China Gold Coin Inc Mint

History of the China Mint

The history of the China Mint is complex and intertwined with the country’s tumultuous political landscape post-World War II. It all starts in 1945 at the end of the brutal Japanese Occupation. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, China’s nationalist government had retreated to Taiwan and it remained there throughout WWII.

Throughout that period, a communist administration led by Mao Zedong came to power after having stayed in mainland China to lead revolutionary efforts against the Japanese occupation. The nationalist party’s governmental framework - which includes the Central Bank of China and Chinese Mint - remained as part of the nationalist government now based in modern-day Taiwan (which is separate to the People’s Republic of China).

Confusion arises when people differentiate between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and its institutions (including its bank and mint) that use similar names to institutions in the People’s Republic of China. To make things more easily distinguishable, the Chinese Mint within the country of China operates as the China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation.

The China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation

Today, the official Chinese Mint operates under the name China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC). While the exact history of minting in China is unclear, it can be traced back more than 120 years ago to the Qing Dynasty.

In 1896, the Qing Dynasty government opened the first centralized mint, the Fengtian Machinery Bureau, and in 1908, the Duzhibu Printing Bureau. Many decades later, during the revolutionary era led by Mao Zedong, the first official mint of modern-day China was established, the Shangjing Mint.

Over time, these separate entities merged to form the China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation, which is currently controlled by the People's Republic of China government and overseen by the People's Bank of China. The minting facilities are situated in historical locations, including the Shenyang Mint (established in 1896), the Shanghai Mint (est. 1920), and the more modern Nanjing Mint (est. 1985).

The China Gold Coin Inc.

To add another name to the list, China Gold Coin Incorporation (CGCI) is a Shenzhen-based company under the direct supervision of the People's Bank of China.

It was founded in 1987 for the sole purpose of designing, manufacturing and marketing Chinese commemorative and investment coins in the four precious metal types. The main motif chosen was the protected panda bear, which is not only a national symbol but also the oldest ambassador of the People’s Republic of China.

The Chinese Gold Panda coins are marketed under the official name "Chinese Gold Silver Commemorative Coins" (CGSCC). The pandas are released every year with a new design in gold and silver. Platinum and palladium versions existed in the past but are no longer minted.

Bullion products from the Chinese Mint

The main bullion products released by the Chinese Mint are the commemorative gold & silver Panda coins. First released in 1979 in celebration of the People’s Republic of China’s 30th anniversary, these coins are the crowning jewel of Chinese precious metals products.

Today, the CGCI is responsible for the production of China’s bullion coins, primarily gold coins and silver coins, that celebrate China’s rich cultural heritage, historical achievements, and natural beauty.

Some of the most popular bullion products offered by the Chinese Mint include:

• Gold Panda Coins: The Chinese Gold Panda Series is the Chinese Mint’s much-loved and highly sought-after bullion product. These coins feature annually changing designs of the giant panda, a beloved symbol of China’s wildlife conservation efforts. Chinese Gold Pandas are minted in various denominations and sizes, from the 1gm Chinese Gold Panda Coin to the 30gm Chinese Gold Panda Coin, in 999 purity.
• Silver Panda Coins: Just like the Gold Panda series, Silver Panda coins showcase different designs of the giant panda each year. These coins are highly collectible and are prized for their artistic designs and purity (.999 fine silver). Silver Panda coins are available in a range of denominations, from the 1oz Silver Panda Coin to the 30gm Chinese Silver Panda Coin.
• Platinum Panda Cons: From 1987 to 2005, the China Gold Coin Inc. also produced Platinum Panda coins, featuring the same annually changing designs of the gold and silver panda coins. Minting of the Chinese Platinum Panda was discontinued in 2005, largely due to the increasing price of platinum. The remaining Platinum Pandas in circulation are extremely rare to find and some have been melted down.
• Palladium Panda Coins: The first Palladium Panda was released in 1989 with an extremely limited mintage, making it much rarer than the gold and silver counterparts. Like the platinum panda coins, these are no longer minted and are extremely rare to find.

China Panda coins design

One of the main attractions of the China Panda Coins are their ever-changing intricate designs featuring the rare panda. The Chinese Mint was the first to release sovereign gold bullion coins with changing designs annually. Every year, a new image is revealed on the reverse of the coin, adding to their rarity and collectible value. This image is the same on both gold and silver versions of the coin.

Some designs that have featured on the gold and silver panda coins include portrayals of a panda eating bamboo, climbing a tree, grazing in the wild, and lounging with cubs. In 2001, the Chinese Mint decided to freeze the design, resulting in lots of protest from investors and collectors. In 2003, it reverted back to its usual annual design change.

While the reverse of the coin features a new image of the panda each year, the obverse always features the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, one of China's oldest Taoist temples. This revered national monument has stood for centuries as an icon of Chinese culture.

Buy Chinese Gold & Silver Panda coins from StoneX Bullion

Owning Chinese gold coins and silver coins is a privilege for investors and collectors alike, providing a rare investment that offers a blend of intrinsic value as well as artistic appeal and global recognition. At StoneX Bullion, you can buy gold and silver Chinese panda coins in different denominations to suit all kinds of investors.

As an affiliate member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), we’re proudly committed to good trading practices and high-quality products. Browse through our collection of gold and silver bullion coins from China Gold Coin Inc. and make an investment that’s as valuable as it is artistic.