It’s that time of the year again – the popular Chinese Panda coin has debuted in proof and bullion coin form. In production since 1982, the range has become a staple of the bullion coin market in particular, although rising mintages has seen premiums fall from previously lofty highs. As before, each variant of the coin, and there are twelve of them at present, carries the same design, so choice is down to budget and desire, we guess.

Depicting an adult holding a cub, it’s a decent design and exactly what you would expect from this quite conservative range. The obverse face carries on with the ubiquitous Temple of Heaven design, and we’d have expected nothing less.

The range remains unchanged from recent years. Gold bullion versions come in 1g, 3g, 8g, 15g and 30g weights. Gold proof in 50g, 100g, 150g and 1000g (1kg) weights. The silver bullion coin is available in the 30g size only, with 150g and 1kg weights being struck only in the limited proof format. Mintages also remain static, with the notable exception of the 30g gold bullion coin. This variant has seen a rise to one-million units, so it looks like China at least, is expecting demand to be healthy this year.

Struck by the Shenzhen Guobao Mint, the Shenyang Mint, and the Shanghai Mint, the bullion coins should be available from 30 October, the proof will debut from 10 December. Those wanting to jump in right now would do well to head on over to LPM, who already have many of the bullion coins up for order.