NGC Signs Signature Label Deal with Panda Designer Yao Youjun

Yao Youjun, an award-winning artist and designer who worked on the beloved design of China's 2026 Panda coins, has agreed to hand-sign certification labels for NGC®. Introduced amid great anticipation, the 2026 Pandas include the popular Silver 10 Yuan, with 30 grams of .999 fine silver and a mintage of 5 million.

Yao Youjun has been honored with the title of Senior Master of Arts and Crafts for China. As an accomplished artist and engraver, Yao Youjun has participated in the design of numerous precious metal commemorative coins issued by the People's Bank of China over the years. His design works have been selected for various themes, which include world cultural heritage, Buddhist holy sites, the Chinese zodiac, and New Year commemoratives.

Yao Youjun was also part of the design team for the fifth series of Chinese Renminbi (RMB) banknotes and an engraver of the back intaglio main scene "Mount Tai" on the five yuan note of the fifth series of RMB. In addition to his many accolades, he is also responsible for the reverse design of the 2026 Panda coins, which are issued in various denominations in gold, silver and platinum.

NGC's Yao Youjun Signature Label includes his hand-signed autograph, creating an exciting connection between the coin and the artist. The label features imagery of a pair of pandas eating bamboo, complementing Yao Youjun's reverse design on 2026 China Silver Panda coins.

“NGC is pleased to count Yao Youjun among the talented individuals in our Authentic Hand-Signed Labels program,” said Steven R. Eichenbaum, Chief Executive Officer of the Certified Collectibles Group, which includes NGC. “This special label, including the artist's signature, will enhance the latest Panda coins from China, which is one of the world's most sought-after annual coin series.”

For information about NGC's Yao Youjun Signature Label, contact 11 Coins, an NGC Official Submission Center, at 18516566995 or jocou@11coins.cn.