2013 Year of the Snake Silver Coins of the World

In the Chinese Lunar Calendar, 2013 is the Year of the Snake. Mints across the globe are seizing upon the popularity of lunar themed coins and the highly popular snake year by minting a distinguished offering of silver coins, proof silver coins, and colorized coins to commemorate the year.

The snake is widely known for its wisdom, cunning nature, and secrecy. These traits are portrayed by the Mints of the world's 2013 Year of the Snake coin releases. Not only is the Snake one of the most desirable signs in the Chinese zodiac, it is also one of the most popular and brings eager silver coin collectors and investors swarming in to purchase the popular releases.

While is is probably impossible to list every release from every mint this lens will attempt to present a wide array of the worlds snake releases as they happen. As I receive my coins, I will update the mint released images with actual photos. I hope you enjoy the review!

No review of year of the snake coins would be complete without mentioning the Perth Mint's offering. The Australian Perth Mint released snake coins in 10 Kilo, 1 Kilo, 10, 5, 2, 1 and 1/2 ounce sizes. They released bullion versions that usually closely follow the value of the silver contained in them, proof, colorized, and gilded versions of the snake. Due to the popularity of the Lunar theme and the Snake coin in particular most of these coins sell at substantial premiums to their silver content and are considered collector items. The one ounce bullion version has a limited mintage of 300,000 coins.

Coins from the Lunar Snake theme are struck by the Perth Mint in 99.9% pure silver and are legal tender in Australia. The reverse depicts a snake relaxingly entwined on a tree branch along with the Perth Mint "P" mint mark. The obverse carries the Ian Rank-Broadly effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Most proof and special releases have packaging that consists of an outer box, presentation case, Certificate of Authenticity and an airtight capsule. If you want to know more about the Perth Mint's Snake Coins click on the snake on the right for a lens dedicated exclusively to them.

2013 Perth Mint Lunar Snake Review

Specifications:

Country Rwanda

Legal Tender 500 Francs

Metal Silver

Fineness 999/1000

Weight 20g

Diameter 40 mm

Quality Proof

COA

Presentation Case

The fourth release in the exceptional lotus-shaped coin series is the 2013 $15 Snake Silver Proof. This captivating issue celebrates the Year of the Snake in truly Royal Canadian style . A beautiful display of a partially hidden snake captures this mysterious secret animal. The upper right-hand is highlighted by overhanging leaves. The snake appears ready to slide effortlessly to its destination. The Chinese character for "Snake" appears in the lower left. There are no legends on the obverse and this brings the entire focus to the majestic snake. Struck in Proof quality from .9999 fine silver, each coin is housed in Royal Canadian Mint presentation case with accompanying COA.

Specifications:

Legal Tender: 15 Dollars

Weight: 26.70 grams

Diameter: 38.00 mm

Mintage: 48,888

Finish: Proof

Composition: .9999 Fine Silver

Certificate of Authenticity

A custom designed Year of the Snake commemorative for a corporate customer in China. This tantalizing official Australian legal tender issue release features a distinctive coiled snake design. Struck to flawless Royal Australian Mint quality in 99.9% fine silver. This coin was also released in 5 ounce and Kilo versions.

Specifications:

Metal:Silver

Legal Tender: 1 AUD

Quality:Proof

Purity:.999

Weight: 31.1 grams

Mintage: 50,000

Outer Box, Presentation Case, Certificate of Authenticity

The Snake is the fourth issue in Canada's Lunar series! . Struck in the Canadian mints signature 99.99% pure silver, the stylish Proof depicts the serpent in all its glory, along with the Chinese character for snake. The legal tender status of 15 dollars and Canada 2013 are inscribed around the edge. Each coin comes encapsulated in an air tight and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint case with COA. Mintage is limited to a meager 48,888. The design is by Canadian artist Aries Cheung.

Specifications:

Legal Tender: 15 Dollars

Weight: 31.39 g

Diameter: 38.00 mm

Mintage Limit: 48,888

Finish: Proof

Composition: .9999 Fine Silver

Presentation Case

Certificate of Authenticity

Technical Specifications

Country - China

Legal Tender - 10 Yuan

Weight 1 oz

Metal Silver

Composition - 99.9%

Mintage 80,000

Outer Box, Presentation Case, and COA

Technical Specifications

Country - Niue Islands 2013.

Legal Tender - 1$ .(NID)

Weight 28,28 gram.

Metal Silver

Composition - .925

Size 35,1 x 45,21 mm.

Mintage 7.000

COA

The design for the Opal Fiji 2013 Year of the Snake silver coin consists of an imposing serpent entwined around a Gilson-Opal gemstone. The Opal coin includes the legend 'Year of the Snake' along with the Pinyin pictograph for the word 'snake' in artificial black Onyx .

Gilson-Opals hold the distinction of being able to express every color in the visible spectrum. In the time of the Middle Ages, opal was considered a stone of great luck. It was also reported to bestow the power of invisibility if held in hand while wrapped in a fresh bay leaf.

Specifications:

Legal Tender: 10 Dollars

Composition: Fine .999 Silver

Diameter: 38.61mm

Weight: 1 oz / 31.1035 g

Finish: Patinated

Mintage: 1,000 coins

Embedded Gilson opal plate

This is not a silver coin but the design is very nice.

