Homepage / Bullion Coins: Chinese Coins / 30 gram & (1 oz.) - Chinese Silver Panda

---

---

---

Last Updated on 11/10/2024

Chinese Silver Panda 
Bullion Coin

30-gram & (1 oz.)

1983 - Present

The Chinese Panda bullion coins are officially known in China as the "Panda Precious Metal Commemorative Coins;" the coins have undergone numerous design changes, and all are explained in-depth on this page.

In 1983, one year after the Chinese started to mint the Gold Panda Bullion coins, they introduced the Silver Panda coin as a proof coin.

The 1983, 1984, and 1985 Silver Panda coins had a maximum mintage of 10,000; the coin contained 900 silver, had a diameter of 38.6 mm, and weighed only 27 grams.

There were no Silver Pandas minted in 1986.

In 1987, the Chinese brought back the Silver Panda, but as a way to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin.   This coin had a limited mintage of 31,000, and it was the first Silver Panda coin to contain 999 pure silver, it had a diameter of 40mm, and weigh 1 oz. (troy ounce).

There were no Silver Pandas minted in 1988.

In 1989, the bullion version of the Chinese Silver Panda bullion coin debuted; mass production began this year to meet customer demand.

Large & Small Dated
Chinese Silver Pandas

From 1989 to 2001, two Chinese mints produced the 1oz Silver Panda bullion coin; each mint had slightly different dies for minting the coin's obverse, which caused slight variations to the bullion coin's "year of issue."

The Shenyang Mint produced a 'Small Date' with skinny, short numbers with wide spacing, while the Shanghai Mint produced a 'Large Date' with taller, thicker, more compact numbers.

The size difference in the coin's "year of issue" ended in 2001.

Obverse Design Changes
Chinese Silver Panda
1989 - Present

The obverse design of the 1989 1oz. Silver Panda bullion coin has the same features and inscriptions as the current one; however, the coin's layout has had several changes. (click coin photos to enlarge)

The centerpiece of the Chinese Silver 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." 

1989-1991 Chinese Silver Panda Obverse 1989 - 1991 The initial design (1989-1991) depicts the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests spanning the coin from rim to rim. These coins were minted with a proof-like mirror finish. 1992 to 1999 The 1oz Silver Pandas produced from 1992 to 1999 introduced a wide border with a raised ring circling the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests; this style lasted until 2000. These coins were also minted with a proof-like mirror finish. 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 1 oz Silver Panda bullion coin and incorporated the use of incused lettering, giving the inscriptions a sunken-in or stamped look.

1992-1999 Chinese Silver Panda Obverse 2000 - Frosted (Shenyang Mint) Chinese Silver Panda Obverse 2000 - Mirrored (Shanghai Mint) Chinese Silver Panda Obverse 2001 to Present Chinese Silver Panda Obverse

Reverse Design Changes
Chinese Silver Panda
1989 to 2015

1989 Chinese Silver Panda
Reverse

1989 - 1991

1989 is the first year of the bullion version of the Chinese Silver Panda coin.

When the Chinese Silver Panda bullion coin was introduced, its weight, metal content, purity, and face value were inscribed on the reverse side in Chinese and in English.

1989 Chinese Silver Panda
with "Circled P" mint-mark
Reverse

1989-P, Proof version

In 1989, in addition to introducing the Chinese Silver Panda bullion coin, the Chinese released a proof version of the coin.

The proof versions of the silver coin had a "Circled P" mint mark on its reverse side, indicating the coin was a Proof coin; the coin also had a limited mintage. 

1992 Chinese Silver Panda
Reverse

(Note: The Chinese introduced the Gold Panda proof coin in 1986)

1992 - 2014

In 1992, the Chinese removed the inscriptions that were in the Chinese language for the coin's weight, metal content, purity, and face value.

2001-D

2001-D Chinese Silver Panda
"Large D"
Reverse

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 bullion coins were exclusively produced by Shenzhen National Treasure Mint Co., Ltd. and were made in only gold and silver. (mintage figures are currently unavailable)

Click to Enlarge

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

2014 Chinese Silver Panda
Reverse

The 2014 and 2015 Chinese Silver Panda bullion coins both weigh "1oz," both contain "Ag" (silver), and both have a silver purity of "999" however, the 2014 Chinese Silver Panda was the last Silver Panda bullion coin to have these inscriptions on its reverse side.

In 2015, all gold and silver 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.

