only recently into pandas....i started a thread about my shopping trip in shanghai where i picked up a couple pandas.....i have included some photos of these silver 1oz pandas....i too was concerned about the prevalence of fakes with these chinese silver coins. however, i did buy these from the source in shanghai - so i was not concerned at their authenticity. from the research i have undertaken -(and others here can confirm or ellaborate further - i understand there are 3 mints in china where the pandas are produced. the shenzhen mint, the shanghai and beijing mints. to my knowledge these pandas are exclusively distributed by the China Gold Coin Company. These are the guys that i visited in shanghai - so i am confident i have the real deal. ( I suppose that answers your third question).....
your question 1 - i just have the 2011 1oz pandas...thats my starting point...i will need to do more research before i start backdating my collection of pandas....
your question 2 - from what i have seen, seems that pandas do hold a special place in some silver stackers collections.....but like any other silver coin - everyone has their own different preference.....