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Australia International Year of the Snake

2013 Ten Dollar

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The Chinese Zodiac is an astrological system that rotates through a twelve year lunar cycle. Each of these years is associated with an animal arranged in order from the rat through to the pig. An ancient folk story states that the order was established by a race between the animals that was orchestrated by the Jade Emperor of China. It is believed that each of these animals is associated with a set of characteristics that may serve as an astrological guide to understand the events that occur in the year as well as the personalities of those born in the year. The Royal Australian Mint regularly produces coins celebrating the beginning of a new Chinese Lunar Year.

This ten dollar piece was issued in 2013 to celebrate the beginning of the Lunar Year of the Snake. It is part of the lovely Lunar Prestige series that includes three silver coins (One, Ten, and Thirty Dollars) and three gold coins (Hundred, Five-Hundred, and Three-thousand Dollars). The reverse was designed by C. Lau and features a snake, the Chinese character for the lunar water snake and the coins composition "5 oz.999 SILVER". The obverse contains the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II with the legend "ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2013" and the denomination "10 DOLLARS".

The Chinese Zodiac states that the snake is an intelligent creature but is a predator and has a tendency to be devious. Those born in the year of the snake are often said to be intelligence, wise and charming. Although distrustful and quiet they are good at advising and are usually attractive.