August 9, 2012 – Macau , a former Portuguese colony and both the first and last European colony of China is where East meets West. The lunar coin series (2008-2019) issued by the Monetary Authority of Macau and exclusively minted and marketed by The Singapore Mint, draws from the richness and diversity of Macau’s distinctive culture.
Macau / 100 MOP / 5oz 999 silver / 155.52 g / 65.00 mm / Mintage: 500.
Featuring a Chinese Almanac animal on its obverse and one of 12 selected sites in Macau listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on its reverse; this series is a unique interpretation of the plurality of cultures.
The first coin began with the almanac animal rat, and continues up to the current Lunar Snake coin, which is the sixth coin in this lunar collection. An elegantly placed snake over a vibrant display of golden cymbidium ensifolium orchids are featured on the obverse side of the coin, accentuating the contrast between the snake’s sparkling sheen and the bright colours of the flowers.
People born in the year of the snake are said to possess gracious morality and great wisdom. The shedding of the snake’s skin symbolises rebirth and a new beginning. This is a juncture often associated with the advent of the Lunar New Year. Immense luck, wealth, and fortune will succeed as medieval folklore believes an encounter with the snake signifies the influx of a significant someone or something into your life. Thus, it is a good omen of auspiciousness and prosperity.
Ruins of Saint Paul’s cathedral in Macao / Macau, China. Photo: US Library of Congress country studies / Wikipedia.
The reverse side of the coin features the Ruins of St. Paul’s, in the Historic Centre of Macau, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has attracted a myriad of tourist footfalls over the years and has emerged as a compelling tourism hotspot. The Ruins of St Paul’s is what remains of the Cathedral of St. Paul and St. Paul’s College which were built in 1602, in dedication to Saint Paul the Apostle.
There are also a 1/4oz gold coin and a 1oz silver coin available. For more information on these coins, please visit the website of The Singapore Mint.