Chinese Pandas

[Hawkeye]

Personally, I don't have a lot of silver, but I like to diversify as much as possible: 40%, 90%, Canadian 80%, generic rounds, AEs, Maples, Phils, etc. I even like the Australian lunar series, the Canadian wildlife series and Britannias. I was looking the other day at Chinese pandas, and it just seems like the premium is very high for the mintage numbers. I know they're collected by a lot of people, but a $13-14 premium seemed pretty high to me. Does anyone here buy them and, if so, is that a normal premium?

[penny pretty]

chinese citizens could not legally own silver coins until 2011. That being the case, pandas mostly get bought by the chinese, thus the high premium. I own a few, just to have them.

[Hawkeye]

Thanks. That makes sense. I have a couple of pandas that I bought few years back, and I didn't remember the premium being that high then. I might pick up one or two a year despite the premium, just to have them.

[shinnosuke]

There was a 2012 Panda group buy on bullionstacker a few months ago. It's taken a long time for the delivery, but the premium is only $6-7 on that purchase at today's prices.

[jacer333]

I like to buy one of each major bullion coin each year for the collection, and the panda is one of my favorites for sure. Always a nice, frosty coin with a unique design on it.

[everything]

If you head over to the kitco numismatic forum bucket you'll find a very informative and popular thread dedicated to the Panda.

[Silver Addict]

There was a 2012 Panda group buy on bullionstacker a few months ago. It's taken a long time for the delivery, but the premium is only $6-7 on that purchase at today's prices.

At the actual time the order was placed wasn't the premium around $3 over?

[shinnosuke]

There was a 2012 Panda group buy on bullionstacker a few months ago. It's taken a long time for the delivery, but the premium is only $6-7 on that purchase at today's prices.

At the actual time the order was placed wasn't the premium around $3 over?

Yes, I think you're right. It was a good deal either way. By the way, mine arrived today. Look great.

[RTPMarine]

What sucks about the premium is that Pandas are so often counterfeited. I think it is a coin that should be bought from reputable dealers, since the fakes are so abundant. Also, post-2010 Pandas have been minted in much higher numbers, so a $14 premium is unlikely to hold, IMO.

[Hawkeye]

I actually got hit with a fake a few years ago on ebay. I was new to buying bullion and thought I was getting a great deal. Lesson learned. Even with the big premium, I'll probably try to get one or two a year, just to have them. But I will definitely be buying them from a reputable dealer.

[jacer333]

Yes, easily worth a couple extra bucks for the peace of mind that you are getting a legit coin.

[Heartkill]

It's unreal what the markup is for MS70 ones. I sold a few and more than doubled my money.