| The gold panda coin forms part of a set of gold | | | | larger Panda coins were issued in some years. |
| bullion coins issued by the People's Republic of | | | | These weigh 5 and 12 oz. These are a very |
| China (PRC). The Chinese mint introduced the | | | | popular coins and are issued in Brilliant Uncirculated |
| Panda gold bullion coin in 1982 and what makes | | | | quality. Again, to enhance collectability the design |
| this series so popular with collectors, is that design | | | | changes each year. |
| changes nearly every year. | | | | On the obverse of the coin there is a |
| Like other popular gold bullion coins (gold eagle, | | | | representation of the "Temple of Heaven" with |
| gold maple leaf, Britannia etc), the gold panda coin | | | | the year of issue. |
| comes in different sizes (weights) starting at 1/20 | | | | On the reverse- and the reason why these coins |
| of a troy oz. ranging up to 1 troy oz.- though | | | | are sought after is a different portrait of panda |
| some special larger ones are occasionally also | | | | every year. |
| produced. | | | | The 2001 & 2002 designs are identical- and due |
| Again, in keeping with this type of bullion coin, it is | | | | to an interesting example of "Collector power", |
| also denominated as legal tender in the home | | | | the mint returned to their original policy of |
| nation. | | | | changing the design annually. These days multiple |
| Here are the current sizes/weights versus the | | | | mints produce these coins: e.g. Beijing, Shenzhen, |
| face value of the coins: | | | | Shanghai and Shenyang. However, there are no |
| 500 Yuan 1 Troy ounce | | | | mintmarks to distinguish the coins origin. |
| 200 Yuan 1/2 Troy ounce | | | | For the connoisseur there are minor variations--in |
| 100 Yuan 1/4 Troy ounce | | | | the size of the date, style of the temple, etc.--in |
| 50 Yuan 1/10 Troy ounce | | | | the coin design that permits the originating mint to |
| 25 Yuan 1/20 Troy ounce | | | | be identified. All in all, if you are interested in |
| If you buy coins dated pre- 2000 then the | | | | adding another level of interest to your gold bullion |
| denominations are different and are 100, 50, 25, | | | | coin collection- the gold panda coin is a good |
| and 10 Yuan (with the 5 Yuan added in 1983). | | | | starting point. |
| An interesting & collectible variety in the series is | | | | Till next time, |
| 1991, when 1 gram gold pandas were minted | | | | Happy gold coin collecting! |
| (value of 3 Yuan.) If your pocket is deeper, the | | | | |