[snowball]

1979 International Children's Year 1/2oz gold coin - 12216  (planned: 13000)

1980 the 13th Winter Olympic Games 8g gold coin - 10143  (planned: 20000)

1980 the 13th Winter Olympic Games 16g (piedfort) gold coin - 360  (planned: 500)

1981 Year of the Rooster 8g gold coin - 5015  (planned: 5000)

1981 the 70th Anniversary of Xin Hai Revolution 1/2oz gold coin - 1338  (planned: 1500)

1982 the 12th Football World Cup 1/4oz gold coin - 1261  (planned: 1500)

1982 Year of the Dog 8g gold coin - 2535  (planned: 5000)

1983 Marco Polo 10g gold coin - 1033  (planned: 1500)

1983 Marco Polo 1g gold coin - 49553  (planned: 50000)

1983 Year of the Pig 8g gold coin - 2035  (planned: 5000)

1984 Chin Shihhuang 1/3oz gold coin - 10327  (planned: 25000)

1984 Year of the Rat 8g gold coin - 2248  (planned: 5000)

1985 Year of the Ox 8g gold coin - 4053  (planned: 5000)

1985 Confucius 1/3oz gold coin - 4300  (planned: 25000)

1986 Liu Bang 1/3oz gold coin - 4980  (planned: 25000)

1986 Year of the Tiger 8g gold coin - 4480  (planned: 5000)

1987 Li Shi Ming 1/3oz gold coin - 1300  (planned: 25000)

1987 Year of the Rabbit 8g gold coin - 4784  (planned: 5000)

1988 Endangered Wildlife 8g gold coin - 28700  (planned: 30000)

1988 Year of the Dragon 5oz gold coin - 518  (planned: 500)

1988 the 24th Summer Olympic Games 1/2oz gold coin - 5500  (planned: 10000)

1988 Zhao Kuang Ying 1/3oz gold coin - 2554  (planned: 25000)

1989 Endangered Wildlife 8g gold coin - 14004  (planned: 25000)

1989 the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of the P.R.C. 20oz gold coin - 105  (planned: 100)

1989 the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of the P.R.C. 1/4oz gold coin 10009  (planned: 15000)

1989 Genghis Khan 1/3oz gold coin - 3654  (planned: 25000)

1990 Zhu Yuan Zhang 1/3oz gold coin - 2164  (planned: 25000)

1990 Huang Di 1/3oz gold coin - 10000  (planned: 20000)

1990 Dragon & Phoenix 2oz gold coin - 2538  (planned: 2500)

1990 Taiwan Scenery 1st Issue 4 x 1/2oz gold coin set - 2004  (planned: 4000)

1990 Year of the Horse 8g gold coin - 7805  (planned: 7500)

1991 1992 the 16th Winter Olympic Games 1/3oz gold coin - 5000  (planned: 10000)

1991 the 1st Women Football World Cup 8g gold coin - 1404  (planned: 5000)

1991 the 10th Anniversary of the Issuance of Chinese Panda Gold Coins 5 kilo gold coin - 11  (planned: 10)

1991 the 1st Hong Kong International Coin Convention 1/4oz + 1/8oz Bi-metallic coin - 2003  (planned: 10000)

1991 Panda 1/4oz gold + 1/8oz silver Bi-metallic coin - 2003  (planned: 10000)

1991 Year of the Goat 8g gold coin - 7505  (planned: 7500)

1991 Kang Xi 1/3oz gold coin - 1084  (planned: 25000)

1992 1994 the 17th Winter Olympic Games 1/3oz gold coin - 1503  (planned: 10000)

1992 the 12th Anniversary of the Issuance of Chinese Lunar Animals 1 kilo gold coin - 21  (planned: 20)

1992 Panda proof gold coin set - 806  (planned: 2000)

1992 Endangered Wildlife 8g gold coin - 1509  (planned: 5000)

1992 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 1st Issue Seismograph 1 kilo gold coin - 16  (planned: 10)

1992 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 1st Issue 5 x 1oz gold coin set - 1001  (planned: 1000)

1992 Wu Zhe Tian 1/3oz gold coin - 2504  (planned: 25000)

1992 Year of the Monkey 8g gold coin - 5011  (planned: 5000)

1993 Mao Zhe Dong 1/3oz gold coin - 4503  (planned: 25000)

1993 Panda proof gold coin set - 2005  (planned: 2500)

1993 Taiwan Scenery 2nd Issue 4 x 1/2oz gold coin set - 503  (planned: 1000)

1993 Marco Polo 5oz gold coin - 104  (planned: 91)

1993 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 2nd Issue 5 x 1/2oz gold coin set - 402  (planned: 1200)

1993 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 2nd Issue Tai Ji 1oz gold coin - 303  (planned: 888)

1993 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 2nd Issue Tai Ji 5oz gold coin - 102  (planned: 99)

1993 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 2nd Issue Tai Ji 1/4oz gold coin - 3003  (planned: 20000)

1993 Year of the Rooster Flower Shaped 1/2oz gold coin - 2305  (planned: 2300)

1993 Possessing a Piece of Homeland gold coin set - 2003  (planned: 8888)

1993 Possessing a Piece of Homeland 5oz gold coin - 100  (planned: 99)

1994 Panda proof gold coin set - 903  (planned: 2500)

1994 Panda 1/10oz gold + 1/28oz silver Bi-metallic coin - 2503  (planned: 3000)

1994 Panda 1/4oz gold + 1/8oz silver Bi-metallic coin - 2403  (planned: 2500)

1994 Endangered Wildlife 8g gold coin - 753  (planned: 5000)

1994 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 3rd Issue 5 x 1/2oz gold coin set - 754  (planned: 1200)

