Peter Anthony:2002 is the only year of Pandas to repeat the design of the previous year. So the 2002 500 Yuan 1 oz. B.U. gold Panda looks almost identical to the award-winning 2001 Panda. This design features a very medal-like rimless design on the Panda side. This contributes to the feeling that the bamboo forest stretches on far beyond the coin’s edge. One major difference between 2002 and 2001 Pandas is that the reeding along the edge of the coin has changed directions from vertical to diagonal. This is an important revision. Any 2002 or later B.U. Panda, either gold or silver, with vertical reeding should be strongly suspected of being a counterfeit.

The 500Y 1 oz. B.U. gold Panda has an announced mintage of 28,345. This is almost the same mintage as the 2002 200 Yuan gold Panda but the 500 Yuan coins are much easier to find.

Like most gold Pandas it can suffer from red spots and other impairments. Just about half of graded coins are MS-69 or better. Wear or rub, if present, is usually seen on the head or body of the bear.

The 2002 500 Yuan gold Panda is part of three NGC Registry sets: "Gold 1 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State," "Gold 1 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State (Incl. Varieties)" and "Gold 1 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State and Proof."