Peter Anthony: The 1991 50 Yuan 1/2 oz. gold Large Date Panda features the image of a Panda munching bamboo while sitting along the bank of a stream or river. After 1990’s brute this represents a reversion to the earlier cute bear theme. It is one of the five B.U. gold Pandas minted for the year. Like many Pandas from this decade the 1991 gold Large Date is seen far less often than most dates from the 1980’s.

There are two major varieties of the 1991 gold Pandas: Large Date and Small Date. The Large Date coins were struck at the Shanghai Mint. Perhaps the simplest way to tell the Large Dates apart from coins struck in Shenyang is that the numeral one in the date has a serif, or bar, at its base.

1991 is another difficult year in regards to red spots. Many, if not most, coins that have not been conserved have these. In ungraded coins the Panda’s head is the place most likely to show wear or rub. The fields are also areas for concern. On the Temple of Heaven side the fields, as usual, are susceptible to marks. With the exception of red spots the 1991 Large Date Pandas are usually well-struck and attractive. The most prevalent grade is MS-69 but a MS-70is possible. A relatively modest number of these coins have been graded so far.

The 1991 50 Yuan Large Date gold Panda is part of three NGC Registry sets: "Gold 1/2 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State," "Gold 1/2 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State (Incl. Varieties)" and "Gold 1/2 Ounce Panda, 1983-Date, Mint State and Proof."