1994 Sino-Singapore Friendship 1 kilo gold coin - 19  (planned: 15)

1994 Sino-Singapore Friendship 5oz gold coin - 110  (planned: 128)

1994 Unicorn 1/20oz gold coin - 22007  (planned: 31100)

1994 Unicorn 1/10oz gold coin - 5107  (planned: 5100)

1994 Unicorn 1/4oz gold coin - 5107  (planned: 5100)

1994 Unicorn 1/2oz gold coin - 857  (planned: 1100)

1994 Unicorn 1oz gold coin - 1108  (planned: 1100)

1994 Unicorn 5oz gold coin - 63  (planned: 99)

1994 Unicorn 1 kilo gold coin - 20  (planned: 18)

1994 Unicorn 1/4oz gold + 1/8oz silver Bi-metallic coin - 514  (planned: 1100)

1995 the 50th Anniversary of the Victory of War Against Japan Invasion 1/2oz gold coin - 2504  (planned: 2500)

1995 the 50th Anniversary of the Victory of War Against Japan Invasion 1oz x 2 gold coin set - 1405  (planned: 1500)

1995 the 4th World Women Congress 1/3oz gold + 1/6oz silver Bi-metallic coin - 3004  (planned: 3000)

1995 the 43rd Table Tennis World Championship 1/3oz gold coin - 2003  (planned: 2000)

1995 the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of United Nations 1/2oz gold coin - 8504  (planned: 17500)

1995 the 50th Anniversary of the Recovery of Taiwan to China 1/2oz gold coin - 3003  (planned: 3000)

1995 the 50th Anniversary of the Recovery of Taiwan to China 1 kilo gold coin - 26  (planned: 25)

1995 the 50th Anniversary of the Recovery of Taiwan to China 5oz gold coin - 105  (planned: 99)

1995 Zheng Chenggong 5oz gold coin - 83  (planned: 99)

1995 Unicorn 1/20oz gold coin - 7004  (planned: 20000)

1995 Uniocrn 1/10oz gold coin - 2504  (planned: 5000)

1995 Unicorn 1/4oz gold coin - 2504  (planned: 5000)

1995 Unicorn 1/2oz gold coin - 1254  (planned: 2000)

1995 Unicorn 1oz gold coin - 504  (planned: 1500)

1995 Maritime Ancient China Series 2 x 1/2oz gold coin set - 206  (planned: 1000)

1995 Panda 1oz proof gold coin - 555  (planned: 2000)

1998 Guilin Scenery 4 x 1/2oz gold coin set - 904  (planned: 1600)

***********************************************************

Chinese modern silver coin - actual mintages

1979 International Children's Year 1oz silver coin - 13659  (planned: 15000)

1980 the 13th Winter Olympic Games 4 x 15g silver coin set - 5008  (planned: 5000)

1980 China Olympic Committee 4 x 15g silver coin set - 15000  (planned: 40000)

1981 the 70th Anniversary of Xin Hai Revolution 1oz silver coin - 3885  (planned: 4000)

1981 Year of the Rooster 15g silver coin - 10155  (planned: 10000)

1982 the 12th Football World Cup 2 x 1/2oz silver coin set - 20000  (planned: 40000)

1982 Year of the Dog 15g silver coin - 8825  (planned: 15000)

1983 Year of the Pig 15g silver coin - 6793  (planned: 10000)

1983 Marco Polo 2g silver coin - 7053  (planned: 70000)

1983 Marco Polo 22g silver coin - 15453  (planned: 15000)

1984 the 23rd Summer Olympic Games 1/4oz silver coin - 10100  (planned: 10000)

1984 the 23rd Summer Olympic Games 1/2oz silver coin - 4500  (planned: 6000)

1984 Year of the Rat 15g silver coin - 10592  (planned: 10000)

1984 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures 1st Issue 4 x 22g silver coin set - 14401  (planned: 30000)

1985 the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region 1oz silver coin - 1400  (planned: 3000)

1985 Year of the Ox 15g silver coin - 22489  (planned: 10000)

1986 Year of the Tiger 15g silver coin - 15461  (planned: 15000)

1986 International Year of Peace 27g silver coin - 1350  (planned: 1500)

1986 the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Sun Yat-sen 27g silver coin - 8450  (planned: 8500)

1986 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures 3rd Issue 4 x 22g silver coin set - 9675  (planned: 30000)

1987 Panda 5oz silver coin - 8540  (planned: 11000)

1987 Panda 1oz silver coin - 30720  (planned: 31000)

1987 Year of the Rabbit 15g silver coin - 14164  (planned: 10000)

1987 the 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Zhan Tianyou 12oz silver coin - 2911  (planned: 3000)

1987 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures 4th Issue 4 x 22g silver coin set - 7350  (planned: 30000)

1988 the 15th Winter Olympic Games 27g silver coin - 10502  (planned: 10000)

1988 the 24th Summer Olympic Games 3 x 27g silver coin set - 20003  (planned: 20000)

1988 the 24th Summer Olympic Games 5oz silver coin - 3898  (planned: 5000)

