PCGS vs NGC Grading: Apples and Oranges

NGC and PCGS grades are not the same. As shown in the graph below, for 1982 Pandas, PCGS clearly uses much tougher criteria than NGC. NGC graded 44% of 82 Pandas as MS69, but PCGS only allowed 16% to reach that level. In fact, you have to add PCGS MS67 (12%), MS68(16%) and MS69(16%) to equal NGC's MS69 rate. One could conclude from this that a PCGS MS67 coin could be equated with an NGC MS69 for rarity.

Dealers have noticed this too. They have sent 3 times as many coins through NGC. Could it be because they know NGC will give a higher grade?

Collectors beware. If you care about accurate and meaningful grading, stick with PCGS.

Why Invest in Chinese Panda Coins?

For decades, the Chinese government has minted the Panda coins and sold them primarily to foreigners. Chinese citizens either were not permitted to own, or could not afford gold and silver.

Today China's wealth is growing. Billions of inflated dollars and euros flow in daily to buy cheap manufactured goods. China has a long tradition of holding gold and silver as a store of wealth, and the new rich and middle classes will seek to do the same.

Mintages of the Panda coins are very low when compared to many highly valued US coins, yet the emerging Chinese middle class of 300 million people is as large as the entire US! As the Chinese people discover the rare and beautiful Panda coins of their own country, these rare coins will become much more scarce and valuable.

Buy what China buys.