Peter Anthony: From 1983–2000 all 1/20 oz. Pandas were denominated with 5 Yuan. The 2001 20Y 1/20 oz. B.U. gold Panda is part of the first year of new, higher denominations for the series. It features a very medal-like rimless design on the Panda side. This contributes to the feeling that the bamboo forest stretches on far beyond the coin’s edge.

2001 was a year in which gold’s price touched its modern lows below $300/oz. There were other negatives affecting demand for gold Pandas: the effects of the Asian Crisis lingered as well as a lack of excitement after the millennium hoopla the year before. The 20Y 1/20 oz. B.U. gold Panda has an announced mintage of 200,000 but it seems that far, far fewer than that exist today.

This coin can suffer from red spots but aside from that it usually grades well; close to 90% of graded coins are MS-69 or better. Wear or rub, if present, is usually seen on the head or body of the bear.

The 2001 20 Yuan gold Panda is part of three NGC Registry sets: "Gold 1/20 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State," "Gold 1/20 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State (Incl. Varieties)" and "Gold 1/20 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State and Proof."