1983 Silver Proof Panda

The inaugural Silver Panda coin was minted in 1983 - a year after the first Gold Panda coin was minted.

Diameter of 38.6mm, weighing just 27 g and fineness of 90%, the proof issue had a mintage of only 10,000. It was minted by Shanghai Mint and was packaged doubled-sealed in a box with Certificate of Authenticity (COA). However, it is not known what the issue price was back then.

Over the years, as the coins changed hands, it became more difficult to find a coin that has the original issued packaging. Hence, collectors are willing to pay more for original coin with COA than a coin that is not top graded.

There were less than 10 of this coin transacted in ebay for worldwide shipping.

Transacted prices as follows:

Coin in capsule - S$1,848.07 (US$1,336.00)

Double-sealed coin - S$1,682.88 (US$1,204.56)

Coin in capsule with COA & box - S$1,850.00 (US$1,413.89)

Double-sealed with COA & box - S$1,969.39 (US$1,400.00)

PCGS PR68 DCAM - S$1,593.14 (US$1,126.21)

NGC PF69 UCAM - S$4,662.08 (US$3,400.00)

There were 3 double-sealed coins transacted in January, July and lately, October. The increase in price from January to July and July to October was about 11% and 18% respectively, resulting in an overall increase of about 32%.

A similar percentage of increase is also observed for the original double-sealed coin with COA and box. Such a coin was transacted on 4 Aug 2009 for S$1,381, hence, accounting for nearly 34% increase. With less than 10,000 of such coins changing hands, there is a lot of potential for the 27 g coin to make another 35% gain in 2011.