2020 (G) China Silver Panda 10 Yuan NGC FDOI one of the first 20,000nstruck MS70 PANDA Label.
2020 (G) China Silver Panda 10 Yuan NGC FDOI one of the first 20,000nstruck MS70 PANDA Label.
The Chinese Silver Panda is a series of silver bullion coins issued by the People's Republic of China. The panda design changes every year and is minted in different sizes and denominations, ranging from 0.5 troy oz. to 1 kilogram. Starting in 2016, Pandas switched to metric sizes. The 1 troy ounce coin was reduced to 30 grams, while the 5 troy ounce coin was reduced to 150 grams. There is also a Gold Panda series issued featuring the same designs as the Silver Panda coins.
The first Silver Panda coins—issued 10 yuan Panda bullion in 1983, 1984, and 1985—were proof quality, with a precious metal content of 27 grams of 0.900 fine silver and a diameter of 38.6 mm. Mintages were only 10,000 for each year. No Silver Pandas were issued in 1986. The 1987 Silver Panda coins were minted in proof quality from 1 troy oz. of sterling (.925 fine) silver, with a diameter of 40 mm. Several mints produced Silver Panda coins over the years, including Shanghai, Shenyang, and Shenzhen. Unlike coins made by US and German mints that carry mintmarks to distinguish their origin, Chinese mints generally do not carry mintmarks. In certain years, there are minor variations in the coin design—such as the size of the date and temple that allow the originating mint to be determined. An example is 1996, when different mints produced coins with minor variations in the date's font size on the obverse. In 2015, the Gold and Silver Panda coins were not labeled with metal fineness and weight. This information returned in 2016 when the 1 troy ounce coin was replaced by the 30-gram coin (one troy ounce is approximately 31.1 grams).[1]
The official distributor in China for the Silver and Gold Panda coins is the China Gold Coin Incorporation (CGCI).
Taking the 1-ounce silver coin as an example, the authentic coin is only about 2.6 millimeters thick, whereas the counterfeit coin is more than 3 millimeters thick. If they are of the same thickness, the counterfeit coin will not weigh 31.1 grams.