2022 40th Anniversary Panda

Just Released! 2022 40th Anniversary Gold Panda Proofs

It likely won’t come as a shock to you that China Panda coinage is a big deal in the numismatic world—and has been since they were introduced 40 years ago. That’s right, 2022 represents the 40th anniversary of the China Mint’s famous Panda coin series, and to commemorate this milestone, these special 40th Anniversary Proofs pay homage to that original Panda design created by renowned Chinese artist Chen Jian, with a modern adaptation as seen through the eyes of well-known Panda coin designer Ms. Tong Fang.

This release was officially approved by China Gold Coin Group Company Ltd. (CGCG), the national governing body that controls all of the country’s precious metal bullion and Panda coin programs. Panda coin designs are closely protected by CGCG. These 2022 40th Anniversary Panda Proofs are unique in that both the obverse (Temple of Heaven) and reverse (Seated Panda with a bamboo chute) design – closely mimic the original images that appeared on the 1982 Panda.

The Original China Panda

A unique fact about the original Panda coin series is that it was deliberately issued without a denomination on it—though it traded as a legal-tender coin in China. This was done to emulate the gold coin series it was meant to compete with—the South African Krugerrand. The value of those coins was tied to their gold purity value and not to a fixed denomination. Future versions of the China Panda were all given face values.

The artist chosen to design the first Panda coins, Chen Jian, beat out nine other competitors to gain the opportunity. Jian was already known for his designs on coins such as the 1979 Year of the Child and the 1980 Archer. One of the elements that have made China Panda coins unique as compared to other world bullion coins is that the reverse changes each year. With the exception of 2002 (which shared the same design as 2001), the Panda coin releases have had a different reverse design since the series’ inception.

These 40th Anniversary Commemoratives Have Ties to that 1982 Panda

Both the obverse and reverse design on the 2022 40th Anniversary Pandas closely mimic the original designs that appeared on the 1982 Panda, making the inclusion of a seated Panda (reverse) and Temple of Heaven (obverse) on this program very special.

When the Panda coins series was released in 1982, the coins were issued in four different sizes: one-ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce and one-tenth ounce. The series was issued in varying ounce sizes until 2016 when the China Mint switched the series to sizes struck in gram weights. This special commemorative release not only includes all four original weights—along with special kilo and five-ounce sizes—but it also features Proofs struck to the same specifications as the originals!

Exquisite High Relief Design

The obverse depicts one of the most famous landmarks in China, the Temple of Heaven along with the commemorative dates of issue. The inclusion of this image is very important given it has appeared on all Panda coins since the series’ inception 40 years ago. The reverse features a modern adaptation of the original 1982 Panda coin design as envisioned by well-known Panda coin designer Ms. Tong Fang, renowned within the numismatic community for several of her Chinese commemorative designs as well as her 2019 and 2021 Panda coin designs.

Struck in 99.9% Gold with a Proof Finish

These 40th Anniversary China Gold Panda Proofs come with a handsome Proof finish with frosted elements rising from brilliant, mirrored backgrounds. Choose a 4-Pc. Set consisting of pieces struck in one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce or one-tenth ounce 99.9% gold, or individual pieces struck in one kilo, five ounces or one ounce of 99.9% gold.

What’s So Great About Proofs?

These 40th Anniversary Panda Proofs are struck to a much higher standard of beauty, quality, and craftsmanship than non-proofs. Proof planchets (blanks) are specially treated, hand-polished, and cleaned to ensure high-quality strikes, then fed into presses fitted with specially polished dies and struck at least twice, unlike regular coins which are struck only once. The extra strikes give proofs a glamorous shine and make intricate, razor-sharp details of the design pop against polished, mirror-like fields. While non-proofs are struck on high-speed presses by the thousands, proofs are individually struck by highly skilled artisans who are creating numismatic masterpieces. Collectors love proofs because they’re the best quality, and also because their quantities are limited compared to circulated and non-proof pieces.

Why Are Proof Quantities So Limited?

The extra time and effort required by the mint to produce proofs compared to regular coins is one of the big reasons there are far fewer proofs minted each year than non-proof coins. On a good day, proof coins can be produced at a rate of 50 to 100 an hour. Bullion coins, on the other hand, can be produced at up to 750 coins per minute.

Collectors Covet for the Best Quality…

For any collectible item, collectors want the finest quality available. That’s why collectors covet proofs. Proofs and coins are graded on a 70-point scale, with a grade of 70 representing absolute perfection. These are the grades most sought-after by collectors.

