Peter Anthony:1989 was the best year in a decade for palladium prices. Potential new uses and greater demand for it and its sister element platinum encouraged the China Mint to issue its first Palladium Panda coin. The 1989 50 Yuan 1 oz. palladium Panda didn’t take off in popularity and neither did palladium. The metal’s price fell about 20% in 1990 and so did demand for palladium coins.

During the 1990's some of these Pandas were lost due to melting which further reduces our current population. While this coin has long been recognized as scarce the lack of demand has kept prices relatively in check. Because there was no follow-up the 1989 Palladium Panda is something of an orphan in regards to collector demand. It’s a hard coin to fit into a set. The average grade is Proof-68 but a significant number fall below that. As with other 1989 Pandas the high point on this coin is the bear’s forehead and it is this spot that most often picks up some rub or wear.