Set Description
The China panda is typically referred to as a bullion coin. This means that the coin is primarily minted and saved for the value of its precious metal content. Examples of popular bullion coins issued by other countries are the Eagle (USA), Maple Leaf (Canada) and Krugerrand (South Africa). While most bullion coins produced have a face value and are legal tender in their counties, the coins are not designed for circulation.
Over time, the panda series has been minted using four different precious metals: gold, silver, platinum and palladium. The value of bullion coins typically fluctuates based on the underlying price of their precious metal content but also varies based on the coin’s rarity, quality, and demand from collectors.
The panda series is interesting from a collecting standpoint for a number of reasons:
First, the design of the coin changes from year to year. The date side of the coin (called the obverse ) features an image of the temple of heaven along with a year. This design is fairly consistent from year to year. The Panda side (called the reverse) changes significantly from year to year but always features one or more Pandas. This is in contrast to a coin like the American eagle where the design stays constant.
Second, the coins are available in many different sizes. Silver pandas have been issued in weights ranging from ½ ounce to 1 kilogram.
Third, there are many different varieties that make collecting interesting. These varieties have been introduced due to the fact that there are several different mints in China that produce the coins. These mints often produce slightly different variations of the coins. In US coinage, the coins from different mints are identified by mint marks like “D” for Denver and “P” for Philadelphia. In contrast, a Panda produced in one mint may have have a smaller date while a different mint might strike a larger date.
Lastly, in my opinion the panda series represents an outstanding potential investment. The quantities of pandas produced were far less than other coins like the American Eagle. As coin collecting becomes more popular with the Chinese public, the potential for appreciation is incredible.
One thing for novice collectors to watch out for is fake pandas. A large majority of pandas sold on ebay by chinese sellers are fake. There are a few honest sellers but it definately buyer beware on the wild west of ebay. That is one more reason to try to buy NGC or PCGS graded pandas to build your collection.
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| 1989 Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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320
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| 10/11/2010 |
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| 1990 Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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320
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| 3/3/2008 |
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| 1990 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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320
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| 2/5/2008 |
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| 1991 Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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366
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| 3/3/2008 |
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| 1991 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 70
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620
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| 3/3/2008 |
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| 1992 Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 70
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725
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| 7/8/2011 |
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| 1992 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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450
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| 3/16/2008 |
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| 1993 Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 70
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575
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| 3/16/2008 |
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| 1993 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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336
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| 3/16/2008 |
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| 1994 Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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409
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| 3/2/2007 |
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| 1994 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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409
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| 6/24/2006 |
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| 1995 Large Twig Mint State Panda |
MS 70
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437
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| 12/7/2006 |
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| 1995 Small Twig Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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237
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| 1/17/2007 |
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| 1995 Small Twig Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 70
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437
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| 7/8/2011 |
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| 1996 Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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237
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| 3/2/2007 |
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| 1996 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 70
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437
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| 5/17/2008 |
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| 1997 Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 70
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366
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| 8/5/2006 |
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| 1997 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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183
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| 6/24/2006 |
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| 1998 Large Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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201
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| 6/24/2006 |
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| 1998 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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201
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| 6/24/2006 |
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| 1999 Large Date Mint State Panda Plain 1 |
MS 69
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255
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| 6/30/2008 |
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| 1999 Large Date Mint State Panda Serif 1 |
MS 69
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255
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| 2/11/2009 |
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| 1999 Small Date Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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255
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| 6/24/2006 |
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| 2000 Mirror Finish Mint State Panda |
MS 69
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395
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| 6/24/2006 |
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| 2000 Frosted Finish Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
620
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| 8/5/2006 |
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| 2001 Mint State Panda |
MS 69
|
201
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| 6/24/2006 |
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| 2001D Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
423
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| 12/12/2007 |
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| 2002 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
366
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| 8/10/2007 |
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| 2003 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
304
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| 8/10/2007 |
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| 2004 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
304
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| 8/10/2007 |
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| 2005 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
272
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| 8/10/2007 |
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| 2006 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
272
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| 4/6/2006 |
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| 2007 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
489
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| 4/6/2007 |
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| 2008 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
489
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| 1/28/2008 |
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| 2009 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
489
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| 2/11/2009 |
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| 2010 Mint State Panda |
MS 70
|
489
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| 10/11/2010 |
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| 2011 Mint State Panda |
MS 70 EARLY RELEASES
|
489
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| 3/14/2011 |