1988 Year of the Dragon 15g silver coin - 15135  (planned: 15000)

1988 Year of the Dragon 5oz silver coin - 5014  (planned: 5000)

1988 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures 5th Issue 4 x 22g silver coin set - 13500  (planned: 30000)

1988 Endangered Wildlife 1st Issue 2 x 27g silver coin set - 34600  (planned: 50000)

1989 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures 6th Issue 4 x 22g silver coin set - 3879  (planned: 30000)

1989 Endangered Wildlife 2nd Issue 2 x 27g silver coin set - 10005  (planned: 30000)

1990 Dragon & Phoenix 20oz silver coin - 347  (planned: 1500)

1990 Dragon & Phoenix 1oz silver coin - 12014  (planned: 12000)

1990 Dragon & Phoenix 2oz silver coin - 7328  (planned: 5000)

1990 Dragon & Phoenix 2g silver coin - 55038  (planned: 50000)

1990 Year of the Horse 15g silver coin - 15005  (planned: 15000)

1990 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures 7th Issue 4 x 22g silver coin set - 9629  (planned: 30000)

1991 Year of the Goat 15g silver coin - 15005  (planned: 15000)

1992 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures 9th Issue 4 x 22g silver coin set - 19004  (planned: 30000)

1992 the 17th Winter Olympic Games 2 x 27g silver coin set - 15006  (planned: 30000)

1992 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 1st Issue 5 x 22g silver coin set - 14708  (planned: 15000)

1992 Marco Polo 15g silver coin - 12000  (planned: 30000)

1992 Year of the Monkey 15g silver coin - 10013  (planned: 10000)

1992 Endangered Wildlife 3rd Issue 2 x 27g silver coin set - 7261  (planned: 15000)

1992 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures Zheng Chenggong 20g silver coin - 10155  (planned: 20000)

1992 the 12th Anniversary of the Issuance of Chinese Lunar Animals 1 kilo silver coin - 185  (planned: 300)

1993 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 2nd Issue 5 x 22g silver coin set - 8152  (planned: 15000)

1993 Year of the Rooster 1oz silver coin - 8000  (planned: 9000)

1993 Year of the Rooster 5oz silver coin - 1003  (planned: 1000)

1993 Year of the Rooster Flower Shaped 2/3oz silver coin - 6807  (planned: 6800)

1993 Taiwan Scenery 2nd Issue 4 x 15g silver coin set - 1003  (planned: 2000)

1993 Chinese Outstanding Historical Figures 10th Issue 4 x 22g silver coin set - 20056  (planned: 30000)

1994 Modern Chinese Famous Painting Series (bird) 2/3oz silver coin - 3908  (planned: 3900)

1994 Unicorn 20oz silver coin - 504  (planned: 500)

1994 Unicorn 12oz silver coin - 754  (planned: 2000)

1994 Unicorn 5oz silver coin - 754  (planned: 1500)

1994 Unicorn 1oz silver coin (proof) - 4403  (planned: 10000)

1994 Unicorn 1oz silver coin (BU) - 45007  (planned: 50000)

1994 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 3rd Issue 5 x 22g silver coin set - 9104  (planned: 15000)

1994 Year of the Dog 5oz silver coin - 1003  (planned: 1000)

1994 Year of the Dog Flower Shaped 2/3oz silver coin - 6804  (planned: 6800)

1994 Endangered Wildlife 4th Issue 2 x 27g silver coin set - 4828  (planned: 15000)

1995 Modern Chinese Famous Painting Series (bird) 2/3oz silver coin - 2905  (planned: 3900)

1995 Unicorn 20oz silver coin - 103  (planned: 500)

1995 Unicorn 12oz silver coin - 223  (planned: 1500)

1995 Unicorn 5oz silver coin - 503  (planned: 1500)

1995 Unicorn 1oz silver coin - 4004  (planned: 8000)

1995 Chinese Traditional Culture 1st Issue 15g silver coin - 10004  (planned: 30000)

1995 Maritime Ancient China Series 2 x 27g silver coin set - 2006  (planned: 10000)

1995 Scientific & Technical Inventions & Discoveries of Ancient China 4th Issue 5 x 22g silver coin set - 10000  (planned: 15000)

1995 Dinosaur 2 x 27g silver coin set - 2500  (planned: 5000)

1995 the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of United Nations 27g silver coin - 55008  (planned: 115000)

1995 Year of the Pig Flower Shaped 2/3oz silver coin - 6803  (planned: 6800)

1995 the 50th Anniversary of the Recovery of Taiwan to China 5oz silver coin - 1002  (planned: 999)

1995 Zheng Chenggong 12oz silver coin - 151  (planned: 150)

1995 Zheng Chenggong 5oz silver coin - 253  (planned: 250)


Above information should be used only for reference.
If you found anything incorrect, please let me know asap.

-- provided by http://www.rarechinesecoins.info

[BobW]

Good information to have. Thank you.

[alexwu]

Thanks!

[pecus]

Snowball:

What great information!  I'm curious how you came by these figures.

Pecus

[snowball]

Snowball:

What great information!  I'm curious how you came by these figures.

Pecus

Hello Pecus

Most of these figures are from a Chinese coin book called 'Modern Chinese Coins and Medals Catalog' by Mr. Ge, a senior numismatist in China.  So far, this is the only coin book with actual mintage information.  However, it might have some incorrect figures, so once again, pls use them only for reference.    :)

[pecus]

Snowball:

One reason I ask is that I own one of the 1995 12 oz silver Unicorns, coa #1446.  But according to your mintage list, only 223 of these coins were supposedly made.  So you're right to advise people to take these mintage figures with a grain of salt.  (Don't get me wrong; I'm quite pleased to learn that a highly regarded coin enthusiast believes only 223 were made.  But then why would there be coa's with much higher numbers?)

