Peter Anthony: 1994 was the second year that the China Mint struck a 5 Yuan 1/20 oz. platinum Panda. The mintage was increased to 5,000, double the number from the year before and production was reportedly subcontracted to the Perth Mint in Australia. As a result the pouches that this coin was shipped in do not match those of other Chinese coins.

The mid-1990’s were a time of intense interest and speculation in platinum and the metal was popular for use in jewelry. Jewelers were a major market for the smallest Pandas like this one. That many of the coins were indeed used in pieces of jewelry is evidenced by the many coins today that show damage from mounting. While this coin is scarce it is still seen more frequently than the 1993 5 Yuan platinum Panda. Because of the way these coins were handled most do not grade particularly well and PF-69s make up only around 40% of the total. The 1994 5 Yuan platinum Panda is part of the NGC Registry set, “Platinum 1/20 Ounce Panda, 1993-1997, Mint State and Proof.”