Platinum Chinese Panda

The Platinum Chinese Panda was produced by the People’s Bank of China from 1987 to 2005. Like its gold and silver counterparts, the Platinum Panda derives its name from the image of a giant panda printed on the reverse the coin. The design of the coin changes nearly every year making them a target for collectors seeking to build sets of all Panda designs. These platinum pandas feature the same designs as their gold counterparts for the year in which they were released. Platinum Pandas have very low mintages compared to their gold and silver counterparts and thus are very popular among collectors especially in Asia, North America, and Europe.

Mintage and Availability

8,300 one-ounce Platinum Pandas were minted by the People’s Bank of China between 1987 and 1990 with a face value of 100 Yuan. Additionally, 5,450 ounces of platinum were struck in a variety of smaller denomination coins in the 1990s and early 2000s. These sizes ranges from 1/20 of an ounce to 1-ounce. Minting was discontinued in 2005, mostly due to the increasing price of platinum.

Assembling a complete set of Chinese Platinum Pandas is a goal for many collectors but one that is very difficult to achieve. All Platinum Pandas are very scarce, with the possible exception of the 2004 and 2005 editions. As with other Panda coins, availability is often ever less than would be expected given the mintages. This is due to the incredible popularity of the coins on the world market and number of collectors who horde them.

Design of the Platinum Chinese Panda

The coin’s obverse displays Beijing’s Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in The Temple of Heaven complex. This complex, built in the early 1400’s is set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. Its design is intended to symbolize the relationship between earth and heaven.

The reverse shows different portraits of pandas that change every year (except for 2001 and 2002, which share the same design).

The Chinese people have often used the term “white gold” to refer to “platinum” even though white gold and platinum are two entirely different metals. The early Platinum Pandas such as those minted between 1987–1990 displayed Chinese characters meaning “white gold” as apposed to “platinum”.

In 1987 China issued a limited-edition Commemorative Platinum Panda displaying the World Trade Center Twin Towers and New York City’s skyline, along with the Great Wall of China.

Each Platinum coin from China has tremendous value and collectability that adds to any investor’s portfolio. Platinum Pandas are perhaps the most sought-after platinum coin on the global market. Midas Gold Group regularly buys and sells these coins on the wholesale market and to our clients. If you are interested in adding the Platinum Chinese Panda to your portfolio, Midas Gold Group can help you do so. Call us to ask about availability or to be put on an alert list when they are available.