2013 Year of the Snake Silver Bullion Coins

The Perth Mint of Australia will soon release Australian 2013 Year of the Snake Silver Bullion Coins in seven different sizes, ranging from 10 kilo down to 1/2 ounce.

These are offered as part of the Perth Mint’s extremely popular Australian Lunar Series II and will be available to the public beginning on Monday, September 3, 2012.


Each coin in the series is composed from 99.9% pure silver and is guaranteed for weight and purity by the government of Australia. Each also features the new 2013 Year of the Snake reverse design.
That design shows a snake curled around the branch of a tree. Shown to the right of the reptile is the Chinese character for "Snake." The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mint mark is found on the reverse along with the inscription of "Year of the Snake."

2013 Year of the Snake Silver Bullion Coins are struck as legal tender of Australia in addition to the government’s guarantee of content. As legal tender, obverses contain the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II along with the inscriptions of "Elizabeth II," "Australia" and "2013." The obverse also contains the face value and weight of the specific coin.

Lunar silver bullion coins made their debut from the Perth Mint in 1999 with the inaugural strikes of the Lunar Series I. In 2008, the Perth Mint introduced the current Lunar Series II. All of these coins featured annually changing reverse designs based on the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. That zodiac indicates that those with birthdays between February 10, 2013 and January 30, 2014 are born in the Year of the Snake.

As previously mentioned, seven different sized 2013 Year of the Snake Silver Bullion Coins will be issued by the Perth. This includes 10 kilo, 1 kilo, 10 ounce, 5 ounce, 2 ounce, 1 ounce and 1/2 ounce. Of those seven, five will feature unlimited mintages with only the 10 kilo coin and the 1 ounce coin being limited. Mintage of the 10 kilo coin will be no more than 200 with the one ounce coin limited to 300,000 worldwide.

All coins of the series are presented in protective acrylic capsules.

Specifications for Year of the Snake Silver Bullion Coins

Size	10 kilo	1 kilo	10 oz	5 oz	2 oz	1 oz	1/2 oz
Silver Content (oz)	321.510	32.151	10	5	2	1	.5
Face Value (AUS)	$300	$30	$10	$8	$2	$1	$.50
Minimum Gross Weight (g)	10,010.000	1,001.002	311.347	155.673	62.270	31.135	15.591
Maximum Diameter (mm)	221.00	100.60	85.60	65.60	55.60	45.60	36.60
Maximum Thickness (mm)	33.00	14.60	6.60	5.80	3.60	2.60	2.30
Maximum Mintage Limit	200	unlimited	unlimited	unlimited	unlimited	300,000	unlimited

About the Perth Mint

The Royal Mint of England established the Perth Mint as a branch facility in 1899 to refine and strike gold recovered from nearby deposits. Ownership was transferred to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970. Today the Perth is responsible for the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program in addition to striking some of the most unique numismatic coins in the world.

2011-2013 Canadian Wildlife Silver Bullion Coins

With the upcoming availability of the fifth coin in the Canadian Wildlife Silver Bullion Coin Series, this article provides a quick review of all post issues

Canadian Wildlife Silver Bullion Coins are produced as a three-year series issued by the Royal Canadian Mint. Dates on each are either 2011, 2012 or 2013.

A total of six unique coins are included within the series, each featuring a unique reverse design showcasing a different member of the diverse creatures found in Canada.


Every coin is struck from one ounce of .9999 fine silver to a diameter of 38 mm. The 3.29 mm thick strikes have a reeded edge and a legal tender face value of CAD $5.

Despite the investment-intended nature of the bullion coins, many collectors have also shown extreme interest in the series. That is largely attributable to the unique designs, level of silver purity and the limited mintage nature of the program. Coins of the Canadian Wildlife series feature a maximum mintage of 1,000,000 per design.

All six silver bullion coins contain the same basic obverse portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt, the portrait is surrounded by the inscriptions of ELIZABETH II, 5 DOLLARS and the relevant year 2011, 2012 or 2013.

The reverse of each coin depicts a different creature of Canadian wildlife. Reverse inscriptions include CANADA, 9999, FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR and the initials of the artist for the design.

