Peter Anthony: The solid Panda that stands head-on amidst bamboo shoots in the B.U. 1986 gold Pandas is another masterpiece of line drawing. The actual mintage of around 79,00 for the 1/20 oz. gold 5 Yuan Panda is significantly lower than the prior year. For decades this coin was considered as common as dirt and sold for the minimum premium above its melt value. That view is gradually being revised to reflect that 1986 Pandas are in fact scarcer than 1985s. It does share a history of attrition due to use in jewelry and as bullion.

A fairly modest quantity of the 1986 5 Yuan have been graded. That reflects its long history in the bullion coin dog house. It wasn’t worth grading the 1986 5 Yuan unless it was needed for a set. Of those that have been graded near 2 of 3 are MS-69s. This is usually a well-preserved coin. As its reputation rises demand for it should as well. The 1986 1/20 oz. gold Panda is part of three NGC Registry sets: "Gold 1/20 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State," "Gold 1/20 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State (Incl. Varieties)" and "Gold 1/20 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State and Proof."