Homepage / Bullion Coins: Chinese Coins / 15 gram & (1/2 oz.) Chinese Gold Panda
Last Updated on 11/10/2024
Chinese Gold Panda
15 gram & (1/2 oz.)
Bullion Coin
1982 - Present
The coins official name in China is "Panda Precious Metal Commemorative Coins."
The Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin's reverse side depicts one or more pandas in their native land (China), and the obverse side has always featured the 'Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests,' the largest building in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China.
The Chinese gold bullion coin series has been a favorite of investors and collectors; the coins often sell on the secondary market for premiums several times their original value.
History of the
Chinese Gold Panda Bullion Coin
The Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin is a series of gold bullion coins introduced, in 1982, by the People's Republic of China. (click photos to enlarge)
The Gold Panda bullion coins were introduced in the following sizes:
- 1 oz. (oz. = troy ounce)
- 1/2 oz.
- 1/4 oz.
- 1/10th oz.
The coins are produced with a purity of 999.0 fine gold.
In 1983, the 1/20th oz. Chinese Gold bullion coin was added to the series.
The gold panda bullion coins are issued in Proof-like quality with a different panda design each year.
In
2001, the Chinese government briefly stopped the annual design change
on the coin's reverse side, thus the 2001 and 2002 Gold Pandas are
identical.
However, after much opposition to the change was voiced by bullion investors and collectors, the Chinese reversed their decision and ever since 2003, the Chinese Panda bullion coins have a new panda design every year.
There have been other changes to the Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin, some of which are subtle and others more noticeable, all of which are detailed on this page.
Large & Small Dated
Gold Pandas
When the Chinese Gold Panda Bullion coin series was first introduced, in 1982, the coin was minted at one Chinese mint; the Shanghai Mint.
Then in 1987, China started to mint the bullion coins at another Chinese Mint, the Shenyang Mint. Between 1987-2000, the two mints produced all Chinese Panda bullion and proof versions of the coins.
So, can a person decipher which Chinese Mint produced the Chinese
Panda bullion coins, during this period? Yes, the Chinese
inadvertently made the coin's "year of issue" in different sizes, giving
an easy way to decipher where a coin originated.
The Shanghai Mint produced a Large Date with taller, thicker, more compact numbers, while the Shenyang Mint produced a Small Date with skinny, short, numbers that have a wider spacing.
The sizing difference in the coin's "year of issue" ended in 2001.
Obverse Design Changes to
the Chinese Gold Panda
1982 - Present
The obverse design of the 1982 Gold Panda bullion coin has the same
features and inscriptions as the current one; however, the coin's layout
has changed several times. (click coin photos to enlarge)
The centerpiece of the Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin features the 'Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests,' the largest building in the Temple of Heaven, located in Beijing, China.
The Temple of Heaven was built in the early 15th century during the reign of the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who also built Beijing's Forbidden City.
Displayed above the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests are these Chinese symbols, "中 華 人 民 共 和 國," which means "People's Republic of China."
1982 - 1991
The first design of the Chinese Gold Panda, 1982-1991, depicts the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests spanning the coin from rim to rim.
1992 - 1999
Gold Panda bullion coins produced from 1992 to 1999 added a wide border with a raised ring circling the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests: this style lasted through 2000.
2000
Frosted and Mirrored finishes
In 2000, the Chinese Panda bullion coin had two obverse sides made for them, each indicating the Mint that produced them.
- Chinese Panda bullion coins made from the Shenyang Mint had a 'frosted' finish on the wide border that wrapped around the perimeter of the bullion coin.
- Whereas, the Shanghai Mint produced Chinese Panda bullion coins with a "mirrored" finish on the broad border that encircled the bullion coin's perimeter.
2001 to Present
Since 2001, the Chinese raised the wide border that wraps around the perimeter of the Gold Panda bullion coin and incorporated the use of incused lettering, giving the inscriptions a deep, sunken-in look.
Reverse Inscriptions Changes to
the Chinese Gold Panda
1982 to 2015
1982
When the Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin was introduced in 1982, its inscriptions on the reverse side were entirely in Chinese, and it had no face value. (click coin photos to enlarge)
1983-1991
In 1983, the Chinese changed the reverse inscriptions to show the gold panda bullion coin's weight, metal content and purity in Chinese and in English.
The Chinese also gave the 1/2oz. Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin the face value of 50元 (50 Yaun).
1986
In 1986, the Chinese started to release a proof version of the Gold Panda bullion coin that had a limited mintage, in addition to the bullion version, which had a unlimited mintage.
The proof versions of the gold coin had a "P" Mint-mark on its reverse side, indicating the coin was a Proof.
1987
In 1987, the Chinese Panda bullion coins featured two unique mint marks: a "Diamond with an "S" inside" for the Shanghai Mint and a "Circle with a "Y" inside" for the Shenyang Mint.
1987
In 1987, the "S" & "Y" mint marks were only on bullion coins, not proof coins, and they were only on the Chinese Gold Panda bullion coins minted in that year (1987).
1992-2014
In 1992, the Chinese removed the inscriptions that were in the Chinese language for the coin's weight, metal content, purity. But they kept the Chinese symbol for the face value: Yaun (元).
2001 - Face Value Change
From 1983 thru 2000, the face value of the 1/2oz Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin was 50元 (50 Yaun). Since 2001, the face value of the 1/2oz gold bullion coin has been 200元 (200 Yaun).
