2013 Year of the Snake High Relief Silver Proof Coin Released

Available now from the Perth Mint of Australia is the 2013 Year of the Snake High Relief Silver Proof Coin.

It is composed from one ounce of 99.9% pure silver with both the obverse and reverse imagery minted on concave surfaces to allow for a higher level of detail.

This high relief silver proof coin appears as the part of the Perth’s Lunar Series II Program, which features new coins annually depicting one of the twelve creatures found in the Chinese zodiac. Those twelve creatures include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

In 2013, the Year of the Snake will begin. Those born in the year (as well as those born in 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989 and 2001) are said to be under the influence of the snake with traits such as intelligence, independence and charm.

These silver coins are just one of several different versions of the lunar coin issued by the Perth. The Year of the Snake coins first debuted with bullion and standard proof versions which appeared in September.

High Relief Silver Proof Coin Designs and Specifications

Shown on the reverse of the Year of the Snake High Relief Silver Proof Coin is the image of a snake. This is the same design as used by the Perth on other 2013 Year of the Snake releases and depicts the reptile curled on the branch of a tree. Below the creature, the inscription of "Year of the Snake" can be found with the Chinese character for ‘Snake" also seen. To the right, the Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mint mark can be found.

The coins are produced as legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965. Accordingly, the obverse of each contains the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Surrounding the portrait are the inscriptions of "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "1 oz 999 SILVER," "2012" and "1 DOLLAR."

As previously stated, both the obverse and reverse are struck on concave surfaces giving the strike a high relief profile. The one ounce silver coins thus have a maximum thickness of 6.00 mm with a diameter of 32.60 mm. Minimum gross weight of the piece is 31.135 grams.

The Perth Mint indicates the maximum mintage is 7,500. Each ships in a Perth Mint display case with a numbered certificate of authenticity and an illustrated shipper showing an image of the coin inside and a photographic representation of a snake.

Pricing of the coin is listed at AUD $97.00, but may change based on silver market conditions.

Order Details

The Year of the Snake coins are available to order from around the world at 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.