2023 Proof 40th Anniversary Silver Panda

Just Released! 2023 40th Anniversary Silver Panda Proofs

Perfect Gold and Silver Commemorative Proofs, with Labels Hand-Signed by Tong Fang

China Silver Panda coins have been a big deal in the numismatic world since they were introduced 40 years ago—one year after the introduction of their Gold Panda siblings. This year, to commemorate this four-decade milestone, comes the release of these special 40th Anniversary Silver Proofs paying homage to that original 1983 Panda design created by renowned Chinese artist Yu Min—with a modern adaptation of the original design as seen through the eyes of well-known contemporary Panda coin designer Ms. Tong Fang.

Yu Min is a renowned Chinese sculptor and designer—a giant in the field who has designed more Chinese coins than anyone else. Unlike many other nation’s annual coin series (such as the U.S. Silver Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and South African Krugerrand), China’s Panda coin releases have featured a different, one-year-only reverse design every year since the series’ inception. (The only exception to this came in 2002 when the same Panda image from 2001 was re-used.)

These 40th Anniversary Commemoratives Have Ties to those 1983 Silver Pandas

Both the obverse and reverse design on these 2023 40th Anniversary Silver Pandas closely mimic the original designs that appeared on the initial 1983 Silver Panda, making this release very special. Like all Panda coins, the obverse depicts the Hall of Prayers located within the Temple of Heaven, one of the most famous landmarks in China. On the reverse, well-known modern Panda coin designer Tong Fang created a modern adaptation of the original 1983 Panda coin featuring a close-up view of a Mother Panda seated on a mound eating a bamboo branch beside her cub.

The Missing Specifications

A little-known fact about the original Silver Panda coins is that they were deliberately issued without specification information (such as metal, weight, and purity) listed anywhere on the coin. This was done at the request of the Shanghai Mint Director at the time. This is especially odd considering the China Gold Panda coins issued that same year include the specification on the reverse side of the coin!! Future versions of the China Silver Pandas included the specification data.

To help maintain the integrity of the original design, yet still adhere to the modern practice of including specifications, those references have been cleverly etched BY HAND along the outer edge of each 2023 40th Anniversary Silver Panda proof, at the 6 o’clock position. This very painstaking process has been applied to each coin one at a time!

Minted in Shanghai, China

Each stunning gold and silver proof was struck in Shanghai, China – the same location that the 1983 Panda coinage was produced at. This is a fitting tribute to the original Panda coinage that these stunning 40th anniversary commemorative Proofs celebrate!

Struck in 99.9% Gold and Silver with a Proof Finish

These 40th Anniversary China Silver Panda Proofs come with a handsome Proof finish with frosted elements rising from brilliant, mirrored backgrounds. Though the original 1983 China Silver Pandas were struck in 90% silver, the Commemorative Proofs here all have a 99.9% fineness to keep with the modern practice used to produce modern China Panda coinage. Choose yours struck in 150 grams or 30 grams of 99.9% fine silver. There is also a special one-ounce gold option struck in 99.9% purity. For those wishing to own all three sizes, a 3-Pc. Set is also available at a BIG savings over purchasing each Proof singlely!

What’s So Great About Proofs?

These 40th Anniversary Silver 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. On a good day, proof coins can be produced at a rate of 50 to 100 an hour by highly skilled artisans who are creating numismatic masterpieces. Bullion coins, on the other hand, can be produced at up to 750 coins per minute. Collectors love proofs because they’re the best quality, and also because their quantities are limited compared to circulated and non-proof pieces.

Collectors Covet the Best Quality…

For any collectible item, collectors want the finest quality available. That’s why they seek out proofs that are perfect. Proofs and coins are graded on a 70-point scale, with a grade of 70 representing absolute perfection. There is no higher grade.

…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. 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. There’s simply no better condition—and no grades more coveted by collectors.

What’s Better than the Best?

These 40th Anniversary Silver Panda Proofs have not only earned perfect grades, they are also certified with the desired First Day of Issue (FDI) designation—which means these Proofs were received for grading within the first 24 hours of release from the mint.

And There’s More—Hand-Signed Signature Labels

Each proof is encapsulated with a custom silver-colored NGC label featuring an authentic, hand-signed signature of the reverse designer Ms. Tong Fang—renowned within the numismatic community for her designs. It is rumored that she has also been selected to create the Panda coin design that will be released in 2027.

PLUS…with the 3-Pc. Set…a Hand-Signed Letter From Designer Yu Min

Each 3-Pc. Set will include a letter composed and hand-signed by Yu Min, the Chinese designer who created the original 1983 Silver Panda reverse design. He describes his process for creating the design and the importance of the China Panda coin series to numismatics.

Extremely Limited Mintages

Authorized mintages for these 2023 China Silver Panda 40th Anniversary Commemorative Proofs are tiny. Just 199 of the 1-ounce gold proofs, just 983 of the 150-gram silver proofs, and just 2,500 of the 30-gram silver proofs were authorized for production. Fewer are available with perfect grades, FDI designations, and hand-signed labels. Just take a look at these gorgeous proofs to see why they’ll hold a treasured spot in your collection!

2023 One-Ounce Gold China Silver Panda 40th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Tong Fang

One Ounce of 99.9% Gold
Original 1983 Yu Min Design Reimagined by modern Panda coin designer Tong Fang
High Relief Design, Proof Finish
Beautiful Commemorative Design, Proof Finish
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
Labels Hand-Signed by Designer Tong Fang
Deluxe Wooden Presentation Case
Only 199 Authorized for Worldwide Distribution
Limited Availability

2023 150-Gram Silver China Silver Panda 40th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Tong Fang

150 Grams of 99.9% Silver
Original 1983 Yu Min Design Reimagined by modern Panda coin designer Tong Fang
High Relief Design, Proof Finish
Beautiful Commemorative Design, Proof Finish
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
Labels Hand-Signed by Designer Tong Fang
Only 983 Authorized for Worldwide Distribution
Limited Availability

2023 30-Gram Silver China Silver Panda 40th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Tong Fang

30 Grams of 99.9% Silver
Original 1983 Yu Min Design Reimagined by modern Panda coin designer Tong Fang
High Relief Design, Proof Finish
Beautiful Commemorative Design, Proof Finish
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
Labels Hand-Signed by Designer Tong Fang
Only 2,500 Authorized for Worldwide Distribution
Limited Availability