The Growing Popularity Of Chinese Gold Coins And Bullion

By Helene Norris

Countries do many things to showcase their national might and wealth. The most common is to hold grand military parades or erect monuments to past heroes and current leaders. The least common but probably most prestigious is to mint gold coins and bullion for national identity and prestige. In the case of China, the minting of Chinese gold coins known as panda coins has been done.

First to hit the gold bullion coin market in terms of popularity was the Krugerrand. The Krugerrand, though not the first of its kind, was the first national coin to be minted with a weight of one ounce in 1967. Later on these coins were also minted in smaller sizes of half, one fourth and one tenth ounces. The panda coin of China, is also a coin that is minted in one ounce sizes.

Even though the panda coin is minted in one ounce sizes, there is one unique characteristic of this Chinese gold coin. It is a coin that is minted in families, meaning that they are minted in sets from one twentieth of an ounce to one ounce all with differing weights but of same design. This is particularly attractive to a collector who looks for sets of one design but differing gold content.

In terms of beauty, most collectors would probably say that this was not such a beautiful coin. Most that think the Krugerrand is unattractive would also think likewise regarding the panda coin. The obverse side of the coin contains a picture of the Beijing Temple of Heaven while the reverse side contains the panda design. Every year the reverse side design is changed and minted, and thus this adds to the further attractiveness of the coin for collectors.

The most popular sizes for investors and collectors are the one ounce sizes. The smaller sizes are more popular with artisans like jewelry smiths and designers. Most of the smaller coinages end up as pendants, earrings or even charms.

These coins also have a relatively low premium over gold content, meaning that they are priced only slightly higher than their content of the yellow mineral. However, most collectors would say that this is higher when compared to others. Whatever the case, one can be sure however that many opinions will exist in terms of certain types of investments.

Should one wish to get started in gold coins and bullion purchase as a store of investment for profit later on, then there are quite a few reputable dealers online, as well as those who are a bit shady. Bullion and coin sales are oftentimes sold on an amount or weight basis rather than actual stamp date or mint date. However, you can buy gold coins by the date should you be a collector or prospector, and this may cost you a bit more, as some dates do get out of stock. A case in point in terms of certain coin dates having more value is the case of 1982 series panda coins, where these fetched up to three thousand dollars per piece.

It is important to note that you should do a lot of background work and research first before buying and collecting Chinese gold coins. Train yourself to look for certain physical aspects of the coins you have an interest in such as serration amount, other distinctive marks and features and the like. It would also do you a lot of good if you also do further background checks and reference traces on prospective dealers and sellers.

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