2015 Chinese Silver Panda
Reverse

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

In 2016, the Chinese Gold Coin Corporation (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 stated in the excerpt below, taken from a Chinese Gold Coin Corporation (CHNGC) article, explains this:

2016 - 30 gram
Chinese Silver Panda
Reverse

"...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 Corporation (CHNGC): Analysis Edition Panda gold and silver commemorative coins 2016 outlook  

Coin Information
1 oz. Silver Panda Bullion Coin
1989 - 2015

In 2015, the bullion coin was minted with the same weight and size as the 2014 silver panda bullion coin, despite the removal of the size and weight inscription.

Design of the
Chinese Silver Panda
2016 to Today

Obverse

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Displayed in the center of the Chinese Silver 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 Corporation

Reverse

Every year, all Chinese Panda bullion coins receive a new design of a Chinese Panda.

The reverse side of the 2025 Chinese Silver Panda bullion coin depicts a mother panda with her cubs.

Inscriptions:

• 30g
• Ag
• .999
• 10元 - (10 Yuan)
  

Coin Photo provided courtesy of the Chinese Gold Coin Corporation

Coin Information
30 gram Silver Panda
2016 - Present

Silver Content:.......30g (.9645 troy oz)

---

Purchase Chinese Silver Panda Bullion Coins

from the Reputable Bullion Dealers below.

The Links below will take you directly to the page described.

Chinese Silver Pandas

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

4.8 star Customer Reviews

---

Chinese Silver Pandas

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

5.0 star Customer Reviews

---

Chinese Silver Pandas

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

4.8 star Customer Reviews

---

Chinese Silver Pandas

Shipping prices vary by item

---

Notice This site receives a commission when you purchase from the merchants above. No Personal Information is Obtained by this guide when you visit or order from any of the merchants above. See this guide's Affiliate Disclosure page for more information: here)

1 oz. & 30 gram
Chinese Silver Panda Bullion Coins
& Mintage Figures

1983 - Present

In 1983, one year after the Chinese started to mint the Gold Panda Bullion coins, they introduced the Silver Panda coin as a proof coin

The 1983, 1984, and 1985 Silver Panda coins had a maximum mintage of 10,000; the coin contained 900 silver, had a diameter of 38.6 mm, and weighed only 27 grams.

There were no Silver Pandas minted in 1986.

In 1987, the Chinese brought back the Silver Panda, but as a way to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin.   This coin had a limited mintage of 31,000, and it was the first Silver Panda coin to contain 999 pure silver, it had a diameter of 40mm, and weigh 1 oz. (troy ounce).

There were no Silver Pandas minted in 1988.

In 1989, the bullion version of the Chinese Silver Panda bullion coin debuted; mass production began this year to meet customer demand.

Note: These sentences are found at the top of this page.

Year      Mintage

1983....10,000 (proof)

1984....10,000 (proof)

1985....10,000 (proof)

1987....31,000 (proof)

1989....255,000  (bullion coin debut)

1990....200,000

1991....100,000

1992....100,000

1993....120,000

1994....100,000

1995....168,000

1996....100,000

1997....600,000

1998....250,000

1999....unknown

Mirrored Obverse

2000....Shanghai Mint - Mirrored Obverse.....29,000

Frosted Obverse

2000.... Shenyang Mint - Frosted Obverse.....140,000

2001....500,000

2002....500,000

2003....600,000

2004....600,000

2005....600,000

2006....600,000

2007....600,000

2008....600,000

2009....600,000

2010....1,500,000

2011....6,000,000

2012....8,000,000

2013....8,000,000

2014....8,000,000

2015....8,000,000

2016....8,000,000

2017....10,000,000

2018....10,000,000

2019....10,000,000

2020....10,000,000

2021....10,000,000

2022....10,000,000

2023....10,000,000

2024....10,000,000

2025....10,000,000

Other Pages You May Like...

Silver Price Charts Vault Storage Brokerages 1 oz. Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coin Price Inflation

Home Page with Bullion Market News Gold Price Charts Gold to Silver Ratio 1 oz. Australian Silver Kookaburra Bullion Coin

Home Safes Buying Guide 1 oz. American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Johnson Matthey Bullion Refiner

1 oz. Mexican Silver Libertad Gold Buying Guide The Perth Mint & Australian Bullion

Chinese Silver Panda

Visit  the Chinese Bullion page 

OR

For Bullion Market News...

Visit the Homepage

Free-Bullion-Investment-Guide "Search" search engine by freefind advanced

ShareFacebookXPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsApp