is struck from one kilo of the precious metal and uses a black diamond to highlight the design.

Reverses of these silver coins show an image of a snake curled around the branch of a tree. Inscribed below the reptile is "Year of the Snake" with the Chinese character for snake inscribed to the side. Also found on the reverses is the Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mint mark.

The design features the reptile because 2013 is the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac. Coins of the Perth’s Lunar Series II program depict a new creature from the zodiac annually. Those born in 2013 are said to have intelligence, grace, independence and charm.

Obverses of the silver coins feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The effigy is surrounded by the inscriptions of "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "2013" and inscriptions for the content and face value of the coins. For the gilded and colored editions, this includes "1 oz 999 SILVER" and "1 DOLLAR." The gemstone edition has the inscriptions of "1KG 999 SILVER" and "30 DOLLARS."

2013 Year of the Snake Gilded Silver Coins

The gilded silver coins feature the image of the snake on the reverse gilded with 24-karat gold. The coin features a maximum mintage of 50,000.

Each has a diameter of 45.60 mm and a maximum thickness of 2.60 mm. Minimum gross weight of each piece is 31.135 grams.

Those interested in purchasing one of the gilded silver coins have two options. The coin is available with a presentation case currently for AUD $90.00 or in a capsule for AUD $86.00. Both ship with numbered certificates of authenticity.

A 12-coin set display case may also be purchased to house all twelve of the gilded strikes issued as part of the Perth’s Lunar Series II. Pricing of the 12-coin case is listed at AUD $68.00.

2013 Year of the Snake Colored Silver Coins

Like the aforementioned gilded edition, the colored silver coin is struck from one ounce of 99.9% pure silver. However, instead of gilding, the reverse design finds the reptile colored with yellows, blacks and grays.

This coin features a diameter of 45.60 mm and a maximum thickness of 2.60 mm. Minimum gross weight of each coin is 31.135 grams.

Pricing of the colored coin is currently listed at AUD $94.55. Each ships with a presentation case and a numbered certificate of authenticity which indicates the maximum mintage of 10,000. An illustrated shipper is also included.

2013 Year of the Snake Gemstone Silver Coins

Struck from one kilo of 99.9% pure silver, the gemstone silver coins also depict the colored image of a snake. However, the eye of the reptile is set with a black diamond.

Maximum mintage for this release is 5,000. Each 32.151 troy ounce coin features a diameter of 100.60 mm, a thickness of 14.60 mm and a minimum gross weight of 1001.002 grams.

The one kilo coin is currently available for AUD $1,772.00. Included with each specimen quality coin is a Perth Mint display case, a numbered certificate of authenticity and an illustrated shipper.

Additional information and purchasing options for the Year of Snake silver coins may be found on the Perth Mint website.

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About the Perth Mint

The Royal Mint of England originally opened the Perth Mint of Australia (www.perthmint.com.au) in 1899 as a branch of the London facility. Its original purpose was to refine gold from nearby deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie and mint gold sovereigns from it.

It continued in operation as a branch of the Royal Mint until ownership was transferred to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970. Today, the Perth is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program in addition to producing some of the world’s most unique collectible coins.