Perhaps we could get your source to join this internet coin community?

Thanks again for all your hard work on our behalf.
Pecus

[qaz]

 ??? ::)

[snowball]

Snowball:

One reason I ask is that I own one of the 1995 12 oz silver Unicorns, coa #1446.  But according to your mintage list, only 223 of these coins were supposedly made.  So you're right to advise people to take these mintage figures with a grain of salt.  (Don't get me wrong; I'm quite pleased to learn that a highly regarded coin enthusiast believes only 223 were made.  But then why would there be coa's with much higher numbers?)

Perhaps we could get your source to join this internet coin community?

Thanks again for all your hard work on our behalf.
Pecus

Hi Pecus,
I have followed the unicorn series for many years, and not sure if you have noticed that 1995 12oz silver unicorn is extremely scarce in the market.  I have only seen 2 sold on Ebay, and 2 on HA in the past five years.   During the same period, 20+ 1994 1oz gold unicorns (mintage: 1100) and 10+ 1994 20oz silver unicorns (mintage: 500) had been traded.  I don't know how Mr. Ge found the figure of 223 for the 1995 12oz, but I also doubt about the figure of 1500.   ;D

I think we are still at the early stage of Chinese modern coin collecting.  Planned and actual mintage is the most discussed topic among Chinese modern coin collectors these days. 
I also doubt about several figures in the list, such as 1994 gold+silver Bi-metallic unicorn at 514.

[goldbug]

 

[pandaman]

Hi Pecus,
I have followed the unicorn series for many years, and not sure if you have noticed that 1995 12oz silver unicorn is extremely scarce in the market.  I have only seen 2 sold on Ebay, and 2 on HA in the past five years.   During the same period, 20+ 1994 1oz gold unicorns (mintage: 1100) and 10+ 1994 20oz silver unicorns (mintage: 500) had been traded.  I don't know how Mr. Ge found the figure of 223 for the 1995 12oz, but I also doubt about the figure of 1500.   ;D

I think we are still at the early stage of Chinese modern coin collecting.  Planned and actual mintage is the most discussed topic among Chinese modern coin collectors these days. 
I also doubt about several figures in the list, such as 1994 gold+silver Bi-metallic unicorn at 514.

Yes you or your friend (?), did well with the 12oz 1995 Unicorn score 

Unfortunately, the book only goes up to 1995, not beyond...
There has got to be some truth to what he is indicating. It would be GREAT to have contact with him and hear more.. For one night only an interview with.... MRRR GEEEE

Anyway, my question, say there were only 223 minted- how likely is it that the Chinese Mint will mint another 277 at some stage? Is it very unlikely? (disclosure: pure speculation)

I'll conclude on the note and echo what another person said- let's go find and interview Mr Gee.

[qwasty]

Anyone know the actual mintage of the 1995 silver proof 1 oz panda? I'm trying to figure out why it's worth so much more than the 1996.

[snowball]

Anyone know the actual mintage of the 1995 silver proof 1 oz panda? I'm trying to figure out why it's worth so much more than the 1996.

I have been trying to figure that out for years!   

[alexwu]

Anyone know the actual mintage of the 1995 silver proof 1 oz panda? I'm trying to figure out why it's worth so much more than the 1996.

4.3k something is what i heard in a rumor.       

[kesheng]

Great info! Thanks!

[simpleman]

according to those figures... it seems Chinese Modern Coins started with year of 1979?

[alexwu]

according to those figures... it seems Chinese Modern Coins started with year of 1979?

Yep!   

[qwasty]

About the 1995 unicorns with a mintage of 223, and extant COA's of over 1400, I think there's a few possibilities:

#1 The mint kept making them after 1995

#2 The mint printed more COA's than coins, and packaged the coins with random COA numbers

#3 The COA, the coin, or both, are fake

What we need is a registry of chinese coins showing the coin and the COA so we can keep track of the genuine coins, and look it up when it appears for sale. So many antiquities and collectibles are worthless without a record of who has owned it in the past, so that it can be verified it isn't fake. A wiki would do this well.

[pandaman]

About the 1995 unicorns with a mintage of 223, and extant COA's of over 1400, I think there's a few possibilities:

#1 The mint kept making them after 1995

#2 The mint printed more COA's than coins, and packaged the coins with random COA numbers

#3 The COA, the coin, or both, are fake

What we need is a registry of chinese coins showing the coin and the COA so we can keep track of the genuine coins, and look it up when it appears for sale. So many antiquities and collectibles are worthless without a record of who has owned it in the past, so that it can be verified it isn't fake. A wiki would do this well.

I've never heard of the possibility that a coin such as the 1995 Silver 12 oz Unicorn could be fake. I don't have reason to believe they are out there. You know this coin does not show up much at all so unless there are hundreds together in a room somewhere, the mintage could well be right.

[alexwu]

About the 1995 unicorns with a mintage of 223, and extant COA's of over 1400, I think there's a few possibilities:

#1 The mint kept making them after 1995

#2 The mint printed more COA's than coins, and packaged the coins with random COA numbers

#3 The COA, the coin, or both, are fake

What we need is a registry of chinese coins showing the coin and the COA so we can keep track of the genuine coins, and look it up when it appears for sale. So many antiquities and collectibles are worthless without a record of who has owned it in the past, so that it can be verified it isn't fake. A wiki would do this well.

