The new 2012 1/2 oz Gold Chinese Panda coins celebrate one of China’s most prized symbols, the Giant Panda bear. These legal tender gold coins are adored worldwide for their unsurpassed quality, fresh original designs, relatively low mintages, and high gold content. The highly collectible Panda series of gold coins began in 1982. Each size in the Panda collection is 99.9 % pure gold.
The face value & purity level are prominently displayed on the coin's reverse side. The 2012 obverse design of the gold Panda depicts an adult panda seated with a young Panda against a backdrop of bamboo plants. Unlike other bullion coins such as the American gold Eagle & the Canadian gold Maple Leaf, Chinese Panda coins are not issued in the millions, with many issuances under 50,000 pieces, which is attractive to many collectors and investors.
Specifications
| IRA Eligible: |
Yes |
| Gold Content: |
1/2 troy oz (15.5175 g) |
| Composition: |
24 karat (99.9% fine) |
| Weight: |
1/2 troy oz (15.5175 g) |
| Diameter: |
27 mm |
| Thickness: |
1.85 mm |
| Grade: |
Brilliant Uncirculated |
| Year: |
2012 |
| Denomination: |
200 Yuan |
| Mint: |
People’s Bank of China / China Gold Coin Incorporation |
Obverse/Front Design
The obverse side has largely remained unchanged between 1982 and 1991; however, the design illustrating the Temple of Heaven in Beijing has been enclosed within an inner circle since 1992. The inscription references “People’s Republic of China” (in Chinese) and the year in which the coin was minted below the Temple.
The Temple of Heaven (“TianTan”) is in a large park in Beijing which measures approximately 273 hectares. The most important building is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (which can be seen on the coin), which dates back to 1420 during the Ming dynasty. Chinese Emperors were accustomed to come to TianTan each year in early spring to pray for abundant harvests and national prosperity.
Reverse/Back Design
The reverse side of the Chinese Panda gold coin is unique in that aside from always featuring a giant panda bear(s), the portrait of the panda changes every year. This was an exception in 2001 & 2002 when it was the same for both years. Between 1982 and 1986, Gold Panda obverse and reverse designs were developed by CBPM (China Mint Company). Since 1987, China Gold Coin Incorporation has been responsible for all designs. Displayed nears the pandas head is the face value of the coin. Below the panda is the coins gold weight and gold content.
The People’s Bank of China
The People’s Bank of China (PBC) was established in 1948. China Gold Coin Incorporation (CGCI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the PBC. CGCI is responsible for designing China’s precious metal coins, as well as for their sale and marketing worldwide including the gold Panda bullion coins. Since 2005, Gold Panda bullion coins have all been manufactured at the Shenzhen Guobao Mint, which is owned by CGCI and located about 1,800 km south of Beijing.
The 2012 1/2 oz Gold Chinese Panda Coin is IRA Eligible
For more information on Precious Metal IRAs, please visit our IRA Page: Precious Metal IRA
Fun Facts
A newborn Panda cub is 1/900th the size of its mother and is comparable to the length of a stick of butter. Giant Pandas don’t roar like other bears, but bleat like goats, or honk, growl and bark to communicate.
Stock photo only.