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The Panda Coin was born in 1982 with the creation of four gold bullion coins depicting the Chinese national symbol; the Panda Bear (熊猫). The coins were issued is four sizes, 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and 1 troy ounce of .999 pure gold. These first pandas had no denomination (no face value in Yuan), so technically they are considered medals rather than coins. However, in 1983 denominations were added making then coins, but 1982 has generally been "grandfathered-in" by collectors as the first panda "coin".
Over the next 32 years (to date), many denominations, types, and varieties of panda coins have been issued. The following tables and notes give an overview of the Panda Coins Issued by China.
I. Precious Metals
Pandas have been produced in several different precious metals.
II. Gold Pandas
The gold pandas may be considered the flagship of the series. 99.9% pure gold coins have been issued every year since 1982 in many different sizes, strikes, mints, and varieties.
The pandas can be divided in three main groups:
- Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Coins with denomination (face value)
- Proof Coins with denomination
- Official Commemorative panda medals with no face value
A. BU Gold Panda Coins
Brilliant Uncirculated coins, known as "BU" or "Mint State (MS), are generally mass produced. BU Pandas have been made every year and represent what might be considered the standard panda coin. Except for 1982, they were issued in 5 sizes, comprising 1.9 ounces for a full BU set each year. The 5-coin annual sets are popular among Chinese collectors.
In 2001, the denominations were changed, but the weights remained (inflation!)
Panda BU Coins Issued by Denomination (Yuan)
In 1991, a 10th anniversary commemorative 3 Yuan, 1 gram BU coin was added.
B. Gold Panda Proofs
Proof coins are traditionally produced with a different process then BU coins. A proof is not a high quality BU coin, rather it is a coin produced by a special method: Dies and planchets are specially polished, and each coin is struck multiple times to produce a very sharp and often mirror-like coin. However, today's high quality mass-produced BU coins are often so sharp and shiny that they may look proof-like, so the China mint has helped us identify proofs by providing Certificates (COA) and somtimes a special "P" mark on the coin.
Proof Gold Panda Coins Issued by Denomination (Yuan)
*In 1991, a 10th anniversary commemorative 50 Yuan, 1 ounce "piefort" (double thick) proof and a xxxx Yuan, 5 Kg (160 oz) proof coin were added.
**In 2007 a 25th anniversary 3 yuan, 1/25oz gold set of 25 coins was issued
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