Peter Anthony:The 2013 gold scallop-shaped coin weighs 1/2 Troy oz. and is the second gold coin in a twelve-year Lunar cycle. The fan’s mintage is a low 8,000. The scallop-shaped coins represent one of the most significant symbols in Chinese culture, the plum blossom (梅花). This flower blooms as the ground is covered in snow during winter. Even as the rest of the earth lays fallow and seemingly dead the beauty, fragrance and perseverance of the plum blossoms reminds us of the Spring to come.

The undulating edges of the 2013 scallop coins seem to echo the coiled pattern of the snake design. This coin represents both very high artistic value and a very limited mintage. Furthermore the Snake design did not excite collectors so they bought fewer. With its low mintages the scallop set, this coin included, will more than likely only get harder and harder to find in future years.