I picked up one of these recently off a certain auction website and was wondering - did the Chinese mint make 5oz silver "medals" without the 50 yuan denomination in 2003? Or is this a counterfeit? My understanding was that the Chinese government didn't mind it's citizens copying the coinage of other countries, but attempts to copy China's own currency were dealt with pretty harshly.
For comparison, here's what the coin should look like with the "50 yuan" denomination at about 5:00: http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-16179734683124_2270_64833956
The real coin looks like a panda... yours is not even close look at the eyes and bushy eyebrows difference Yours looks like a wolverine!
Yeah, I'd have to say your 5 ounce round is just a generic round. It's obviously not a genuine China mint issue. Probably not even solid silver, either.
1000% fake. Plated silver. I'd send it back for refund immediately. Counterfeiters got around the rules by claiming it's not 100% copy as it has no denomination on it.
It hasn't arrived yet. But, when it does, I'm going to file a claim. I'm curious about whether it will weigh to spec or pass a magnet / silver acid test. I'd like to get an electrical testing apparatus for testing coins, but haven't found one that's reasonably affordable. Anyone have experience with a non-harmful way to test metal purity?
Never been a fan of the Chinese pandas, always thought they were kinda childish looking. I think your copy, if that's what it is, looks much better.
If you remember some of the latest scandals from China such as milk adulteration, lead paints on toys, expired meat etc - I would be more than surprised if there is much silver in it. Personally I would not bother to waste time and resources on it. Best rule of thumb when it comes to Chinese coins - if you don't know what you are getting into, just don't! It's like walking into a minefield and preparing to throw away money for help. Now that's a paradise for counterfeiters, not for buyers.
With the packaging, it's 6.5oz. Definitely thicker than it should be (indicative of a lower density metal core). Called eBay, found out the seller had already been banned, got a refund issued pretty quickly.
