2021 China Gold Panda Brilliant Uncirculated Coins

2021 China Gold Panda Brilliant Uncirculated Certified Coins

The Chinese Gold Panda is among the most anticipated releases every year. Each new edition features a one-year-only design that celebrates one of the world's most ancient cultures and the iconic Giant Panda. The Gold Panda is traditionally issued in five sizes. Notably, it is the only annual bullion coin currently issued in metric units rather than imperial ones. This metric system adds novelty to a series that was admired even before such novelty was introduced. Each piece is struck at the China Mint from .999 fine gold.

History of the Gold Panda Series

The Chinese Gold Panda was first issued in 1982, four years before the first American Gold Eagle. The coin was initially struck in four sizes, 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. However, a 1/20 oz version was introduced in 2013, with a 1 gram version following in 1991. In 2015, for one year only, the coins were issued without denominations. The following year, 2016, the China Mint broke from numismatic tradition and issued the series in metric units instead of imperial ones. Since then, the weights have been 30 grams, 15 grams, 8 grams, 3 grams, and 1 gram.

2021 China Gold Panda Designs

As is tradition, the coin's obverse will feature the Hall of Prayer for Abundant Harvests, which is located in Beijing's Temple of Heaven. A fine example of traditional Chinese architecture, the tiered, circular edifice stands at the center of an elevated platform. The image is encircled by a rim frame that bears the inscription "People's Republic of China" at the top in Chinese characters and the date, "2021," at the bottom.

Tong Fang, who designed the 2019 reverse,  was chosen to create the reverse of the 2021 edition. The 2021 design continues the lifecyle of the young panda cub,  which started on the 2019 issue, this year showing the growing panda cub scrambling up a tree trunk, as his mother watches attentively below.