…And These Commemoratives Are the Best Quality!

The proofs here have been certified as flawless Proof-70 (PF70) by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), one of the top coin-grading services in the world. There is no higher grade. Not only that but they’ve also been certified Ultra Cameo (UC), a designation given to coins that possess an intense frosted finish on both sides, with highly polished fields accenting the raised elements. The number of coins from a mintage that can be certified flawless and Ultra Cameo is tiny. There’s simply no better condition—and no grades more coveted by collectors.

What’s Better than the Best?

These 40th Anniversary Gold Panda Proofs have not only earned perfect grades, they’ve also qualified for the desired First Day of Issue (FDI) designation. The FDI designation means these Proofs were received for grading within the first 24 hours of release from the mint. First Day of Issue proofs are thought to have crisper strikes than those struck later because the dies are considered to be fresh with less mileage on them when the planchet is struck on the press—and because there are so few of them compared to the overall population.

And There’s More—Hand-Signed Signature Labels

Each NGC label features an authentic, hand-signed signature of the designer Ms. Tong Fang. Ms. Tong is renowned within the numismatic community for her designs, and she has already been selected to design next year’s 2023 Panda coin as well as Panda coinage released in 2027.

PLUS…a Hand-Signed Letter From Former Shanghai Mint Director

As a bonus, a hand-signed letter from former Chinese mint director Peter Gu—who served at the Shenyang Mint from 2008 to 2014 and the Shanghai Mint from 2014 to 2017—will be included with each purchase. Mr. Gu was heavily involved with this special commemorative program, so he will talk about that experience as well as other elements of the famous Panda series.

Mintages—Lucky but Extremely Limited

In Chinese culture, the number “8” is considered very lucky. For example, parents will seek out “lucky” paper currency with multiple 8’s in their serial numbers as gifts for Chinese New Year. The more 8’s, the greater the luck! Keeping this important cultural idea in mind, this release comes with special limited mintages, each incorporating the number “8”—8 kilo gold proofs authorized, 18 five-ounce gold proofs, and 188 one-ounce gold proofs. Even fewer are available and certified by NGC as perfect PF70 UC and FDI with hand-signed labels. With so few proofs available, the collectors that secure one will indeed be “lucky”.

Just for comparison’s sake, the availability for this year’s regular issue 2022 Panda Proofs was 1,000-kilo gold, and 10,000 150-gram gold.

Check out these exquisite 40th Anniversary Gold Panda Proofs for yourself!

2022 Gold China Panda 40th Anniversary Commemorative 4-Pc. Set PF70 UC FDI Tong Fang

4-Pc. Set:
-One-Ounce 99.9% Gold
-One-Half Ounce 99.9% Gold
-One-Quarter Ounce 99.9% Gold
-One-Tenth Ounce 99.9% Gold

Original 1982 Chen Jian Design Reimagined by Tong Fang
High Relief Design, Proof Finish
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
Labels Hand-Signed by Designer Tong Fang
Includes Hand-Signed Letter from former Chinese Mint Director Peter Gu
Deluxe Wooden Presentation Box
Limited Availability

2022 Kilo Gold China Panda 40th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Tong Fang

Kilo 99.9% Gold
Original 1982 Chen Jian Design Reimagined by Tong Fang
High Relief Design, Proof Finish
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
Labels Hand-Signed by Designer Tong Fang
Includes Hand-Signed Letter from former Chinese Mint Director Peter Gu
Deluxe Wooden Presentation Box
Only 8 are Authorized for Worldwide Distribution
Limited Availability

2022 Five-Ounce Gold China Panda 40th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Tong Fang

Five Ounces 99.9% Gold
Original 1982 Chen Jian Design Reimagined by Tong Fang
High Relief Design, Proof Finish
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
Labels Hand-Signed by Designer Tong Fang
Includes Hand-Signed Letter from former Chinese Mint Director Peter Gu
Deluxe Wooden Presentation Box
Only 18 Authorized for Worldwide Distribution
Limited Availability

2022 One-Ounce Gold China Panda 40th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Tong Fang

One Ounce 99.9% Gold
Original 1982 Chen Jian Design Reimagined by Tong Fang
High Relief Design, Proof Finish
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
Labels Hand-Signed by Designer Tong Fang
Includes Hand-Signed Letter from former Chinese Mint Director Peter Gu
Deluxe Wooden Presentation Box
Only 188 Authorized for Worldwide Distribution
Limited Availability