China (People's Republic), gold 50 yuan (1/2 oz) Panda, 2000, frosted ring (Shenyang mint), NGC MS 69. KM-1306; PAN-327A. Scarcest denomination for this date set. Anthony: "Like the 1998 and 1999 Pandas the 2000 was caught in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. Demand for gold Pandas plummeted and many are reported to have been melted. In addition there were cross-currents unique to this year as many coins were bought by non-collectors as keepsakes of the turn of the millennium." Actual mintage for both mints: 20,811; estimated extant population for this variety