| Coin | Silver Ounce 2025 Year of the Snake |
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Like many other mints, Monnaie de Paris (the Paris Mint) issues coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The one ounce (1 oz) silver coins are denominated as 20€ (Twenty Euro), and as such are only legal tender in France and not in the whole Eurozone - only the regular circulating coins from 1 Euro Cent to 2 Euro are legal tender in all member countries, while all other denominations are legal tender in the issuing country only.
Some of these coins are issued around the theme of the Chinese Lunar Calendar - a zodiac with a twelve-year cycle in which every year is associated with one of twelve different animals.
This coin is dedicated to the 2025 Year of the Snake (29 January 2025 - 16 February 2026).
According to legend, during the race to select the zodiac animals, the cunning snake secretly slipped onto the horse's hoof and grabbed the sixth place. This story reflects its strategic intelligence. |
| Mint | Paris Mint |
Mint Mark | Cornucopia |
Total Mintage |
3,000
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin features a circle above right representing a temple door with Chinese-style ornate handles and latch, on which the inscription RF stands for "République Française" - French Republic. This is surrounded by an ornate ring, below which a ribbon with the inscription CALENDRIER CHINOIS (Chinese Calendar).
The rest of the surface is divided into twelve uneven sectors, each representing one year in the cycle, with the year near the rim (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029), and depictions of the respective zodiac animals.
On two lines above left, the face value 20 EURO |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design depicts a snake inside a ring engraved with traditional Chinese motifs. The reptile is in motion, partially wrapped around the ring, looking as if it ready to escape from the edges of the coin. The space around the rim is decorated with orchids, the flower associated with this sign.
On the body of the snake below, the Chinese character for snake, 蛇.
Around left, the inscription 2025 ANNÉE DU SERPENT (2025 Year of the Snake).
Near the rim below left, two privy marks: the Cornucopia of the Paris Mint, and the personal mark of the Chief Engraver of the mint Joaquin Jimenez - a small square whose upper left quarter is occupied by a smaller square - symbolising his initials JJ, plus a stylised rhinoceros head. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
2025 ANNÉE DU SERPENT 蛇 |
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| Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof, high relief.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Paris Mint SKU: 10041388960000.
Release date: 11 October 2024.
Release price: 125.00 EUR. |
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| See also |
1 oz silver coins issued by various countries and mints for the 2025 Year of the Snake:
- Australia (Perth Mint), 1 oz Silver Bullion ($1), Year of the Snake 2025
- France (Paris Mint), 1 oz Silver Proof (€20), Year of the Snake 2025
- Niue (PAMP), 1 oz Silver Proof ($1), Year of the Snake 2025
- Tokelau (B.H. Mayer), 1 oz Silver Proof ($5), Year of the Snake - Mirror Snake 2025
- United Kingdom (Royal Mint), 1 oz Silver Proof (£2), Year of the Snake 2025
Coins issued by the Paris Mint to mark the Lunar Year of the Snake 2025 include:
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof (€50), Year of the Snake 2025
- 1 oz Silver Proof (€20), Year of the Snake 2025
- 22 g Silver Proof (€10), Year of the Snake 2025
- 1/4 € AlBr, Year of the Snake 2025
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