I recently acquired this 2001D Silver Panda NGC MS69 (yes it is starting to show signs of toning). It struck me as very curious that a Chinese minted coin, that is intended for the Chinese home market, would be stamped with an English "D" rather than a Chinese character that symbolizes domestic market. The reverse of this coin is stamped with Chinese characters so why is there an English "D" on the front. Doesn't the "D" offend the Chinese Home market? I wouldn't want to see Chinese characters on US coins. Thank you Source:
I was thinking, China joined WTO in 2001. The English privy mark "D" instead of chinese word, is to tell people China is ready to connect to the world. Btw, if "D" offense the home market, why not they drop it altogether and use "I" or "O" for overseas market?