Peter Anthony: The 1998 10 Yuan proof silver Panda is notable for several reasons. First and foremost it is colorized. Colorized Pandas were made in only three years: 1997-1999. The colors were applied through a screening process and not painted on. With magnification the screen is visible as a series of colored dots. The very charming Panda image on the 1998 proof appears on no other coin except the 1998 ½ oz. proof silver Panda. Not surprisingly, the 1998 ½ oz. and 1 oz. colorized silver Pandas are sometimes sold together as a pair. The Temple of Heaven on the obverse is also a slightly different shape than the one found on the B.U. silver Pandas.

The authorized mintage is 100,000. The colorized Pandas were not minted in China but rather in Switzerland and are the only official Pandas to be struck in Europe. The quality of the Swiss PAMP (Produits Artistiques Métaux Précieux) Mint was quite good. When it is available this coin often grades well.

In the NGC Registry the 1998 10 Yuan proof silver Panda is part of three sets: “Silver 10Y Panda, 1983-Date", "One-Per-Date, Silver 10Y Panda, 1989-Date, Mint State (Incl. Varieties)" and "Silver 10Y Panda, 1983-1999, Proof.”