Chinese Minted Gold Panda Coins for Avid Collectors

In 1982 the first Gold Panda bullion coins were issued by the People’s Republic of China. Appreciation of Gold Panda Coins has since increased within and outside the boundaries of the country. The coins were initially minted in fine gold in various sizes such as 1/10, ¼, ½, and 1 oz. A 1/20 oz was produced in 1983 and afterwards larger bullion coins in 5 oz. and 12 oz.

Ancient and contemporary Chinese coinage

Gold Chinese coins are one of the most popular collectibles in Asia. An understanding of the history of the different types of coinage from ancient China is a popular pre-occupation among a tight-knit and very competitive global community of coin collectors. The coins from ancient China are especially sought after, with hundreds of legends and calligraphic markings. An estimated total of 2,500 years of ancient Chinese civilization cast coins using moulds with the most popular raw materials being gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The favorite designs used by dynasty artisans were the profiles of artists, political figures, and detail from famous Chinese paintings of the time.

Gold Panda Coins are recent additions to the magnificent selection of commemorative coins that are available to both novice and avid collectors. The giant panda is an amazing animal that is unique to China. The likeness of these gentle creatures is used in Chinese culture as totems of peace and humility. Historically, the panda is a representation of democracy and panda ornamentation was typically presented to other territories as a gift or token. The Chinese also use the panda to symbolize yin and yang, or the energy balance between the masculine and feminine. Aside from this, the panda is a representation of higher knowledge and exotic culture.

The giant panda immortalized

Gold Panda Coins feature a different design every year except during 2002 which was identical to the previous year’s panda gold coins. This was a consequence of a policy change that was eventually overturned in 2003. Industrial facilities that manufacture coins are in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenyang. The basic design on the reverse is a panda portrait that varies each year. On the obverse, the Temple of Heaven and Chinese characters that state “People’s Republic of China” and the year of issue are found.

A complete index of panda coins now include the gold Panda Proof Sets that were issued from 1986-1995. The current price list of a wide array of minted collectibles is now easily accessible on the Internet. Coins made from other precious metal as well as lunar coins that feature the Zodiac symbols are also available from the same reliable suppliers of Gold Panda Coins.

Purchasing Gold Panda coins is an investment that could double or triple in the future, despite the volatility of auction prices and the fluctuations in the price of gold. Serious panda collectors must consider the Silver Panda series as well. These feature the same designs as the gold series. Both the gold and silver coins that are being offered today are distributed by the China Gold Coin Corporation in China. More information can be found at: http://www.coinex.com/ .

The Rarer Panda Coins: Platinum and Palladium Pandas

Perhaps the most widely known series of collectable precious metal coins produced by the People's Bank of China is the Panda series, which continues to attract the avid attention of the international numismatic community.  The first of this series was issued in 1982 and, although in the first year the issues were only made of gold, have since been produced every year in a variety of precious metals, including gold, silver, bi-metallic, platinum, and palladium.  Three brass Pandas were issued, but discontinued after 1984.

While the gold and silver Pandas have been produced every year (with the exception of 1982, as previously mentioned), the palladium and platinum Pandas were issued with much smaller mintages, especially the palladium ones, and only in certain years. 

Only three palladium coins were produced as part of the Panda series.  These were the 1 oz coin in 1989, and two 1/2 oz coins of 2004 and 2005.  They are all relatively scarce with mintages of 3,000; 3,000; and 8,000 respectively.  Despite this, a collector will find it much easier and cheaper to acquire a complete set of palladium Pandas than a complete set of platinum ones, mainly due to the fact that there are only three coins required to complete the palladium set.

The platinum coins were issued in thirteen years, between 1987 and 1990; between 1993 and 1997; and between 2002 and 2005.  The mintages of the earlier platinum Pandas were relatively low - all typically below 10,000 - however those issued in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 have much higher mintages of 20,000; 50,000; 50,000; and 300,000 respectively.

Other popular choices of sets to acquire among collectors are the four 1 oz platinum coins issued between 1987 and 1990; or one of each of the 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz platinum coins ever produced.  The latter may prove particularly challenging for collectors, as the six 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz pieces issued between 1993 and 1997 are seldom seen for sale and are extremely rare and valuable.

The platinum and palladium Panda coins are highly sought after by collectors today, possibly because of the worldwide fascination with the endangered creatures featured on their reverse faces, or because of the innate desire to own a tangible piece of the rare metals from which they are made.  It is most likely to be a combination of these two reasons.  Whether as an investor or a collector, the platinum and palladium Panda coins are an attractive purchase.  With the exception of the rarest pieces, the majority tend to be valued around their bullion price and so are suitable for investors.  Collectors and enthusiasts may also choose to pursue the more elusive ones.

The Rising Popularity of Unicorn Coins

Among the many series of modern Chinese coins issued by the People's Bank of China since 1979, the popularity and renown of the Unicorn series is second perhaps only to the internationally famous Panda series.  Unicorn coins are immensely popular, especially with collectors, and come in a variety of metals: gold, silver, platinum, and bi-metallic (gold and silver).  They were issued over a period of four years between 1994 and 1997 and tend to have very low mintages - some even as low as 18 pieces.  Aside from the 1994 1 kg gold Unicorn and the two bi-metallic Unicorns, every piece in the series features both a traditional Chinese unicorn - or Qilin - and a traditional western-style unicorn.  In this way this attractive series appeals to the cultural sensibilities of both western and Chinese collectors.  Both these mythical, magical creatures hold a special place in both cultures.  The western unicorn is a sign of purity and grace, and is often associated with virginity; while the Qilin is a sign of good luck and a bringer of prosperity and fortune, and a Qilin sighting is often associated with the coming or passing of a great ruler or sage.  The Qilin is depicted as a cloven-hoofed beast with the head of a dragon and the antlers of a deer, covered in the scales of a fish.  The western unicorn is more like a horse with a single spiralled horn emerging from its forehead.

Despite the beauty of these creatures, giving this series great aesthetic value, demand was very low at the time of issue.  Although it was initially planned that the series would run on an annual basis, like the Pandas, it was discontinued in 1997 because of this woefully low demand.  The series was doomed from the start.  In 1994, the People's Bank of China decided to raise its price on all of its collectable coins and the actual number of coins issued was often much lower than originally planned.  The series was popular, but collectors simply couldn't afford the prices, and the resulting low sales figures convinced the Bank that it was not an economically viable series, so it was stopped in 1997.  However, in recent years the Unicorn series has enjoyed a surge in popularity.

Collectors often choose to acquire sets based on dates or denominations, but enthusiasts seldom chose to try to collect all the coins of the series - a costly and extremely challenging pursuit.  Despite the limited years of production, there are many avenues and options for collectors to explore.

Among the Unicorn series, of particular note are the 5 oz gold Unicorns issued between 1994 and 1996.  They have very low planned mintages of 99, 99, and 108 respectively, but it is widely held that the actual mintages are much lower.  What makes them even rarer is that many people melted them down for their gold value, failing to recognise their numismatic value.  Other noteworthy coins include the 1996 1 oz and 1/4 oz platinum pieces; all the 20 oz silver pieces; and the 1997 1 oz platinum piece, all of which have planned mintages of 500 pieces each.

The coins were originally issued in a variety of sets, the rarest and most sought after is the so-called colossal sets.  These contained all the coins issued in that given year with the exception of the 1kg gold Unicorn.  Only 15 of these complete sets were issued each year, distributed in a purpose built set box.  They are so scarce that they are rarely seen.  Other smaller sets were also distributed, including two, three, four, and five-coin box sets.  Today these sets are in high demand and are becoming less and less common.