A short description of each of the known Canadian Wildlife Silver Bullion Coins is offered below:

2011 Canadian Wolf Silver Bullion Coin

Canadian Wildlife 2011 Canadian Wolf Silver Bullion Coin

2011 Canadian Wolf Silver Bullion Coins made their debut in September of 2010. As indicated by the name, the coin depicts a wolf on its reverse. The snowy scene of the canid also includes an image of a full moon. The reverse was designed by Senior Royal Canadian Mint Engraver William Woodruff.

2011 Canadian Grizzly Silver Bullion Coin

Canadian Wildlife 2011 Canadian Grizzly Silver Bullion Coin

The Royal Canadian Mint released 2011 Grizzly Silver Bullion Coins in January of 2011. A roaring mature grizzly bear is shown on the reverse of the strike along the edge of a body of water. Like the first coin of the series, the reverse of this coin was also designed by Senior Mint Engraver William Woodruff whose initials can be seen to the left of the bear.

2012 Canadian Cougar Silver Bullion Coin

Canadian Wildlife 2012 Canadian Cougar Silver Bullion Coin

Issued in September of 2011, the 2012 Canadian Cougar Silver Bullion Coin appeared as the third strike of what had become an extremely popular series. Showcased on the reverse is the image of a cougar which is also known as pumas, mountain lions or mountain cats. The William Woodruff design shows the cat with its front paws on a fallen tree limb.

2012 Canadian Moose Silver Bullion Coin

Canadian Wildlife 2012 Canadian Moose Silver Bullion Coin

2012 Canadian Moose Silver Bullion Coins made their initial appearance in February of 2012. Also designed by Woodruff, the reverse of this coin shows a moose, complete with large palmate antlers, standing among the tall grasses of its native region.

2013 Canadian Pronghorn Antelope Silver Bullion Coin

Canadian Wildlife 2013 Canadian Pronghorn Antelope Silver Bullion Coin

The Royal Canadian Mint first announced details of 2013 Canadian Pronghorn Antelope Silver Bullion Coins at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in August of 2012. The strike showcases a pronghorn antelope on the reverse with a design by Canadian artist and coin designer Emily S. Damstra.

2012 Year of the Dragon Coin with Bavarian Lion Privy 1oz Silver Bullion Coin

These Silver 1 oz Dragons are true treasures: crafted to perfection and boasting an image of the most sought-after sign of the Chinese Zodiac with an exclusive privy mark of the majestic Bavarian Lion.

2012 1oz Silver Lunar Dragons have a limited mintage and are retailing anywhere from $75-$125. These limited edition privy Lunar Dragons have a much lower mintage capped at 200,000 units worldwide and offer an even more attractive opportunity for capital appreciation.

The Perth Mint is world renowned for its superior minting technology, and creative handcrafted designs. Custom-minted and selling out fast, these coins are a prized item in any collection.

Available this year only. Get them today or wait another 12 years for the next Year of the Dragon!

Details:

Metal Content (Troy oz)	1.0
Fineness (% purity)	99.90
Minimum Gross Weight (g)	31.135
Monetary Denomination (AUD)	1.00

The Perth Mint 2012 Year of the Dragon (Lion Privy) 1oz silver bullion coin comes encapsulated

Mintage:

Just Two Million of these Limited Lion privy bullion coins were minted.

2013 Pronghorn Antelope - The 5th in the Royal Canadian Mints Wildlife Series

2013 Pronghorn Antelope - The 5th in the Royal Canadian Mints Wildlife Series

 

The maximum mintage is 1 million coins making them 30 more rare than an American silver eagle. 

They are more pure than an eagle at .9999 fine silver and have a legal tender face value 5 times than an silver eagle. These coins are in high demand with bullion buyers and collectors worldwide. 

• 9999 Fine 
• $5 Legal Tender 
• Shipping Mid September 2012!

2011 Silver Canadian Grizzly Bear One Ounce 9999 Pure

These magnificent new silver bullion coins are an extension of the Royal Canadian Mint Silver Maple Leaf Program.

This is the second coin in a 6-coin series being released over the next 3 years; Each new coin will have a wildlife theme.

The Grizzly Bear design by Senior Mint Engraver William Woodruff depicts a growling Grizzly Bear alongside water with magnificent wildlife scenery behind it.

The maximum mintage is 1 million coins making them 30 more rare than an American silver eagle. They are more pure than an eagle at .9999 fine silver and have a legal tender face value 5 times than an silver eagle. These coins are in high demand with bullion buyers and collectors worldwide.