Chinese Panda, British Britannia, and the Austrian Corona Gold Coins: An Introduction

To continue our discussion of gold coins, I am going to introduce you to the Chinese Panda, the British Britannia, and the Austrian Corona gold coins.  See also:  Krugerrand, American Gold Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and the Australian Gold Nugget: An Introduction, and Does the Mexican Peso Contain Gold; Part One, and Does the Mexican Peso Contain Gold; Part Two.

Chinese Panda Gold Coin

Introduced in 1982, the Panda gold bullion coins are produced by the China Gold Coin Inc. (CGCI), the official mint of the People’s Republic of China (aka “China”).   The Panda design changes every year (with one exception).  In the United States, Panda America has been an official distributor since 1982. 

On the obverse (front) side of the coin is a depiction of the Temple of Heaven (located in Beijing) in the center with the year of issue below it.  On the top are Chinese characters saying “Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo” meaning “People’s Republic of China.”   If it is a commemorative issue, the theme will be marked at the bottom. 

On the reverse (back) side you will find different portraits of the panda which change every year (except in 2001 and 2002, which share the same design).  It also includes the face value and the gold content.

The gold Pandas are legal tender in the People’s Republic of China, and are currently issued in face value denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, and 25 Yuan, which correspond with 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, and 1/20 troy ounces of gold respectively.

These all have a gold fineness of 999:  1 troy ounce (face value: 500 Yuan; wt: 31.103g);  1/2 troy ounce (face value: 200 Yuan; wt: 15.5515g); 1/4 troy ounce (face value: 100 Yuan; wt: 7.7758g); 1/10 troy ounce (face value: 50 Yuan; wt: 3.1103g); and 1/20 troy ounce (face value: 25 Yuan; wt: 1.5552g).

You can order a 2009 China Panda Coin 1/20 oz. 99.9% pure gold coin for only $149 by clicking on the link below:

2009 China Panda Coin 1/20 Oz. 99.9% Pure Gold Coin

British Britannia Gold Coin

Introduced in 1987, the Britannia gold bullion coins are produced by The Royal Mint. While The Royal Mint is a department of government and its primary responsibility is to provide coinage for the UK (United Kingdom), it also makes coins for more than 100 countries.

On the reverse (back) side of the coin is a depiction of Britannia, the year issued, and the gold content.  While Britannia is the Latin name for Great Britain, she is also personified as a goddess, often wearing the helmet of a centurion and holding a spear and a spiked shield, or with the shield nearby.    

On the obverse (front) side of the coin you will find a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the face value of the coin. 

They are currently issued in face value denominations of 100, 50, 25, and 10 Pounds, which correspond to 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/10 troy ounces of gold respectively.

They have a millesimal fineness of 917 (91.7%, 22 carat) gold, the non-gold component being copper until 1989 and silver from 1990:  1 troy ounce (face value: 100 Pounds; wt: 31.104g);  1/2 troy ounce (face value: 50 Pounds; wt: 15.552g); 1/4 troy ounce (face value: 25 pounds; wt: 7.776g); and 1/10 troy ounce (face value: 10 Pounds; wt: 3.110g).

Austrian 100 Corona Gold Coin

Corona pieces are no longer minted in Austria, but between 1908 and 1914 these bullion gold pieces were an important part of Austrian commerce. They were minted in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 100 Coronas at the Austrian Mint.  

After the death of Franz Joseph in 1916, official restrikes were issued as commemorative pieces bearing the date 1915.  The Austrian 100 Corona coins are minted of 900 fine (21.6 karat) gold, and each coin contains 0.9803 troy ounce of gold.  It weighs 33.8753g.

The obverse (front) side of the coin features a bust of Franz Josef I.  Franz Josef I (1830-1916) ruled as both Emperor of Austria (1848-1916) and King of Hungary (1867-1916). It was during his reign that the Austro-Hungarian Empire was created.  His nephew and heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, which is commonly considered the catalyst for World War I.

On the reverse (back) side of the coin is the coat of arms of Austria superimposed over a crowned Imperial double-headed eagle.  The date and the face value of the coin are written twice, in Latin and in German.

One Comment on Chinese Panda, British Britannia, and the Austrian Corona Gold Coins: An Introduction

E. Loring


I would like to sell a ring with an Austrian 100 Corona coin. Can you give me a price?
Thanks you.

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