Panda Perfection: A Starter Guide to China’s Silver Panda Bullion Series
I can still remember the first time I held a large silver bullion coin. It wasn’t a panda, but still – wow. If you’ve ever seen one close up, or felt its weight in your hand, you know the feeling; it’s an odd mixture of awe and wonder. Even though I had grown up with a coin collector in the house, until then the most impressive coin I’d seen was a Buffalo nickel. Don’t get me wrong, those are something else too, but… sometimes bigger IS better!
About the series & how to collect it
China’s silver Panda series was first issued in 1983 – one year after the gold pandas debuted. Aside from its adorable and popular theme, these coins are famous as one of the few bullion coins in the world to change their reverse design each year. The country froze the design in 2001, meaning a design was repeated for the first time (in 2002). It wasn’t long before collector complaints made it perfectly clear just how unpopular that move was, and unique designs began once again in 2003.
One piece of China’s panda coin design has remained unchanged from the start. Each year, the obverse features the Hall of Prayer for Abundant Harvests, a part of Beijing’s majestic Temple of Heaven. Although the obverse has seen slight changes over time, the main design featuring this incredible feat of architecture has held strong.
Just like with any collection, the different ways to collect China Panda coins are as open as your imagination. I know many people like to own one coin from each year, put together in a nice display album. The earliest silver Panda coins can be harder to locate now, so some collectors choose to build their collection from 1989-date.
Fun new 2014 Panda design
The latest reverse for 2014 is another “win” for this silver bullion series. A young panda is shown sitting with a tree branch, while a patch of his favorite food, bamboo, runs along the background. Although it isn’t my favorite design (personally, I like the 2005 reverse), it’s still completely adorable and heart-warming.
It’s been more than 30 years since the first silver Panda coins rolled off China’s mint presses – yet this series continues to win the hearts of collectors around the world. And with any luck, it will for generations to come.
I’m curious – if you collect silver Pandas, how do you choose to build your collection? Please let me know in the comments below!
I am the owner of 10 yuan of 83, 84, 85, 5 yuan WWF 86, 87 – 50 yuan, 10 yuan, 88 – 50 yuan, 89 10 yuan. They have sat resting in my safe deposit box since the year of the mintage with no handling. They sit in their chinese wooden boxes with certificate of authenticity, serial numbered. They are very beautiful, pristine, shiny with some frosted highlights. The yearly change of the front of the pandas is very cool. I am looking for a buyer. I’m getting up there in age & would like to find a new home for these beautiful panda coins.
Hi Cindy, it sounds like a nice collection. You’re welcome to contact our Coin Buying Department about selling your coins. They’re available from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. The number is 1-877-857-7850. Have a great day! -Rick
I’m not sure if this is still an active thread, but I’ll take my chances!
I have a few 2014, 2015 and 2016 Silver Pandas, all encapsulated, all graded ms70 by PCGS, and all accompanied by a letter signed by the managing director of the Chinese mint stating their first strike status. domin_r@hotmail.com
Hi Dominique, To find the value or to sell your coins, you can contact our Coin Buying Department. https://www.littletoncoin.com/shop/Coins-To-Sell .
They are also available by phone from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 1-877-857-7850.
Did you sell all these Cindy?