Any China Silver Panda Experts Out There?

silvereaglecoins

I recently bought a group of 1998 China 1 oz. silver pandas from a well known national dealer. As soon as I saw them, they looked "odd" compared to a 1998 silver panda that I had in my personal collection for a few years. My original 1998 panda has much better mirrored fields, slightly different Chinese lettering above the temple, and a totally different font on the date. My "new" 1998 pandas have more of a matte or uncirculated look to them instead of a proof-like finish. The photos below show my original 1998 panda on the left and the "new" panda on the right.





Is it possible that the new coins are counterfeit? I know that high quality, die struck US Trade Dollar counterfeits are mass produced in Asia but I never thought that silver pandas might be as well. With some early date silver pandas fetching hundreds of dollars per coin, it certainly makes you wonder.

Perhaps I am just paranoid but how else can you explain the difference in finish and the totally different date style? I can't imagine that the Shenzhen Mint in China would strike coins with such noticeable differences. In addition, the plastic pouch is different in size and has a different heat-sealing pattern when comparing the two coins.

Any expert opinion on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

cosmicdebris

Were there proof and UNC version?

tbirde56

Restrikes? It does appear to be a Proof beside an Unc though.
Or maybe just that they just didn't give a hoot about details as long as they sold.
Once the Chinese numismatic home market kicks in (in 20 years?) maybe those narrow/wide date varieties will be worth more.

Cruzi

The PBC releases two types of silver pandas, one for the Chinese domestic market and one for the international market.

Since 2001 these can be distinguished by a small "D" on the domestic issue. ( Roughly 10% of total issue)

It may be the different finish was used before 2001 to differentiate between the 2 types. ( Guesswork )

As I remember there is a slight difference in "buy-back policy" between the two thus the need for differentiation.


Edited to Add : I'm no expert, but this may be relevant

ccrdragon

I think Cosmic hit it on the button - there was a proof issue and and uncirc issue for 1998. The proof version was also refered to as the 'small date' version. This looks like what you have - one proof and some uncirc versions of the same coin. I can't get to the vault immediately to look at mine, but my records indicate that I have both the small date and the large date versions of the coin.

I may have a chance on Monday - if I do, I will stop by there and see what mine look like.

silvereaglecoins

I searched the Internet for additional information and found that 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 silver pandas all came in two BU versions (large date and small date) and "colorized" proof versions. Click Here for additional info. The small date versions appear to be more "proof-like" than the others. The 1997 large and small dates are pictured below for comparison.



There seems to be little (if any) price premium between the large and small date varieties.

trozau

It may also have to do with the mint that struck the coin (chances are the mints made their own dies). I have noticed in the gold pandas that Shenyang mint makes better quality (more proof like coins) than Shanghai mint. If you will look closely at the plastic sealing, there is a difference in the pattern. Just my observation.