The 2012 Singapore International Coin Fair (SICF) Panda Medals are issued by China Great Wall Coins Investments Limited, minted by Shenzhen Guobao Mint and exclusively distributed by Panda America who is also the main organizer of the SICF.
Being the first Panda Medal since 1997 Munich International Coin Fair, the SICF Panda Medal offers 4 denominations of 99.9% fineness proof quality coins for collectors to choose from.
Gold
1/2 oz / 27 mm Diameter / Mintage: 2,500 / Issue Price: US$1,995
5 oz / 60 mm Diameter / Mintage: 99 / Issue Price: Unknown
Silver
1 oz / 40 mm Diameter / Mintage: 10,000 / Issue Price: US$175
5 oz / 70 mm Diameter / Mintage: 2,500 / Issue Price: US$495
Sale of the Panda Medals began as early as late February 2012 and delivery of the Medals was expected to be during the SICF for collectors who pre-ordered them. Based on QC stickers seen on the plastic vinyl sheet that sealed the 5 oz Silver Panda Medal, earliest QC was done on 28 February 2012. Unfortunately, the die broke around the 225th Medal, as announced by Panda America President, Mr. Peter Yeung. A second die had to be used to continue the production and hence resulted in another variety of the 5 oz Medal.
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| Outer Box |
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Inner Case
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| Certificate of Authenticity |
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| Double Sealed Medal in Case |
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| 2012 SICF 5 oz Panda Medal Obverse |
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| 2012 SICF 5 oz Panda Medal Reverse - depicting Sands Expo & Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands Singapore and the Great Wall of China |
Varieties of the Medals created mixed emotions among collectors. Or perhaps the negative comments came from people who did not purchase the Medal. As one who has vested interest in the Medal, I was excited to find out whether I got the rarer 1st Die Variety. A fellow collector has taken some pictures to share the differences on each variety.
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1st Die Variety
Source: mysilvercoins.blogspot.com |
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2nd Die Variety
Source: mysilvercoins.blogspot.com |
Differences can be seen on the ears, nose and also the eyes. Collectors or buyers should not take the COA number as reference to whether it is 1st or 2nd Die Variety. Neither should they be taking reference from the QC date. They should look at the panda on the right of the Medal to judge for themselves.
The 1st Die Variety would definitely fetch a higher selling given that it is less than 10% of the population. However, that would depend on the performance of the SICF Medals themselves. Being the inaugural SICF Medal, the 2012 version would depend on whether there would be more of such medals to be issued during the next SICF. I would sure like to see the SICF Medals run for 10 consecutive years (1988 - 1997) like the Munich International Coin Expo Medals.
