COIN REVEAL: 2013 Lunar Snake Series II .999 Silver Coin
Today's coin reveal post features the 2013 Lunar Snake Series II .999 Silver Coin struck by The Perth Mint.
1. Coin Story
The Perth Mint Lunar II series started in 2008 with the release of the lunar mouse coin design. The series ran from 2008 until 2019 with the lunar pig being the final coin design in the series.
I started my silver and gold stacking in 2013, so the 1oz version of the Lunar Snake coin was one of the very first pieces of silver that I ever bought. Closely followed by the lunar dragon coin design.
Over the years I have continued to collect and accumulate the other coin designs from the Lunar II series. Some years price more difficult that others. The Lunar Snake coin was very easy to get a hold of when I started stacking, but it's availability on the secondary market has gotten a lot scarcer as the years have gone by.
The Lunar Snake coin was issued in various sizes by The Perth Mint. The coin sizes are listed below:
- 1/2oz Lunar Snake Series II Coin.
- 1oz Lunar Snake Series II Coin.
- 2oz Lunar Snake Series II Coin.
- 5oz Lunar Snake Series II Coin.
- 10oz Lunar Snake Series II Coin.
- 1 Kilo Lunar Snake Series II Coin.
You will be able to see from the photos within this post that the coin design for the various sizes is identical, except for the different weights inscribed on the obverse side of the coin.
2. Coin Packaging
These coins are packaged in individual sealed plastic capsules. The 1/2oz and 1oz versions were sold in plastic wrap rolls of twenty coins per roll. The 2oz coins were sold in plastic wrap rolls of five coins per roll. The 5oz and 10oz coins were sold on protected cardboard sleeves.
3. Coin Details
a. Mintage
The mintage of this coin design varied per coin size. Each of the coins were issued as legal tender under the authority of the Australian Government. The denomination of each varied per coin size.
The Perth Mint provide a very useful PDF document that is available for download that lays out all this information very clearly. You can access the link via the address provided below:
b. Purity
The purity of each of the coins in the series is .999 fine silver irrespective of coin size.
c. Details
| Mint/Brand: | The Perth Mint |
|---|---|
| Silver Content: | 1/2oz, 1oz, 2oz, 5oz, 10oz and 1kg |
| Purity: | .999 Fine Silver |
| Denomination: | 50c, $1, $2, $8, $10, $30 |
| Year of Issue: | 2013 |
| Edge: | Milled |
d. Privy Mark
The 1oz version of the coin was also issued with a privy mark. The privy mark on the 2013 Lunar Snake series II was a Lion.
4. Coin Design
a. Reverse Design
The reverse of the coin depicts a snake wrapped around the branch of the tree, with a stylised Chinese background.
The design includes an inscription 'Year of the Snake' and the Chinese symbol for snake.
b. Obverse Design
The obverse of the coin portrays the effigy of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The denomination of the coin, that varies per size. The coin weight in troy ounces, that varies by size. The silver purity of .999 Fine Silver and the year of issue of 2013.
The design includes the inscriptions 'ELIZABETH II' and 'AUSTRALIA'.
Post authored by @strenue
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