The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) yesterday launched a series of coins and a puzzle coin set for the upcoming Chinese Year of the Monkey.

The coins and coin set will be issued on Jan 1 next year.

Part of the MAS' third Chinese Almanac coin series, the coins will be available in nine versions. Each will feature a design of a monkey holding a peach.

They include a 1kg coin made of 999 fine silver, which has a diameter of 10cm, and is the largest issued by MAS so far. The $80 coin will have a limited mintage of 500 pieces.

Some of the coins will also be released as a set. Selected sets include an eight-sided ingot with a design depicting a family of monkeys.

The 2016 Almanac Series Puzzle Coin Set comprises a centrepiece surrounded by 12 coins.

Each of the 12 coins features an animal in the Chinese zodiac. On the reverse side of the coins are the Singapore coat of arms and the year, 2016.

The coins will be sold by the Singapore Mint. For more information, call 6566-2626 or visit www.singaporemint.com.

All orders must reach the mint by Dec 15.