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.

October Transacted Prices for Silver Panda

The following prices are averaged transacted prices for double-sealed Chinese Silver Panda coins. Prices are in Singapore Dollars (SGD) and includes shipping costs to Singapore.

Legend: L - Large Date; S - Small Date; F - Frosty; M - Mirrored; SR - Serif Font; LTLD: Large Twig Large Date; STLD: Small Twig Large Date; STSD - Small Twig Small Date; D - Domestic

Red indicates a decrease in price over previous month;
Green indicates an increase in price over previous month.

1989 - 63.53
1990L - 73.01; 1990S - 66.99
1991L - 123.20; 1991S - Nil
1992L - 145.89; 1992S - Nil
1993L - Nil; 1993S - 123.27
1994L - 125.78; 1994S - Nil
1995LTLD - 64.73; 1995STLD - Nil; 1995STSD - 58.80
1996L - 56.72; 1996S - 61.36
1997L - 67.63; 1997S - 62.37
1998L - 111.75; 1998S - 83.95
1999L - 164.57; 1999S - Nil; 1999SR - Nil
2000F - 214.08; 2000M - Nil
2001 - 69.68; 2001D - 98.22
2002 - 59.28
2003 - 88.13
2004 - 64.14
2005 - 58.07
2006 - 61.02
2007 - 58.44
2008 - 60.94
2009 - 58.09
2010 - 47.81

Commentary: I guess I don't have to say much. As JPM and HSBC saga unwinds, silver spot price would clear US$30 mark. Prices here could easily go up by another 10-20%. But it is usually in these situations that the scarce coins find strong and firm hands.

September Transacted Prices for Silver Panda

The following prices are averaged transacted prices for double-sealed Chinese Silver Panda coins. Prices are in Singapore Dollars (SGD) and includes shipping costs to Singapore.

Legend: L - Large Date; S - Small Date; F - Frosty; M - Mirrored; SR - Serif Font; LTLD: Large Twig Large Date; STLD: Small Twig Large Date; STSD - Small Twig Small Date; D - Domestic

Red indicates a decrease in price over previous month;
Green indicates an increase in price over previous month.

1989 - 62.42
1990L - 93.16; 1990S - Nil
1991L - 137.26; 1991S - 117.26
1992L - 103.68; 1992S - 99.46
1993L - Nil; 1993S - Nil
1994L - Nil; 1994S - Nil
1995LTLD - Nil; 1995STLD - Nil; 1995STSD - Nil
1996L - 52.60; 1996S - Nil
1997L - Nil; 1997S - 57.74
1998L - Nil; 1998S - Nil
1999L - Nil; 1999S - Nil; 1999SR - Nil
2000F - 191.87; 2000M - Nil
2001 - 54.06; 2001D - 101.67
2002 - 68.62
2003 - 95.93
2004 - 92.95
2005 - 62.85
2006 - 61.45
2007 - 56.31
2008 - 57.26
2009 - 60.40
2010 - 43.04

Commentary: The rise in price of silver beyond US$20 has created a price support for the 2007 to 2009 Silver Panda coins hence my forecast of these versions to fall below S$50 did not realise. However, due to the flooding of 2010 version by siriussportauctions has brought prices below S$45 mark. This seller has been selling up to 8 coins in capsules and 8 in slabs daily, causing nearly 360% jump in volume from August. (165 v.s. 36). Do note that the jump in price of the 2001D version was attributed to extremely high shipping cost of US$35 charged by eproductdistribution as his coins were the only ones sold for the month for 2001D version.

Pre-2000 version were thinly traded but should see higher volume as higher silver prices are likely to attract sellers to list them. 1995 version were seen to be listed at rather high prices as Buy It Now. Perhaps, more people are finally able to take notice of the 3 different varieties now.

August Transacted Prices for Silver Panda

The following prices are averaged transacted prices for double-sealed Chinese Silver Panda coins. Prices are in Singapore Dollars (SGD) and includes shipping costs to Singapore.

Legend: L - Large Date; S - Small Date; F - Frosty; M - Mirrored; SR - Serif Font; LTLD: Large Twig Large Date; STLD: Small Twig Large Date; STSD - Small Twig Small Date; D - Domestic

Red indicates a decrease in price over previous month;
Green indicates an increase in price over previous month.

1989 - 63.62
1990L - 60.42; 1990S - 67.38
1991L - Nil; 1991S - Nil
1992L - Nil; 1992S - Nil
1993L - Nil; 1993S - Nil
1994L - Nil; 1994S - Nil
1995LTLD - 69.37; 1995STLD - 161.12; 1995STSD - Nil
1996L - Nil; 1996S - 64.98
1997L - Nil; 1997S - Nil
1998L - Nil; 1998S - 86.67
1999L - 146.99; 1999S - 124.72; 1999SR - 209.03
2000F - 152.84; 2000M - Nil
2001 - 51.07; 2001D - 74.27
2002 - 51.11
2003 - 84.18
2004 - 78.13
2005 - 72.33
2006 - 60.90
2007 - 63.25
2008 - 59.75
2009 - 57.44
2010 - 52.70

July Transacted Prices for Silver Panda

The following prices are averaged transacted prices for double-sealed Chinese Silver Panda coins. Prices are in Singapore Dollars (SGD) and includes shipping costs to Singapore.

Legend: L - Large Date; S - Small Date; F - Frosty; M - Mirrored; SR - Serif Font; LTLD: Large Twig Large Date; STLD: Small Twig Large Date; STSD - Small Twig Small Date; D - Domestic

Red indicates a decrease in price over previous month;
Green indicates an increase in price over previous month.

1989 - 62.51
1990L - 69.66; 1990S - Nil
1991L - Nil; 1991S - Nil
1992L - 127.71; 1992S - Nil
1993L - Nil; 1993S - Nil
1994L - Nil; 1994S - 102.91
1995LTLD - 53.56; 1995STLD - Nil; 1995STSD - Nil
1996L - 62.81; 1996S - 33.86

1997L - Nil; 1997S - 74.82

1998L - Nil; 1998S - 63.84

1999L - Nil; 1999S - Nil; 1999SR - 285.24

2000F - 232.11; 2000M - Nil
2001 - 45.75; 2001D - 61.24
2002 - 56.10
2003 - 85.73
2004 - 61.24
2005 - 53.23
2006 - 54.39
2007 - 57.07
2008 - 49.85
2009 - 47.91
2010 - 51.30

Commentary: Compared to July 2009, the number of transactions were much lower. In comparison with previous months, prices have softened except for the key dates like 2000. The 2008 and 2009 has fallen back below $50 mark while 2010 is heading for that. Apparently, the hype in China has died down because it can be seen that the Buy It Now price listed by Chinese sellers have gone down by more than 10%. Compared to a year ago, key date 2000 Frosted version could be bought for below $150. Since March 2010, its price has risen by more than 50%. Even ebay sellers like yeeren are asking to buy from collectors at US$125. It is unknown why the sudden interest in that particular year.

2010 5 oz Chinese Silver Panda (Coin Specifications)

The Certificate of Authenticity (COA) in blue fonts

2010 5 oz Chinese Silver Panda Obverse

2010 5 oz Chinese Silver Panda Reverse

2010 5 oz Chinese Silver Panda

The usual blue and grey cardboard box

The 2010 version has a plastic bag covering the wooden case

The inside of the 2010 is quite different too. It has some soft packing material to protect the capsule and also silica gel to keep it dry.

The coin unwrapped