The History of the Chinese Silver Panda Coin
Taking a cue from the success of the 1982
Chinese Gold Panda Coin, the People’s Republic of China added silver coins
to the series in 1983. For over two decades, these silver Chinese Panda coins have
remained popular among collectors for their numismatic beauty and natural whimsy.
Meanwhile, investors appreciate the
silver Panda coins; because the coins’ purity, weight, and content are guaranteed
by the People’s Republic of China, no assaying is necessary to convert the coin
into cash. Thus the Silver Chinese Panda enjoys an outstanding reputation among
both collectors and investors.
### An Inconsistent Beginning
From 1983 to 1985, the silver Panda coin did not weight a proper troy ounce. Furthermore,
its fineness was only 90%. These were odd choices for
silver bullion coins, and in 1987, the fineness was increased to the standard
99.99%. No Chinese Silver Panda coin was issued in 1986 or 1988. Although it is
unknown exactly why no silver Panda coins were issued in these years, it has been
speculated that the 1988 mintage of the Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Dragon,
Olympics, and Endangered Wildlife coins took precedence.
### Expanding the Mintage ###
Until 1989, the
Chinese Silver Panda coins were minted only in Shanghai. However, as the
coins’ popularity grew, the People’s Republic of China increased mintage. In 1990,
the coins were also minted at Shenyang. By 1999, silver Panda coins were minted
in Shanghai, Shenyang, and Shenzhen.
The People’s Republic of China also added a 1 kilo silver coin to the series in
1998. Exactly 1,998 of the coins were minted. This unusual pattern was continued
for two years, with 1,999 coins issued in 1999, and 2,000 coins produced in 2000.
Production was capped at 2,000 1 kilo coins, until 2002. From 2002 to the present,
4,000 1 kg Chinese Silver Panda coins were minted, with the exception of 2003. Only
2,000 of these coins were minted that year. A special anniversary set, with a coin
from each year, was also issued in 2007.
### Iconic Design ###
Each year, the obverse of the
Panda coin features a different portrait of China’s most recognized wildlife.
In 2001, the People’s Republic of China froze the design, so the 2001 and 2002 Silver
Panda have the same obverse design. After collectors protested, however, that freeze
was lifted, and subsequent designs have been unique.
On the Chinese Silver Panda’s reverse is an extraordinary etching of the Temple
of Heaven. Located in Beijing, the Temple was built during the Ming Dynasty in the
fifteenth century, as a place for China’s royalty and elite to worship. This reverse
design has remained largely unchanged. However, in 1987, when the coin’s fineness
and weight were changed, the Temple of Heaven design was altered slightly: the number
of posts in the stone fence that surrounds the temple was changed.
The immense value and beauty of the Chinese Silver Panda coin have made it an extremely
successful addition to the world of international numismatics. These coins will
undoubtedly continue to appeal to collectors and investors alike.
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