#2 is very possible!   

[qwasty]

Pandaman: Be careful with that kind of thinking. Fakes are out there, and you have to watch for them or you will get screwed. Luckily most of them will not fool careful inspection of the coin.

Does the coin have strange bubbles or bumps in areas of the coin that are supposed to be flat? That indicates an imperfect gold or silver plating job on a fake coin.

Does the coin weigh what it's supposed to weigh? If it doesn't, it's fake.

Does the coin have details that are different from known genuine examples? If yes, you may have another variety of genuine coin, or, it's a fake. Have an expert examine your coin to be sure.

Do you know where your coin has been since 2005? As far as I know, most of the fakes were made after 2006, so if you've got proof that a coin has been in trade (auction catalog?) or in someone's collection in 2005 or earlier, then it's probably not a fake. This is often called a "pedigree" or a "provenance" and it's sort of like a family tree. For example, you can say you're related to the Queen of England only if you can name everyone in that line of your family tree that connects to her. If you can't do that, then you're probably a fake. Coins with pedigrees sell for more money because no one worries about whether it is genuine or not, and it doesn't matter how good counterfeiting technology is.

Speaking of fakes, here's one right here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320300258423

It's actually a photo of a genuine coin, but the person selling it is not going to deliver it to you. This item has been removed previously from ebay, and the fact that there's only a few recent feedbacks, and those users have been expelled from ebay, shows that this ebay account is probably a stolen account being used for fraud.

[qwasty]

By the way, I've just seen some 1995 proof 1 oz silver pandas with Certificate of Authenticity in the 4600 range. If those are the highest numbered, and the last ones produced, then we have a guess as to how many were really made. Anyone seen anything higher? Of course, possibility #2 above could still apply.

[snowball]

By the way, I've just seen some 1995 proof 1 oz silver pandas with Certificate of Authenticity in the 4600 range. If those are the highest numbered, and the last ones produced, then we have a guess as to how many were really made. Anyone seen anything higher? Of course, possibility #2 above could still apply.

Coa #4875 is the highest I have seen.   

[pandaman]

Pandaman: Be careful with that kind of thinking. Fakes are out there, and you have to watch for them or you will get screwed. Luckily most of them will not fool careful inspection of the coin.

Does the coin have strange bubbles or bumps in areas of the coin that are supposed to be flat? That indicates an imperfect gold or silver plating job on a fake coin.

Does the coin weigh what it's supposed to weigh? If it doesn't, it's fake.

Does the coin have details that are different from known genuine examples? If yes, you may have another variety of genuine coin, or, it's a fake. Have an expert examine your coin to be sure.

Do you know where your coin has been since 2005? As far as I know, most of the fakes were made after 2006, so if you've got proof that a coin has been in trade (auction catalog?) or in someone's collection in 2005 or earlier, then it's probably not a fake. This is often called a "pedigree" or a "provenance" and it's sort of like a family tree. For example, you can say you're related to the Queen of England only if you can name everyone in that line of your family tree that connects to her. If you can't do that, then you're probably a fake. Coins with pedigrees sell for more money because no one worries about whether it is genuine or not, and it doesn't matter how good counterfeiting technology is.

Speaking of fakes, here's one right here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320300258423

It's actually a photo of a genuine coin, but the person selling it is not going to deliver it to you. This item has been removed previously from ebay, and the fact that there's only a few recent feedbacks, and those users have been expelled from ebay, shows that this ebay account is probably a stolen account being used for fraud.

I know fakes are out there but have you ever seen a large gold or silver Modern Chinese coin faked? It was the 12 oz 1995 Ag Unicorn that was mentioned.

The auction link you listed pictures not a fake coin, as you know. It is a fraudulent listing. So YES, you do have to be careful and I have first hand experience, unfortunately, in knowing this.

[qwasty]

Yes, I have seen 12 oz fakes. The last one I saw on ebay was being sold by an honest dealer who bought it from an honest collector. I don't remember how the collector got it, but I think he bought it in China. When I see them, I notify the dealers that the item they're selling is fake.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the good dealers are grateful that their reputations are still good. It's a sad day when an honest dealer is accused of fraud when he was just another victim of the ancient chinese crime (counterfeiting).

[silverstamped]

The 1993 Marco Polo 5oz Gold sounds interesting.  Anybody ever see one?

[snowball]

The 1993 Marco Polo 5oz Gold sounds interesting.  Anybody ever see one?

One was sold on Heritage's 2008 January NY Signature World Coin Auction for $20,700.00.   

[anwir]

Hi everybody,

please let me start by introducing myself. I am a German collector of China gold and silver coins and have started a thread in a German precious metal board on that topic, http://www.goldseitenforum.de/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=7662&pageNo=1.

First of all I'd like to thank Colin for the work he is doing here and on china-mint.info. I have found this very helpful from the beginning. Actual mintages is really a though topic with China coins. In one of my last posts in the German board, http://www.goldseitenforum.de/index.php?page=Thread&postID=333705#post333705, I have copied some of the figures given here, hoping that members there will contribute.

