Martin S. Collection of China Silver Panda 5 Yuan MS and PF 1/2oz
1998 PANDA HONG KONG EXPO MS

Owner Comments:

The 1998 Hong Kong International Coin Convention was the final B.U. coin in the ½ oz. silver series. 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.
The reported mintage is 30,000. 1998 was part of a period of lower demand for Asian coins in general and sales at the show were weak. Today the coin is neither common nor too hard to find. The coins are generally well struck and often grade well (P. Anthony).