The Australian one ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative 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.
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 one-ounce silver coin with a face value of $5 was issued as part of the Lunar Series of bullion coins to mark the 2025 Chinese Year of the Snake (29 January 2025 - 16 February 2026).
The coin is a Proof FDC version of the bullion ounce with the same design; it has a domed shape, and is smaller in diameter. Also, it is denominated as five dollars and not one dollar as the bullion version. |
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The obverse of the coin displays the bust of King Charles III, which depicts him bare-headed (uncrowned) and wearing a suit and tie, facing left.
Below the shoulder truncation in tiny letters, the artist's initials DT (for Dan Thorne).
Around, the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the face value of the coin: CHARLES III · AUSTRALIA 2025 · 5 DOLLARS ·.
The effigy, legend and face value are in a small circle, surrounded by a decorative border.
Around the rim outside that circle, a "Lunar Calendar Wheel": the twelve animals of the Lunar Calendar walking counter-clockwise: rat, pig, dog, rooster, monkey, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger and an ox; the snake is on top. |
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