Specification:

Legal Tender: 1 Dollar

Metal: Copper, silver plated

Diameter: 38.61mm

Weight: 20 grams

Edge: Reeded

Finish: Proof Like (PL)

Mintage: 1,500 coins

Jewish tradition holds that God created the first woman Lilith for Adam from dust. Lilith was unwilling to submit to her husband. Adam was so outraged with Lilith that she left the paradise. God subsequently created a second wife Eve from the Adam's rib. Lilith was symbolized as the snake that received the fruit from Eve to seduce Adam. Lilith is confident, sensual, powerful woman in stark contrast to Eve.

2013 brought about the opportunity to recognize the sensual snake Lilith with the first 3D holographic lunar coin.

Specifications:

Legal Tender: 5 Won

Metal: Fine .999, Silver

Diameter: 38.61mm

Weight: 20 grams

Finish: Patinated

Mintage:1,000 coins

3D True-color-Holography nickelshim embedded

Commemorating the 2013 Lunar Snake year, the silver Macau Snake coin is issued by the Monetary Authority of Macau. It is the sixth release in the Macau Lunar series (2008- 2019), exclusively minted at The Singapore Mint.

An judiciously placed snake in the vibrant colors emblematic of this series surrounded by orchids is featured on the obverse. The reverse side of the coin showcases the Ruins of St. Paul's in the Historic Centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Specifications

Mintage: 6000

Issue Date:30-Sep-2012

Finish: Proof

Diameter: 40.7 mm

Weight: 31.1g

Material:999 Fine Silver

Presentation Case

COA

Specifications

Mintage:500

Issue Date:30-Sep-2012

Finish: Proof

Diameter: 65.00 mm

Weight: 155.52g

Material:999 Fine Silver

Presentation Case

COA

Technical Specifications:

Country: Cameroon

Metal: Silver

Weight 0.64 Troy ounces

Fineness: 99.9%

Legal Tender: 1000 CFA

Weight : 20.00 grams

Diameter 38.61 mm

Year of Issue 2013

Edge Treatment: Reeded

Proof Finish

Mintage: 999

Exterior Decoration gilded

Wooden presentation box and COA

This uniquely French Proof Silver coin displays a snake curled up surrounded by a decorative border. The Legends "Année du Serpent" and "RF" proudly announce the issue. On the reverse is a portrait of Jean de la Fontaine with the12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.

Specification:

Country: France

Finish: Proof

Weight: 22.2 g

Composition: .900 Silver

Diameter: 37 mm

The snake coins minted by the Mint of Finland depict the yin and yang. It symbolizes two opposite and complementary forces. Chinese philosophy believes the world is formed in a process of continuous change with the opposing forces taking their turn to dominate. Together the snake coins form a contiguous circle. The design for the coin is by Erkki Vainio.

Specifications:

Legal Tender: 2 x $1

Finish: Proof

Mintage: 5,000

Composition: .925 Silver

Diameter: 49.9 mm

Weight: 33.62 gr

Presentation Case

COA

Specifications:

Composition: 92.5% Silver

Weight: 5 Troy Ounce

Denomination: 50 NZD

Diameter (mm) 55.00

Country: Cook Islands

Reeded Edge

Proof Quality

Mintage: 888 pieces

Special Feature: Mother of pearl insert

Presentation Case and COA

Specifications:

Composition: 99.9% Silver

Weight: 1 Troy Ounce

Denomination: 10 Fiji $

Diameter (mm) 40

Country: Fiji

Reeded Edge

Proof Quality

Mintage: 8,888 pieces

Special Feature: Gilded Sanke with Green Pearl

Presentation Case and COA

A hued titanium snake is encircled by a sterling silver ring in this unique British Virgin Islands offering. This is the first lunar coin to comprise titanium - the metal of the Titans from Greek mythology.

Specifications:

Composition: 92.5% Silver

Weight: 0.66 Troy Ounce

Denomination: 10 USD

Diameter (mm) 38.6

Country: US Virgin Islands

Reeded Edge

Proof Quality

Mintage: 5,000 pieces

Special Feature: Colored Titanium Inset

Presentation Case and COA

Specifications:

Composition: 99*.9% Silver

Weight: 5 Troy Ounce

Denomination: 30 USD

Diameter (mm) 80

Country: US Virgin Islands

Reeded Edge

Proof Quality

Special Feature: Colored Titanium Inset

Presentation Case and COA

Specifications:

Composition: 99.9% Silver

Weight: 1 Troy Ounce

Denomination: 1000 LAK

Diameter (mm) 40

Country: Fiji

Reeded Edge

Proof Quality

Mintage: 8,888 pieces

Special Feature: Printed Decorative Green Sanke

Presentation Case and COA

A tantalizing example of numismatic craftsmanship, the reverse of this silver numismatic gem displays a gold-plated profile of a snake encircled by a ring of Burmese Jade - certified by the Gem Appraisal Center of Peking University in Beijing. The Jade is outlined by two traditional Chinese entwined snakes, this issue is housed within a red presentation case with Certificate of Authenticity verifying the coins specifications and limited mintage of 2,888 coins.

Technical Specification

Composition: .999 Silver

Finish: Proof

Edge: milled

Legal Tender: NZ$2

Country of Issue: Pitcairn

Year: 2013

Weight: 1 Troy Ounce

Diameter: 40mm

Special Feature - Gold Gilding

A must have for discriminating Lunar collector and colorized bar enthusiast, this mesmerizing Year of the Snake classic is a beautiful presentation. The Mint has a limited mintage of just 3,000 and the release is notable for the distinguished presentation case creating a dramatic numismatic display.