The Australian half ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1/2 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative coin format; it has face value of either 1 dollar or 50 cents. 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.
The silver Lunar Series series was introduced in 1999 by the Perth Mint (the Royal Australian Mint started a parallel series later) and is dedicated to the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the Chinese Zodiac. Known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, it features twelve animal signs in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Boasting a history of more than 2,000 years, it plays an essential role in Chinese culture. The animals zodiac in a cycle are not only used to represent years in China, but also believed to influence people’s personalities, career, compatibility, marriage, and fortune.
This coin is part of the sixth release in the Lunar Series issued by the Perth Mint, and marks the Chinese 2001 Year of the Snake (24 January 2001 - 11 February 2002).
The mint says about it:
A symbol of wisdom in Chinese culture, snakes are said to bring good luck and prosperity. People born in the Year of the Snake are analytical, independent and charming - which is why they are known to make such great leaders. Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025. |
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Within a beaded border, surrounded by floral motifs, the reverse of the coin depicts a snake coiled near five eggs, one of them hatching and a small snake coming out of it. On the front-most egg, the designer's initials LK (for Louis Kwan).
Vertically on the left, the year 2001. On the right, the Chinese character for "snake": 蛇.
Horizontally below, the precious metal content: 1/2 OZ 999 SILVER. |
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