Although the differences are less pronounced than some date variations found on United States coins, the large date and small date Chinese Pandas are straightforward to tell apart.
Why are There Date Variations on Chinese Silver and Gold Pandas?
The Chinese Panda series is updated annually with a different depiction of panda bears on the reverse. The obverse features the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests within the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
Several mint locations in China have produced the Chinese Panda coin series. Chinese mints typically do not use a mint mark to distinguish the originating mint. Among the coins from the Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Shenyang mint locations, some issues have subtle differences, like the typeface used for the date. Other differences that may distinguish Pandas from each other are in the Temple of Heaven on the obverse.
Whether these subtle changes are a counterfeiting deterrent or simply an aesthetic decision, they add a layer of complexity to the hunt for collectors.
How to Distinguish Large and Small Date Pandas
With some issues of the Gold Chinese Panda and Silver Panda series, the dates are straightforward to tell apart from the size alone. But other issues have typefaces that are closer together in size and style, requiring a closer assessment to tell them apart.
There are numerous variations from year to year, from major stylistic changes to more subtle revisions, so we will go over several issues and focus on the easiest aspects to assess. These are only a few examples, but they are a starting point for identifying your small and large date issues of Chinese Silver and Gold Pandas.
1989 Gold Panda Coins
1989 was one of the first years to feature different dates on Chinese Gold Pandas. The large date Pandas came from the Shenyang mint, and the small date Pandas were produced in the Shanghai mint. Distinguishing these, apart from the size of the typeface, can be done quickly by assessing the location of the date. The small date variety is closer to the rim of the coin than the large date variety, and the 9s in 1989 have an upward curving serif that nearly touches the closed upper portion of the number.
1990 Gold and Silver Panda Coins
1990 was the second year of issue for the Chinese Silver Panda, and the 1990 issues of the Silver and Gold Panda coins reversed the standards of the previous issue. The large date is closer to the rim, and the numerals are taller than the small date variety of the 1990 releases.
1991 Gold and Silver Panda Coins
On the 1991 issue of the Chinese Silver and Gold Panda coins, the large date has a serif on the bottom of the numeral 1s, while the small date has no lower serif on the 1.
1992 Gold and Silver Panda Coins
The large and small dates are more difficult to tell apart on the 1992 Chinese Pandas, but the relief on the large date issues is more pronounced than on the small date issues.
How to Identify Small and Large Date Pandas
It is worth keeping in mind that the differences may change from year to year, so what is true one year may not be true the following year. Some other things to look for when you are trying to determine if your Chinese Panda has a large or a small date include the following.
Boldness and Details
The large date issues feature a bolder design with pronounced features, while the small date has a more sleek design with intricate, fine details.
Size of the Numerals
The numerals of many large date Pandas are large and robust. These tend to have a rounded relief appearance and small serifs. The numerals on the small date Chinese Pandas are typically more slender and flat in their relief. Their serifs are more pronounced and rounded than the large date serifs.
Placement of the Date
The placement of the large date Chinese Panda numerals is generally close to the coin’s rim, but that is not the case in all issues, as illustrated in the 1989 Gold Panda.
Date Variations and Mintages of Silver Pandas
| Date | Description | Mintage |
| 1990 | Small and large dates | 200,000 |
| 1991 | Small and large dates | 100,000 |
| 1992 | Small and large dates | 100,000 |
| 1993 | Small and large dates | 120,000 |
| 1994 | Small and large dates | 120,000 |
| 1995 | Small and large dates | 200,000 |
| 1996 | Small, large, and micro dates | 120,000 |
| 1997 | Small and large dates | 50,000 |
| 1998 | Small, large, and micro dates | 250,000 |
| 2001 | Small and large D | 250,000 |
