Serpent emerging from lair 2 oz Silver Coin (Antiqued Finish)

The Chinese Sexagenary Cycle (六十甲子) is an ancient method of calculating years, months, dates, and time. It pairs 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches to derive the sexagenary number of a Chinese year. The 10 Heavenly Stems correspond to the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—while the 12 Earthly Branches are represented by the 12 Zodiac animals.

The Serpent Emerging from Lair, also known as 出穴之蛇, refers to the year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese Sexagenary Cycle. This system of reckoning time combines the Heavenly Stem 乙 (Yi) with the Earthly Branch 巳 (Si) to form the 42nd year in the 60-year cycle.

This year of the Snake embodies growth, wisdom, and adaptability. In Chinese astrology, the Snake is associated with intelligence, intuition, and an air of mystery. When paired with the wood element, these traits are amplified with a focus on creativity, resilience, and steady progress. People born in the year are said to be resourceful, strategic, and insightful, often achieving success through meticulous planning and persistence.

The coin’s reverse features a dynamic portrayal of a snake emerging from its lair, with meticulously detailed scales shimmering against a backdrop of rugged rocks and foliage. The obverse displays a scaled background with the Coat of Arms of Chad, marking the coin as legal tender. This striking collector’s item honors the profound symbolism of the Wood Snake and its role in the Chinese Zodiac.