2001-D
In an attempt to control imports and exports to and from China, the Chinese used the special "D" mint mark, which stood for "Domestic."
The mint mark indicated that these coins would only be sold to those
living in mainland China. However, over the years, the coin has been
bought and sold on the secondary market through many auction sites,
including eBay.
2001 was the only year the special "D" mint mark bullion coins were minted, the coins were exclusively produced by Shenzhen National Treasure Mint Co., Ltd. and were made in only gold and silver. (mintage figures are currently unavailable)
Despite being struck by a single mint, the bullion coins featured two different versions of the special "D" mint mark: one with a Large "D" and one with a Small "D."
The photo to the right displays the two versions.
Special mint mark "D" Chinese Panda source: CHNGC article (translator needed)
2014-2015 - Inscriptions Changed
The 2014 and 2015 Chinese Gold Panda bullion coins both weigh "1/2oz.," both contain "Au" (gold), and both have a gold purity of "999."
However, the 2014 Chinese Gold Panda was the last Gold Panda bullion coin to have these inscriptions on its reverse side.
In 2015, all silver and gold panda bullion coins had their reverse inscriptions erased except for their face value. (Photo - below right)
The Chinese gave no indication they were going to remove the inscriptions before they did so, and they gave little information regarding the removal, as stated in this 2014, CoinWorld article: 2015 Panda coins lack inscriptions for weight, metal, fineness.
Removing the inscriptions for the coin's weight, metal content, and purity put many dealers and investors on edge because it made it easier for counterfeiters to reproduce the coin.
Gold and silver Chinese panda bullion coins are among the most counterfeited bullion coins in the world.
The changes to the 2015 Chinese Panda bullion coins lasted for only one year because the Chinese planned for bigger changes to come to the bullion coins in 2016.
Reverse Inscriptions,
Ounces to Grams - 2016 to Present
2016
In 2016, the Chinese Gold Coin Company (CHNGC) changed the weight of all their precious metal bullion coins, including the Chinese Panda, from troy ounces to grams.
The Chinese government made the change from ounces to grams to make it easier for the average Chinese citizen to purchase the bullion coins; as explained in the excerpt below, taken from a Chinese Gold Coin Company article:
"...especially for the Chinese people who are not professional collectors, replacing "ounces" with "grams" is undoubtedly applauded"
"Ounce" is a very obscure word in the eyes of the Chinese people, such as 1/3 ounce, 1/10 ounce and 1/20 ounce gold and silver coins, and if the value is calculated according to the market price of gold and silver, these are very vague in the eyes of the common people, even if the relationship between ounces and grams is finally understood, it is still necessary to go through a complex conversion and calculation to get the result."
Source: Chinese Gold Coin Company Ltd. (CHNGC) - Analysis Edition Panda gold and silver commemorative coins 2016 outlook
It has been said that the Chinese Gold Coin Company, the Chinese Government entity that produces all of the country's bullion coins, likes to fulfill the requests of its customers, the weight change for the Panda Bullion Coins is an example of this fulfillment.
Coin Information
1/2 oz. Chinese Gold Panda
1982 - 2015
In 2015, the bullion coin was minted with the same weight and size as the 2014 gold panda bullion coin, despite the removal of the size and weight inscription.
Introduction:......1982
IRA Approved:....Yes
Grade:...............Uncirculated
Face Value:.......50元
Yuan - (1982 - 2000)
Face Value:.......200元 Yuan - (2001 - Present)
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Design of the
15-gram Chinese Gold Panda
2016 - Present
Obverse
Displayed in the center of the Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the largest building in the Temple of Heaven, located in Beijing, China.
Inscriptions:
- 中 華 人 民 共 和 國 (People's Republic of China)
- Year of Issue
The edge of the bullion coin is reeded.
Coin Photo provided courtesy of the Chinese Gold Coin Company
Reverse
Every year, all Chinese Panda bullion coins receive a new design of a Chinese Panda.
The reverse side of the 2025 Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin depicts a mother panda with her cubs.
Inscriptions:
- 15g
- Au
- .999
- 200元 - (200 Yuan)
Coin Photo provided courtesy of the Chinese Gold Coin Company
Coin Information
15 gram Chinese Gold Panda
2016 - Present
Gold Content:.......15 grams (.4822 troy oz)
Introduction:......2016
IRA Approved:....Yes
Grade:...............Uncirculated
Face Value:........200 Yuan
Purity:............99.90% / 999.0
Karat:.............22 karat
Diameter:.......27mm
Edge:.............Reeded
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1/2 oz. & 15 gram
Chinese Gold Panda Bullion Coin
Mintage Figures
Year Mintage
1982....13,391
1983....28,596
1984....20,057
1985....62,675
1986....48,618
1987....97,076
1988....220,443
1989....120,588
1990....35,091
1991....32,717
1992....26,495
1993....31,254
1994....16,788
1995....11,749
1996....13,849
1997....15,483
1998....4,163
1999....12,482
2000....20,811
2001....33,215
2002....28,514
2003....25,000
2004....42,000
2005....35,410
2006....25,600
2007....60,000
2008....60,000
2009....60,000
2010....120,000
2011....200,000
2012....600,000
2013....600,000
2014....600,000
2015....600,000
15 gram
2016....600,000
2017....600,000
2018....600,000
2019....600,000
2020....600,000
2021....600,000
2022....250,000
2023....200,000
2024....200,000
2025....200,000
Chinese Gold Panda
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