Silver Half Ounce 2025 Year of the Snake - Prosperity, Coin from Australia - detailed information

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 coloured coin is part of Perth Mint's extensive range of coins celebrating the Chinese Lunar Year of the Snake (29 January 2025 - 16 February 2026), and features the Chinese concept of Fu - Prosperity.

The mint says about it:
The Chinese symbol for the Year of the Snake embodies wisdom, elegance, and intuition - virtues highly esteemed in Chinese mythology. It signifies a period of personal growth, a journey of self-discovery, where intellect and patience are the keys to achieving success.

In Chinese culture, floral patterns represent renewal, growth, and prosperity. The colours red, orange, and yellow hold special significance. Red is known as the colour of celebration and good luck. Orange symbolises change and adventure, and yellow is associated with power and honour. Together, these colours are thought to bring good fortune and joy.