For a start I can add that 1991 Kang Xi gold was sold on German e*b*a*y on September 30th, 2007 showing a certificate # 1,241, which does not coinicide with the number given above. It will take some time to go through my archive of e*b*a*y auctions as this sums up to almost 10.000 auctions through the last 18 months but I will try to go through step by step and contribute any findings here. Based on my archive I may also state that the 3 12 oz Unicorns 1995 were sold in the a.m period on e*b*a*y

I may also recommend the book Modern Chinese Commemorative Gold and Silver Coins and Medals Pictorial No. 1 1979 - 1988 which gives some information on actual mintages and as it was published by China Gold Coin Inc. should be a fairly reliable source. Unfortunatedly, it covers a very limited period of time.

I am looking forward sharing opinons, rumours and facts of modern Chinese coins with you here and may apologise in advance, if sometimes my broken English leads to misunderstandings.

anwir

[BobW]

By the way, I've just seen some 1995 proof 1 oz silver pandas with Certificate of Authenticity in the 4600 range. If those are the highest numbered, and the last ones produced, then we have a guess as to how many were really made. Anyone seen anything higher? Of course, possibility #2 above could still apply.

Coa #4875 is the highest I have seen.   

Discovered today that I have COA #5637 for a 1995 silver 1 ounce proof.

[snowball]

Hi everybody,

please let me start by introducing myself. I am a German collector of China gold and silver coins and have started a thread in a German precious metal board on that topic, http://www.goldseitenforum.de/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=7662&pageNo=1.

First of all I'd like to thank Colin for the work he is doing here and on china-mint.info. I have found this very helpful from the beginning. Actual mintages is really a though topic with China coins. In one of my last posts in the German board, http://www.goldseitenforum.de/index.php?page=Thread&postID=333705#post333705, I have copied some of the figures given here, hoping that members there will contribute.

For a start I can add that 1991 Kang Xi gold was sold on German e*b*a*y on September 30th, 2007 showing a certificate # 1,241, which does not coinicide with the number given above. It will take some time to go through my archive of e*b*a*y auctions as this sums up to almost 10.000 auctions through the last 18 months but I will try to go through step by step and contribute any findings here. Based on my archive I may also state that the 3 12 oz Unicorns 1995 were sold in the a.m period on e*b*a*y

I may also recommend the book Modern Chinese Commemorative Gold and Silver Coins and Medals Pictorial No. 1 1979 - 1988 which gives some information on actual mintages and as it was published by China Gold Coin Inc. should be a fairly reliable source. Unfortunatedly, it covers a very limited period of time.

I am looking forward sharing opinons, rumours and facts of modern Chinese coins with you here and may apologise in advance, if sometimes my broken English leads to misunderstandings.

anwir

Welcome to the board, anwir!!  I　always want to learn more about German's Chinese coin market, and the collecting trend on Chinese modern coins.  I am looking for your sharing!   

[poconopenn]

As a Chinese coin collector for more than 30 years and modern Chinese coin since 1979, there is a very good explaination of COA # higher than the actual mingtage. The China Mint has maintained a policy to accept foreign distributors to return coin which can not be sold within one year, since 1979. The China Mint actually produced planned mintage and shipped to distributors. Some distributors sold higher COA # coin to the collectors. Some low COA # coin sets might return to China Mint and destroyed, re-circled to make new coins. During 1994-1996, China Mint's made a major error in marketing its coins. The price of initial offer was too high to be acceptable to collectors, especially panda and unicorn. Many coins were return to China Mint. Those coins with higher initial offer price before 1996 usually have a lower final mintage. Most of my collection have a COA# higher than the actual final mintage. There is no reason to be concerned if your COA# is higher than the actual mintage.

[qwasty]

Absolutely great info. This is the reason why I like this forum. Thanks poconopenn.

[snowball]

As a Chinese coin collector for more than 30 years and modern Chinese coin since 1979, there is a very good explaination of COA # higher than the actual mingtage. The China Mint has maintained a policy to accept foreign distributors to return coin which can not be sold within one year, since 1979. The China Mint actually produced planned mintage and shipped to distributors. Some distributors sold higher COA # coin to the collectors. Some low COA # coin sets might return to China Mint and destroyed, re-circled to make new coins. During 1994-1996, China Mint's made a major error in marketing its coins. The price of initial offer was too high to be acceptable to collectors, especially panda and unicorn. Many coins were return to China Mint. Those coins with higher initial offer price before 1996 usually have a lower final mintage. Most of my collection have a COA# higher than the actual final mintage. There is no reason to be concerned if your COA# is higher than the actual mintage.

 

 

[kesheng]

Thanks to poconopenn! Nice information!

I have even saw a 20oz silver Dragon & Phoenix coin marked number #510 on its edge like that, while the estimated mintage is about 347.

When printing the COA, sometimes the distributor would skip numbers not favoured - e.g. numbers end with 4 or 7. This may also introduce higher COA numbers.

 

[anwir]

I have absolutely no reason to doubt the explanation given by poconopenn neither to doubt Colin's first post but that leaves us with the question from which source these figures derive. Due to the information of a well-known German coin collector who is responsible for the German world coin catalogue, Chinese offcial sources deny that there is any documentation of the actuals mintages of the earlier coins (this includes Panda 2000 )

Looking, e.g. at the figures given for:

1990 Zhu Yuan Zhang 1/3oz gold coin - 2164  (planned: 25000)

1991 Kang Xi 1/3oz gold coin - 1084  (planned: 25000)

1992 Wu Zhe Tian 1/3oz gold coin - 2504  (planned: 25000)

I have all these 3 coins archived 10 times in the last 2 years and just recently acquired one for 3% over POG, whereas e.g. the 1997 Forbidden City set with an official mintage of 4.000, i.e the double, there is none - leave alone the one set I have in my collection.

