| Coin | Gold Ten Ounces 2023 The Jewelled Snake |
|---|
|
The Australian ten ounces gold piece (abbreviated as 10 oz and designated with Au for "gold") is a bullion coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products.
Both mints endeavour to create coins with attractive designs, and to introduce new designs and themes often, in order to raise the numismatic value of the coins over the value of previous metal used.
The Jewelled Snake 2023 10oz Gold Proof Coin by the Perth Mint is part of a series of jewelled collector coins dedicated to Chinese culture and features two koi fish.
The mint says about it:
A scintillating fusion of pure gold and fine diamonds, including rare Argyle Pink Diamonds from Western Australia’s famous Argyle Mine, this remarkable release is a spellbinding addition of astonishing beauty and intricacy to The Perth Mint’s Jewelled Series.
The Perth Mint’s most luxurious annual releases, henceforth known as Masterpieces, owe their artistic inspiration to animals and mythological creatures significant in oriental culture. Like its stunning predecessors, The Jewelled Snake is mounted with a three-dimensional 18-carat rose and yellow gold representation of a snake coiled about a tree branch. Associated with wealth, strength, and wisdom, the snake is embellished with 175 exceptionally rare, hand set Argyle Pink Diamonds on its upper body. The creature’s belly is similarly pavé-set with 111 white diamonds, with two emeralds for its eyes. |
|
| Obverse | |
|---|
The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide but "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, where the Queen's portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth).
The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937.
Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is "uncouped" (includes the Queen's shoulders). In small letters on the left, the artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II 1952 - 2022 · AUSTRALIA 2023 · 10oz 9999 Au 2500 DOLLARS ·.
The legend is interrupted by the "memorial" inclusion of the dates of the Queen's reign, 1952 - 2022.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content, 10oz 9999 Au (ten ounces of 99.99% gold). |
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
At centre, there is a three-dimensional 18-carat rose and yellow gold snake coiled around a tree branch. Associated with wealth, strength, and wisdom, the snake is embellished with 175 exceptionally rare, hand set Argyle Pink Diamonds on its upper body. The creature’s belly is similarly pavé-set with 111 white diamonds, with two emeralds for its eyes.
In the background, floral motifs representing plum tree blossom - a noble flower in Asian cultures associated with rebirth and renewal. Additional Argyle Pink Diamonds are set at the heart of three flowers.
Around above, the inscription THE JEWELLED SNAKE. In the left field, the Traditional Chinese characters for snake: 蛇.
On the right, the P mint mark of the Perth Mint. The designer's initials SR (for Sean Rogers) are on a branch in the lower right, below the snake. |
|
| Reverse Inscription |
THE JEWELLED SNAKE 蛇 |
|---|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
| Notes | The figure of the snake has 0.45 troy ounces of 77.68% rose gold and 0.112 oz of 75.97% yellow gold.
Argyle Pink Diamonds (approx. carat): 2.66. Quality: Fancy Intense / Vivid Pink / Purplish Pink.
White Diamonds (approx. carat): 1.36. Quality: Fine White.
Colombian Emeralds (approx. carat): 0.01.
Maximum Thickness Including Snake (mm): 17.50
Finish: Proof FDC.
Packaging: The coin is presented in a luxury display case featuring double-doors embellished with pink gold motifs and two additional Argyle Pink Diamonds, one on each side. Inside, the illuminated coin continuously rotates through 360 degrees with captivating style. Accompanied by an individually numbered 18-carat rose gold plaque, corresponding to each coins numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Date of issue: 23 March 2023.
Issue price: AU$ 289,000.00.
The coin was issued during the reign of King Charles III; however, as his effigy was not expected to be approved for use in Australia until late in the year, it features a "memorial" obverse with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the dates of her reign, 1952 - 2022. |
|---|
|
| See also |
Jewelled Masterpieces issued so far:
- 10 oz Gold, The Jewelled Phoenix, 2018
- 10 oz Gold, The Jewelled Dragon, 2019
- 10 oz Gold, The Jewelled Tiger, 2020
- 10 oz Gold, The Jewelled Horse, 2021
- 10 oz Gold, The Jewelled Koi, 2022
- 10 oz Gold, The Jewelled Snake, 2023
|
|---|
|
Search for Australia: Gold Ten Ounces 2023 The Jewelled Snake on eBay 
