Martin S. Collection of China Silver Panda 5 Yuan MS and PF 1/2oz
1997 PANDA HONG KONG EXPO MS

Owner Comments:

1997 Silver 5 Yuan 1/2oz Panda HONG KONG EXPO MS69

The 1997 Hong Kong International Coin Convention was graced with its own commemorative 5 Yuan silver Panda. This special China Mint issue resembles the standard ½ oz. silver piece. In fact it is nearly identical on the reverse (Panda) side. The obverse (Temple) is noticeably different, however. In the outer ring below the Temple are the Chinese characters that identify the show. The date is much smaller than on the regular coinage and it is tucked in just below the Temple.

Mintage is officially 30,000 but the coin is harder to find than that. It is seen far less often than the standard issue and is a borderline scarce coin.