Or let's take Confuzius, which is given a number of 4,300 and has been sold 23 times in the last 2 years.

The only source I happen to know so far, is "Modern Chinese Commemoratives Gold and Silver Coins and Medals Pictorial" published China Coins Limited and distributed by the People's Bank of China, China Gold Corp. Inc. in Jan. 1988, which sometimes coincides with the figures given here, e.g. Confuzius, sometimes not,e.g. Liu Bang = 4,054 vs. 4,980.

I am aware that rare mintages might generate a "bigger market" in the sense that more dealers look for and offer them. Still I cannot avoid the doubt, if I see rare coins too often

Any chance we will ever clear this up

greetz anwir

[snowball]

hi again anwir,

Check out this article: http://www.jb008.cn/coin/forum_print.asp?forum_id=2&view_id=528
It is written in Chinese, and you may want to use google translator or other language tools to translate it to Germany or English.  It is worth to read.

 
 

[Majestic Rarities]

The 1993 Marco Polo 5oz Gold sounds interesting.  Anybody ever see one?

I know of two of these fantastic coins.  It is an unbelievable coin!  One was originally offered to me by a collector/dealer in late 2007.  I did not purchase.  I waited and purchsed this 5 oz Gold Marco Polo coin mentioned from the Heritage Auction.  I still have this piece.  It is now in an NGC 68 Ultra Cameo holder.  I believe all coins should be authenticated, graded and encapsulated.  This should be done to protect yourself and to protect your coins.  I think all of the 5 oz Gold coins with low mintages are under valued and will continue to bring strong premiums regardless if Gold is up or down. I buy and sell rare Modern Chinese Coins everyday so I follow all of the trends.      

One was sold on Heritage's 2008 January NY Signature World Coin Auction for $20,700.00.   

[snowball]

KeSheng has scanned and posted the book writing by Ge Zhu Kang.  You can view it on this page:
http://www.bjjbtz.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=14643&extra=page%3D1&page=1

Many mintage figures that we have been discussing are original from this book.  The book is written pure in Chinese.  If anyone needs help translating on specific item, please post the item # here.  I will be glad to do the translation.   

[anwir]

great link THANKS  took some time to get reigstered and now it will take even more time to find out, which line is which coin but it looks GREAT
Thanks again

greetz anwir

[kesheng]

KeSheng has scanned and posted the book writing by Ge Zhu Kang.  You can view it on this page:
http://www.bjjbtz.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=14643&extra=page%3D1&page=1

Many mintage figures that we have been discussing are original from this book.  The book is written pure in Chinese.  If anyone needs help translating on specific item, please post the item # here.  I will be glad to do the translation.   


I should also be glad to help! 

[kesheng]

Actual mintages is a very difficult topic for China Modern coins. I have read some books and articles from senior collectors recently and try to put the data together and verify the differences. Due to the missing / limit of official supporting documents, I think we are far away from the facts. But it is still worth to take the first move, thanks to collectors like Mr. Ge!
Again, the actual mintage numbers are for reference only.

[anwir]

KeSheng has scanned and posted the book writing by Ge Zhu Kang.  You can view it on this page:
http://www.bjjbtz.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=14643&extra=page%3D1&page=1

Many mintage figures that we have been discussing are original from this book.  The book is written pure in Chinese.  If anyone needs help translating on specific item, please post the item # here.  I will be glad to do the translation.   

For those of you who have a hard time registering and loging into a Chinese website, like me , I have compiled a pdf from the 58 scans. As this is 15.5 MB I have also made 6 pdf-files with up to 3 MB each. If you want a copy - can't post it here - send me your email adresse via PM and will send you a copy. Please indicate if you want the one big file or the six small files in several emails.

Thanks again to snowball for the link and KeSheng for taking the time to scan and post

[snowball]

Thank U, anwir!   

[poconopenn]

I have absolutely no reason to doubt the explanation given by poconopenn neither to doubt Colin's first post but that leaves us with the question from which source these figures derive. Due to the information of a well-known German coin collector who is responsible for the German world coin catalogue, Chinese offcial sources deny that there is any documentation of the actuals mintages of the earlier coins (this includes Panda 2000 )

Looking, e.g. at the figures given for:

1990 Zhu Yuan Zhang 1/3oz gold coin - 2164  (planned: 25000)

1991 Kang Xi 1/3oz gold coin - 1084  (planned: 25000)

1992 Wu Zhe Tian 1/3oz gold coin - 2504  (planned: 25000)

I have all these 3 coins archived 10 times in the last 2 years and just recently acquired one for 3% over POG, whereas e.g. the 1997 Forbidden City set with an official mintage of 4.000, i.e the double, there is none - leave alone the one set I have in my collection.

Or let's take Confuzius, which is given a number of 4,300 and has been sold 23 times in the last 2 years.

The only source I happen to know so far, is "Modern Chinese Commemoratives Gold and Silver Coins and Medals Pictorial" published China Coins Limited and distributed by the People's Bank of China, China Gold Corp. Inc. in Jan. 1988, which sometimes coincides with the figures given here, e.g. Confuzius, sometimes not,e.g. Liu Bang = 4,054 vs. 4,980.

