Topic: Great Wall 1984 3.3 oz. Silver Medal - Two Versions

[poconopenn]

Fake.

[Gilmore]

Fake.

Thanks

[Contrapunctus]

I have spent the last several years looking for one, but by the time someone decides to sell, it was in the 5 figure range. No surprise there though, I sit on stuff too if I think it's undervalued :)

By the way, the Great Wall medal is a Chinese scenery issue, as are the pagodas (interesting mintage info here):

http://modernchinacoins.com/modernchinacoins/MEDALS.html

The pagodas are still obtainable, last I heard.

Just my personal opinion...

I find that the buying back prices of the modernchinacoins.com to be very low. So low it is ridiculous.

I doubt anyone would want to sell to that website at those low prices. A reasonable price would be at least 8 times of the value in that website.

[NBM]

FWIW, I don't think that page has been updated in 4 years.

[fwang2450]

Just my personal opinion...

I find that the buying back prices of the modernchinacoins.com to be very low. So low it is ridiculous.

I doubt anyone would want to sell to that website at those low prices. A reasonable price would be at least 8 times of the value in that website.

The peak price in Sept, 2011 was about $15,000.

[mmissinglink]

There are cycles in almost everything. I'll bet that there most certainly will be a resurgence of high price buying  of some of the key Chinese Scenery medals. If you have one or more already, I'd say hold onto it. If you don't, while the prices are consolidated, it may actually be a great time to seek out a key issue/date.

[mmissinglink]

PCGS PR68 Great Wall Silver Medal up for auction....  http://www.ebay.com/itm/China-1985-Great-Wall-Medal-PCGS-PR68-DCAM-94th-ANA-Convention-Only-500-Minted-/351016939942?pt=US_World_Coins&hash=item51ba3d71a6

[mcc168]

New listing on eBay for 1984 3.3 oz Great Wall.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1984-CHINA-3-3-oz-Silver-Medal-Great-Wall-NGC-PF66-Ultra-Cameo-/351179442506?pt=US_World_Coins&hash=item51c3ed094a

[bonke]

NGC census reports show 7 proof silver medals graded in type 1 & type II.  The previous discussion shows 8 medals which I have attempted to summarize below.

Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type 1 proof

1982287-005 PF65UC
3324202-003 PF63UC
3347564-005 PF64UC

Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type II proof

3260210-007 PF66UC
3553424-005 PF67UC
3684312-001 PF68UC
3692382-001 PF63UC
4153433-001 PF66UC

NGC census reports show 12 mint state silver medals graded in type 1.  The previous discussion shows 10 medals which I have attempted to summarize below.
 
Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type 1 mint state

3157481-001 MS69
3300103-059 MS66
3306854-003 unc details
3307351-001 MS66
3357451-005 MS68
3357451-006 MS68
3402622-001 MS64
3612604-003 MS69
4153438-002 MS69
3822920-002 MS70

With time passing, it is evident that all of these silver medals are rare, whether type 1 proof, type II proof or type 1 mint state.

If forum members have resubmitted one or more of these medals for regrading, please share the information so that we can delete an NGC number from this summary.

If forum members own one or more of these medals, please consider submitting it to NCS for conservation and NGC for authentication and grading.  Rare medals have historical significance and should be preserved.  I know from personal experience that "bad things" happen to rare coins or medals which are not carefully protected from human carelessness and environmental damage.

Mark Bonke

[fwang2450]

NGC census reports show 7 proof silver medals graded in type 1 & type II.  The previous discussion shows 8 medals which I have attempted to summarize below.

Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type 1 proof

1982287-005 PF65UC
3324202-003 PF63UC
3347564-005 PF64UC

Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type II proof

3260210-007 PF66UC
3553424-005 PF67UC
3684312-001 PF68UC
3692382-001 PF63UC
4153433-001 PF66UC

NGC census reports show 12 mint state silver medals graded in type 1.  The previous discussion shows 10 medals which I have attempted to summarize below.
 
Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type 1 mint state

3157481-001 MS69
3300103-059 MS66
3306854-003 unc details
3307351-001 MS66
3357451-005 MS68
3357451-006 MS68
3402622-001 MS64
3612604-003 MS69
4153438-002 MS69
3822920-002 MS70

With time passing, it is evident that all of these silver medals are rare, whether type 1 proof, type II proof or type 1 mint state.

If forum members have resubmitted one or more of these medals for regrading, please share the information so that we can delete an NGC number from this summary.

If forum members own one or more of these medals, please consider submitting it to NCS for conservation and NGC for authentication and grading.  Rare medals have historical significance and should be preserved.  I know from personal experience that "bad things" happen to rare coins or medals which are not carefully protected from human carelessness and environmental damage.

Mark Bonke

Thanks for the info, Mark. I have a 87 mirror that is ungraded. In terms of price gains, grading will not add much as these are much too rare and they often receive low grades because of the toning and white spots on them. So I am not in a hurry to have mine graded.

[SANDAC]

Mark,
I believe 3306854-003 unc details that you placed in the type 1 mint state catagory is in fact type 1 proof, judging by the mirrored background.

To the list of type II proof you should also add 2642540-001 which is the item being sold on eBay right now.

So your list should look like this:

Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type 1 proof

1982287-005 PF65UC
3324202-003 PF63UC
3347564-005 PF64UC
3306854-003 unc details

Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type II proof

3260210-007 PF66UC
3553424-005 PF67UC
3684312-001 PF68UC
3692382-001 PF63UC
4153433-001 PF66UC
2642540-001 PF66UC

Great Wall 3.3 oz silver medal - type 1 mint state

3157481-001 MS69
3300103-059 MS66
3307351-001 MS66
3357451-005 MS68
3357451-006 MS68
3402622-001 MS64
3612604-003 MS69
4153438-002 MS69
3822920-002 MS70

The last line, 3822920-002 MS70, is something new:  the slab has a peekaboo keyhole for serial number and the label shows it is #32.  Are all MS type 1 serialized?  I see NGC continue to label the MS coin as 3.3oz.  Should it be 103g (3.3 tael) instead?

I also want to provide a cross link here to a recent thread on the 1984 Great Wall: http://china-mint.info/forum/index.php?topic=10728.0

[mcc168]

Why is NGC census shows only 7 of Type II proof ever graded and no PF68UC ??? Am I missing something? Thank you.

1984 3.3OZ CHINA SILVER GREAT WALL COIN CENSUS
Description:    CHINA - MEDALS
Category:    WORLD COINS
Denomination:    SILVER
Year/Mint:    (1984) 3.3oz CHINA
Variety:    GREAT WALL
Designation:    PFUC
Total Graded:    7
Census Detail

    PRAG   G   VG   F   VF   40   45   50   53   55   58   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70
Base   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   1   1   2   2   0   0   0
* Star   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   

[bonke]

Sandac

Thanks for the corrections.  I agree.

I do not know if all of the mint state (type 1) medals have edge numbers.  If they do, it may be worthwhile for the owners to re-submit them for a new holder (showing the number) and a new label.  3822920-002 is a more interesting medal with the edge number shown and specified on the holder.

If the mint state medals have edge numbers, it seems as though the proof medals should be similarly numbered.  If any of the forum members have an ungraded medal, please look at it for an edge number and share the information with us.

Also, I have noticed over time that the NGC census numbers are not perfect.  Still, NGC is willing to correct information upon request.  If an owner of a coin requests correction, they will do so.  I am saying this from personal experience.  Sometimes, I have submitted pictures of a coin with a request and, at other times, I have just made the request.

Mark Bonke

[pandamonium]

There are 3 versions or types of the Great Wall?   I looked at photos of page 1 but was told they were mislabled.   Could someone post photos of all 3?.........

[bonke]

I looked at page 1 pictures and see the problem.

My type 1 proof has the great wall continuing to the bottom of the medal without any words in english or chinese.
My type 11 proof has the great wall cut off on the bottom by a straight line with writing on the top and bottom.
My type 1 mint state has the great wall continuing to the bottom of the medal, but the coin has a satin finish without any polished or reflective surfaces.

Hopefully, someone with great skills will add the pictures which you requested.

Mark Bonke