Two Ounces of Gold for the Year of the Snake
This is a 2 troy ounce gold coin, .9999 fine, struck by the Perth Mint for 2025 as the Year of the Snake entry in its Lunar Series III. The snake design is used for this one year, then the series moves to the next animal in the twelve-year cycle. Each coin comes Brilliant Uncirculated in a protective capsule.
The Snake in the Bamboo
The reverse, by Sean Rogers, winds a snake upward through bamboo in three full coils around the central stalk, every scale struck on its own so the pattern catches light as the coin turns. Bamboo leaves fill the upper field, the Chinese character for snake and the inscription SNAKE 2025 sit to the right, and the Perth P mintmark is at the left. The obverse carries Dan Thorne’s portrait of King Charles III, the first effigy of the new monarch on Australian coinage, with CHARLES III, AUSTRALIA, 2oz 9999 Au and 200 DOLLARS around it.
What You Pay Over the Gold
A lunar coin costs more per ounce than a plain two ounce gold bar or a generic bullion coin. You are paying for the yearly design, the Perth Mint’s finish, and a series that collectors follow, on top of the two ounces of gold. Whether that premium holds up on resale depends on the year and how sought the animal is, so buy the snake for the coin, not as a bet on the premium.
Why the Series Has a Following
The Perth Mint has struck lunar bullion since 1996, and its lunar coins are among the most collected in the world. This is sovereign gold, .9999 fine, legal tender in Australia at 200 dollars, and Lunar Series III coins carry a micro-engraved security mark. Two ounces also makes it a substantial single piece rather than something you accumulate a few at a time.
Specifications
The coin is 2 troy ounces of .9999 fine gold, 40.9 mm across with a reeded edge, struck to Brilliant Uncirculated standard by the Perth Mint with a 200 dollar Australian face value. It ships in a protective capsule. See the Specifications tab for the full detail.
Lunar Snake Gold Coin FAQ
Why does it cost more than a plain 2 oz gold bar?
Because part of the price is the design and series, not just metal. The Perth Mint changes the lunar reverse every year and finishes these coins to a higher standard than a cast bar, and the lunar series has a collector base that supports the premium. The gold content is the same two ounces either way.
How often does the snake design appear?
Once every twelve years. This is Lunar Series III, the Perth Mint’s third run through the Chinese zodiac, and the snake is the sixth animal in the current cycle. After 2025 the series moves to the horse.
Is it real gold and legal tender?
Yes to both. It holds two ounces of .9999 fine gold and it is a 200 dollar coin of Australia, struck by the Perth Mint and backed by the Australian government for weight and purity. The gold is worth far more than the face value.
How is it packaged, and what condition?
It ships Brilliant Uncirculated in a protective capsule, straight from the mint. Keep it capsuled: the mirrored fields and the individually struck scales show handling marks and fingerprints easily.
Is this coin IRA eligible?
Yes. At .9999 fine and struck by a sovereign mint, it meets the gold standard for a precious metals IRA, and a custodian can hold it the same as a Gold Eagle or Maple Leaf.
Following the lunar cycle or buying Perth gold generally? The rest of our covers the other years, animals and sizes.
Take home the Year of the Snake in gold. Add the 2025 2 oz Lunar Snake Gold Coin to your cart.