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.

1982 Gold Pandas Go Through the Roof

Evidence of the increasing demand for early rare Pandas can be seen in the chart below


Prices of 1982 1oz Pandas have nearly tripled from about $1000 in late 1994 to about $3000 today. The orignal mintage of this coin was 15,971 coins.

Interestingly, the 1982 1/2oz panda, with a lower mintage of only 13,339, has not yet moved up more than 30%, making it a very good value.

Low mintage, early gold 1983 and 1984 pandas are also still at reasonable prices.

The Market for Modern Chinese Panda Coins

China began issuing the gold Panda coin series in 1982. Silver Pandas were minted beginning in 1983. These coins were very popular due to thier beauty and bullion purity, and many were used for jewelry.

Mintages for the early dates were very low, but until recently, prices did not reflect the rarity of these attractive coins. However, withing the last year, the price of the 1st year issue coins has tripled.

Factors driving demand for Pandas

• the bull market in coins and precious metals
• in 2006 China legalized the ownership of gold by chinese citizens
• growing middle and upper class of 300 million people now have the financial means to buy gold and silver