Peter Anthony: The 2000 25 Yuan 1/4 oz. Mirrored gold Panda is a key coin in the Panda series. This year is one of the most sought-after in the Panda set and every denomination sells for a significant premium. Like the 1998 and 1999 Pandas the 2000 was caught in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. Demand for gold Pandas plummeted and many are reported to have been melted. In addition there were cross-currents unique to this year as many coins were bought by non-collectors as keepsakes of the turn of the millennium.

There are two major varieties of the 2000 gold Pandas: Frosted and Mirror. The 2000 25 Yuan gold Mirrored is a Shanghai Mint coin. The two versions are not hard to tell apart; the outer ring around the Temple of Heaven is either Frosted or reflective. In their original mint-sealed pouches the mirrored coins were single wrapped without a hard plastic capsule.

The total mintage for both varieties is 41,837. It’s clear that far fewer than that are available in B.U. condition today. The Mirrored variety of 10 Yuan is quite possibly the rarest of all major Panda varieties.

Around three out of four of the 2000 25 Yuan Mirrored Pandas achieve the MS-69. Red spots are a commonplace problem on unconserved 2000 gold Pandas. The head is the place most likely to show wear or rub.

The 2000 25 Yuan Mirrored gold Panda is part of three NGC Registry sets: "Gold 1/4 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State," "Gold 1/4 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State (Incl. Varieties)" and "Gold 1/4 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State and Proof."