If you're reading this you are most likely a coin collector, as I am, and you may be looking for a new direction for your collection. Chinese Silver Pandas are an excellent way to go. They are beautiful pieces of art as well a great investment. The silver coins are (obviously) more accessible financially to many, than gold coins including gold pandas. The coins come in several sizes from 1/10 oz up to a kilo, with the most popular (and my favorite) being the 1 oz. They are 99.90% pure silver and are the size of an Eisenhower Dollar.

The obverse (front) of the coin shows the Temple of Heaven in the center with chinese letters curving over the top which translate into: Bank of Peoples Republic of China and the year curving around the bottom. The reverse (back) has an image of a panda or pandas, which changes every year, ecxept years 2001 & 2002, which were the same. This would be a fairly easy set to put together fully since it only began in 1983. With that years coin in proof only going for $550.00 as of this writing.

*There is one caveat, there are a lot of fakes comming out of China (see CoinAge Magazine, June 2006 pg. 34) This of course includes Pandas of Silver & Gold. The main way to tell the difference is to weigh your silver coins. Real one ounce silvers weigh 31.12 grams the fakes weigh 27 - 28 grams. Except for the first years of Silver Panda minting, from 1983 to 1987, which weighed 27 grams. If you do not have the ability to weigh them, ask a local coin dealer to, they should have the equipment.

* Thanks to E-bay member 8dohc for his input.