Sunday, 8 September 2013

The 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.

The distinction of the panda coin or Chinese gold coin of China is that it is also minted in one ounce sizes. However, unlike the Krugerrand they are minted in families. This basically means that you can get an entire design or set of coins with the same design but with differing weights, being one ounce, half ounce, quarter ounce, tenth ounce and twentieth ounce. The ability of a collector or investor to buy an entire set of different weights makes the coin popular.

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.

Although most collectors and investors would buy the entire sets of the Chinese mints, most go for the one ounce sizes only. The smaller sizes do sell but are geared towards a different purpose altogether. Most become parts in jewelry pieces.

Most pundits of the panda Chinese gold coin will say that its low premium over gold content is comparable to that of the popular Krugerrand. However there are also others who would beg to differ. Whatever the real case is in which is the better buy, everyone is entitled to their own opinion in the end, especially when it comes to decisions on whether or buy or not, or to invest or not.

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.

Before buying or getting involved in investment and collecting of Chinese gold coins, you should do your homework first. Learn what to look for in certain coins such as how man serrations, distinctive marks and all the physical attributes. Also do extra background checks on potential sellers, so as to protect yourself from criminal elements and scams.




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