Chinese Gold Panda

Overview

The 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda was first introduced in 1982. Every year since, the Chinese mint has produced a new version of this coin, making them fun to collect due to their changing design. Multiple mints in China produce these coins, including mints in Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Shenyang. Chinese gold panda coins are also widely sought out because of the animal they celebrate: the beloved panda, one of the most popular symbols of Chinese culture.

Chinese Gold Panda History

1982 marked the first year of Chinese Gold Panda coins, which were issued in 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., and 1/10 oz. sizes, in addition to the full 1 oz. coin. Since that year, the Chinese mint was issued a new version each year in these sizes, as well as a 1/20 oz. size introduced in 1983. Some years also saw the Chinese mint produce larger sizes of Chinese Gold Pandas, such as 5 oz. and 20 oz., but these sizes were not consistently released throughout the coin’s history. Despite the different sizes, many experts agree that the 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda is the best coin to truly capture the amazing design elements. In other words, this one just looks the best as compared to other sizes.

Investors appreciate the gold fineness level found in each 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda, as well as the high demand for the coins from the general consumer market. Collectors appreciate the fun and loveable designs of each version of the Chinese Gold Panda, which leads many people to collect the entire series and seek out each year, or specific years in order to complete the collection.

A similar Chinese Silver Panda series was also introduced in 1983.

1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda Design and Specifications

The design of each 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda is likely the most intriguing aspect for most people. The reason is because the design has changed every year, with one exception noted below. This annual design change is always reflected on the reverse (back) side and always impacts the coin’s featured animal, the panda. Let’s look at some more details.

The obverse (front) side of the coin is consistent. It always showcases the famed Temple of Heaven, a historic set of buildings in Beijing, originally constructed in the early 1400s. The image of this temple is a symbol of pride for China. "Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo," which means “People’s Republic of China,” is also written in Chinese characters on the obverse side, as well as the minting year.

While the obverse side of the 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda coin celebrates China’s historical monument, the reverse (back) side celebrates the country’s more playful side. No matter the year, the reverse side of the 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda features a panda, and often some bamboo or other accessories. The first Chinese Gold Panda in 1982 showed the panda sitting upright holding bamboo. The next year saw the panda walking on all fours underneath bamboo branches. In 1984 the panda was eating bamboo, and in 1985 the panda was swinging from it. In 1987 the panda was drinking from a pool of water nearby a bamboo tree, while in 1992 the panda was perched high atop a bamboo tree. In the late 1990s, more of the panda’s surroundings were introduced, such as tree branches, trunks, ground, hills, and cliffs. In 2004, a second panda was introduced, and to the delight of many, it was a baby! We seemed to see the baby grow up a bit over the next few years, and in 2009, two pandas of identical size were shown eating bamboo together. Does this mean the baby grew into an adult? Perhaps. In 2010, two pandas are portrayed playing together, but in 2011 and 2012, there is again a baby and a parent in the design. Needless to say, the designs of the different 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda coins over the years have been fascinating and intriguing. The one exception was in 2002, when the design of the reverse side was identical to the design of the 2001 coin, after a design freeze in 2001. However, in response to many critics, the design freeze was lifted with a new design in 2003 and each year since.

The reverse side has also shown the coin’s face value (500 Yuan), as well as the inscription “1 oz Au .999,” which refers to the one ounce of gold found in the coin, and the fineness level of the gold (.999, or 99.9% fine gold). However, in 2015 versions, the coin’s composition and weight will not be displayed on the coin. This has been the cause for much discussion among the gold and silver investment community, and time will tell whether this trend continues.

1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda coins weigh about 31.1 grams, with a diameter of about 32.05 mm and a thickness of about 2.7 mm.

Chinese Gold Panda Purity and Value

The .999 fineness score of 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda coins is quite respectable amongst both collectors and investors. The Chinese mint has taken some scrutiny at times over inconsistent quality production, and some people have reported reddish spots on some of the earlier versions of this coin due to copper content and poor coin condition. However, the mint uncirculated condition coins are stunning and brilliant. Much more than just a cool design, the 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda coins are also an excellent investment and source of gold value for buyers.

A number of factors play into the actual value of your 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda coin. The coin itself represents one ounce of fine gold, so you can check gold’s latest price per ounce to determine a rough idea of the coin’s value. For example, if gold is currently priced at $1300 per ounce, then your one ounce Chinese Gold Panda coin may be valued at approximately $1300. However, you can’t stop there. Gold’s trends in the market, forecasts, and consumer demand all play a role in the actual value of your coin. The coin itself, including its condition, also is important.  

Other factors may make your coin more valuable to buyers than the actual true value of your coin. For example, to a buyer looking for a specific year, or looking to complete a collection, the 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda coin you own may be more valuable, and thus, yield a higher return should you choose to sell it.

Your purchase of a 1 oz. Chinese Gold Panda from ITM Trading is always guaranteed and insured, plus free shipping is available. You may be able to receive a discount depending on your payment method and/or quantity of coins you order.