Peter Anthony: The 1994 12 oz. gold 1000 Yuan gold Panda is the key coin in this series. The official mintage is just 99, but the actual mintage is believed to be far less than that figure. This is an extremely scarce coin and on the rare occasions that it appears for sale it commands a price that can be as much as twice as high as most other dates.

Like the other 12 oz. gold Pandas, this coin sports a unique design not seen on any other denomination. It features a mother Panda with her two cubs along the banks of a stream, or river. The 1994 12 oz. gold Pandas were well-struck and the pair that have been graded so far were both PF-69s. A common flaw on many, if not most, 1994 gold Panda coins is red spots. This is a problem that NCS should be consulted about. Also, if the coin has been mishandled the large open fields of the obverse Temple of Heaven face will show it as will the high points of both faces of the coin. Any 1994 1000 Yuan gold should be treated as a rarity regardless of condition.