I am aware that rare mintages might generate a "bigger market" in the sense that more dealers look for and offer them. Still I cannot avoid the doubt, if I see rare coins too often

Any chance we will ever clear this up

greetz anwir

Apparently, MDM of Germany was the exclusive distributor for Outstanding Historic Figures sets. According to the following linked article (in Chinese), MDM had made request to China Mint for additional sets, most likely in 2002. Consequently, China Mint produced several thousand sets for MDM during 2003-2005. This may be the reason for a  relatively low price of those gold coins and so many being offered at Germany ebay.
 
http://www.jb008.cn/coin/article_view.asp?id=698

[frankiben123]

wow....nice post.....

sales tracking software

[chinesecoinworks]

I think it is going to be impossible for anyone to track the mintage for certain coins if the mint themselves don't do it. This is especially so for some coins that state 不限量 (Unlimited) in books and documents that we refer to. Those 3 characters make me think that the mint could reproduce them down the years as long as there is demand.

[anwir]

I have got a question regarding 1990 Taiwan Scenery set 1/2 oz Au. This is listed in the catalogs a 4 coins with a mintage of 4,000 each. Ge Zhu Kang has given a figure of 2,004. This certificate, however, shows a mintage of 1,000 sets only

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270468175633

Could it be that 4,000 refers to 4,000 coins in total, i.e. 4 coins of 1,000 each

greetz anwir

[poconopenn]

The actual mintage, according to the following link, is 503.

http://www.jibi.net/newclub/dispbbs.asp?boardid=135&Id=190207

This link is in Chinese and the said set is mentioned at row 26 of the table. This table issues three time every month by a collect club in China for the price of top 50 lowest mintage AU & Pt coin (1kg or 5 oz coins are not included).

[dc55232]

poconopenn,

many thanks for the link  

The set mentioned at row 26 of the table is the 1993 issue. anwir's question was refering to the 1990 issue. It is given here

http://www.jibi.net/newclub/dispbbs.asp?boardid=135&id=190204

in the second table as number 26 with 4000 (plan) and unknown (actual).

What is the explanation for this CoA stating a mintage of 1000 each?

greetings
dc55232

[anwir]

@ poconopenn: Many thanks for the link . Due to my limited knowledge of Chinese, which is none , I have a hard time to go through but as some coins have a picture link, I find my way 

Still the question remains... nobody got any clue

greetz anwir

[poconopenn]

DC55232, Thanks for noticing my mistake.

It is my understanding, there may have two different COAs for this set.  Apparently, additional sets were made after 1990 with different COA (ref. to as black colored COA).  The current market value (about $3,000) for this set strongly suggests that the mintage of this set is more than 1,000. 

[Bimetallic]

KeSheng has scanned and posted the book writing by Ge Zhu Kang.  You can view it on this page:
http://www.bjjbtz.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=14643&extra=page%3D1&page=1

Many mintage figures that we have been discussing are original from this book.  The book is written pure in Chinese.  If anyone needs help translating on specific item, please post the item # here.  I will be glad to do the translation.   

Anyone have any tips on how the register for this site? Maybe I need to install Chinese fonts or something?

[anaiman]

I have been wondering about the 1998 Gold Panda Swiss/Basel medal.  This is the one with two versions: the regular one and the erroneous one that shows "Pt" instead of "Au" on it.  Actually the regular one is rarer.  The mintage according to China-Mint was 1500.  But now I have been hearing that the actual mintage was 1000; 600 for the Pt version and 400 for the Au version.  I have been unable to get any information about the actual mintage beyond some noises on Ebay.

Can someone out there shed some light on it? 

[snowball]

I have been wondering about the 1998 Gold Panda Swiss/Basel medal.  This is the one with two versions: the regular one and the erroneous one that shows "Pt" instead of "Au" on it.  Actually the regular one is rarer.  The mintage according to China-Mint was 1500.  But now I have been hearing that the actual mintage was 1000; 600 for the Pt version and 400 for the Au version.  I have been unable to get any information about the actual mintage beyond some noises on Ebay.

Can someone out there shed some light on it? 

anaiman,

you are right!  The mintage is 1000 pcs, 400 normal & 600 error.  I just changed the figure:
http://china-mint.info/1988-chinese-coins.html
Thanks!

[KonaJim]

Is there any actual mintage information for the platinum coins?  I am specifically interested in the 1995 1/2 oz. platinum unicorn.  Aloha!

[qwasty]

This seller seems to have access to actual estimated mintage information that I can't find anywhere online. He says he's getting the figures from books. Does anyone have any further information on this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1998-1-9oz-Gold-Panda-Set-NGC-MS69-Large-Date-/110539094447?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bca4b9af

[anaiman]

I just noticed that Snowball's list of "actual" mintages posted on August 22, 2008 are not reflected on the China-Mint.Info lists.  I am very much aware of the uncertainty of actual mintages. Yet, how's it determined which "actual" mintage goes into the China-Mint.Info lists and which does not?  I have came across some items for sale that are extremely rare based on the Aug 22, 2008 posting, but not quite so on the China-Mint.info lists.  Often whether I am willing to pay a lot for a coin depends on the rarity of the coin.  Any suggestions or guidance?

[qwasty]

I think giving all known mintage estimates, with a citation for the source, would be very helpful. If there isn't time for one person to do all that work, a wiki would be very good. Then we could upload photos and additional info also!

[PandaCollector]

arf_arf has a China-printed book that provides different mintage numbers than anywhere else for some coins. He was kind enough to share part of it with me and it looked pretty credible.
Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
www.pandacollector.com