Are Silver Pandas a good idea??

I have about a dozen silver Pandas, mainly 2009-2011, most have come from late night bid sniping sessions on Ebay. I love the pieces, but sometimes the premiums are killer. Coin shows, and coinshops from San Diego, to LA to Las Vegas, Apmex and the such all want $20.00 premium on them. Is there anywhere I can get them cheaper... ?? I know it may not be the wise investment, but sometimes I buy them ..just because I enjoy them.

Thanks for the input

-Joe

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

A lot of people are scared of Pandas because of concerns (whether true or not) of counterfeiting. Because of this, I wouldn't be paying a high premium for them as you might not recover it.

 

panda america

 

panda america

http://www.pandaamerica.com/details.asp?item=10508&grp=1&categ=1

$49

 

The best reason to buy them is because you enjoy them.

 

A friend has over a dozen counterfeit pandas he bought on ebay, So be careful buying raw pandas.

 

I hate China but they are an extraordinary coin

[HR][/HR]


>

The temple of Heaven on the front has a huge number of perfect stairs, enough to bewilder a Jefferson Nickel collector.

It is hard to believe but the new Panda actually improve on the old onesi
These are the 2012 Version



[HR][/HR]

 

there is a **** ton of fake gold and silver pandas. I tend to stay away from them personally.

Also note that just because you buy them from a reputable dealer doesn't necessarily mean they're real. You need to always DYODD.

 

Yes Panda's can be a good coin to collect some of the older dates do have a few Die Varieties large date etc.but also the Die varieties do cost more.

 

Hoki

If you buy them from Panda America they are 100% real

 

How can you detect counterfeit Pandas? What are the signs to look for?

 

Go to panda collector and they have a pretty good list with pics and tells of many of the fakes. If you're really serious about collecting them, you should probably buy a membership and get all the info.

 

I'll PM you.

I only have a few Pandas. just got the 1986 ANA Panda round. pretty cool 5 ouncer.

 

weel, they shouldn't feel like plastic or tin, nor have holographoc or glow in the dark images.

 

The gold ones are even more fun to detect. Since they're generally worth more/desirable in the plastic holder, you have collectors dissecting differences in the plastic because you can't do a weight/dimensions test.

Also, the counterfeits are getting better and better over time (pandas and otherwise). The oldest silver panda fakes are so crappy, you'd have to be blind and lack feeling in your arms to tell the difference. The new ones are harder. I dont really have the time, nor inclination to do research every time I buy one to see what the differences are, and if the counterfeiters came out with a new version. I'd rather just buy a roll of virtually any other 1 ounce govt minted gold or silver coin and know it's real.

I think it would be worthwhile to buy some, if you like them. But personally, I dont think it's a good idea to keep a decent sized portion of your stack in it, especially not if you're paying a crazy $20+ premium for them.

 

What is hoki? Around here, they're a type of fish. Don't really see how that's relevant.

Unless if the dealer only deals directly from the mint itself and doesn't deal on the secondary market, they can and will miss some fakes. That's the way it is.

 

That is also hoki but American Panda is the official outlet of the Chinese mint in the US.

 

the older ones can be pricey, Joe.

however, I really like the design of the 2009.

 

I agree with all the comments.....and thanks for all the good info, and yes again, I love the way they look, but I will defintaly not buy them for hoarding purposes. I buy one maybe every couple of months for fun. Otherwise there is just so much more great stuff out there that doesnt have or carry the risk.

 

Any Panda experts out there?

Have 1/20 golds been faked? I recently bought a 2012. Love it. Seems that it would be hard to fake because of the small size and small comparative value.