Coins of the Hong Kong dollar
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The Hong Kong coinage, including $10, $5, $2, $1, 50 cents, 20 cents and 10 cents, is issued by Hong Kong Monetary Authority on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Until 1992 these coins were embossed with a profile of Queen Elizabeth II's effigy. From January 1993 to November 1994, a new series depicting the bauhinia flower was gradually issued, including a new denomination $10. Since the beginning of the coin replacement programme in 1993, over 585 million Queen's effigy coins have been withdrawn from circulation. However, the Queen's Head coins remain legal tender.
The total value of coins in circulation in Hong Kong can be found in Monthly Statistical Bulletin and the Annual Report.
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[edit] Coins currently in circulation
Since the introduction of Octopus card in 1997, small value payments and purchases in Hong Kong are mostly done as Octopus transactions. As a result, usage of coins in Hong Kong has dropped significantly. The Hong Kong Government has not minted any new coins since 1998.
The obverse of each newest coin bears the standard bauhinia, with the word “Hong Kong” in Chinese characters and English. The reverse features the denomination in Chinese characters and English with a large Arabic numeral in the centre and the year of issue below.
| Queen Elizabeth II Series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | Description | Date of | ||
| Obverse | Reverse | first minting | issue | |
| 10¢ | Queen Elizabeth II, "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" | Value, colony title, year of minting | 1982 | |
| 20¢ | 1975 | |||
| 50¢ | 1977 | |||
| $1 | Queen Elizabeth II, "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" | Crest in the colonial coat of arms, value, colony title, year of minting | 1978 | |
| $2 | 1975 | |||
| $5 | Value, colony title, year of minting | 1980 | ||
| Bauhinia Series | ||||
| 10¢ | Bauhinia, SAR title | Value, year of minting | 1993 | May 1994 |
| 20¢ | October 1993 | |||
| 50¢ | ||||
| $1 | Bauhinia, SAR title | Value, year of minting | 1993 | October 1993 |
| $2 | January 1993 | |||
| $5 | ||||
| $10 | Bauhinia, SAR title | Value, year of minting | 1993 | November 1994 |
[edit] Historical denominations and coins
The following coin denominations are no longer circulated by the HKMA.
| Value | Diameter | Weight | Thickness | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mill 1863-1866 | 15 mm | 0.98 gr | 0.8 mm | Plain |
| 1 cent 1863-1926 | 27 mm | 7.53 g | 1.8 mm | Plain |
| 1 cent 1931-1941 | 21.5 mm | 4.05 g | 1.8 mm | Plain |
| 5 cent 1866-1935 | 15 mm | 1.34 g | 0.8 mm | Reeded |
| 5 cent 1937-1988 | 16.51 mm | 2.59 g | 1.73 mm | Reeded and reeded security edge. |
- The 1 mill coin was discontinued due to its unpopularity.
- 1 cent last issued in 1934, but the last mintage which was melted down by the Japanese or lost was dated 1941.
The following current denomination's that have changed in size and or shape. Image:Hong Kong 5 cents (1949).png
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[edit] Commemorative coins and coin sets
Opening of the Lantau Link, May 1997
To mark the opening of the Lantau Link, the HKMA issued a philatelic numismatic cover in May 1997, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The Lantau Link is the first road link between Lantau Island, where the new airport is located, and the rest of Hong Kong.
Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, July 1997
To commemorate the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on 1 July 1997, the HKMA, on behalf of the Government, issued a HK$1,000 commemorative proof gold coin, a proof set and a brilliant uncirculated set of seven coins with the same denominations as the coins currently in circulation. On the obverse side of each of these seven coins is the standard Bauhinia design, with a special commemorative design and denomination on the reverse.
Opening of the Hong Kong International Airport, July 1998
To mark the opening of the Hong Kong International Airport in July 1998, a $1,000 commemorative proof gold coin was issued. The gold coin features a design symbolising Hong Kong's ascent into the new century and bears the standard Bauhinia design on the obverse side.
The Five Blessings Commemorative Coin Set, February 2002
To mark the fifth year of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the HKMA, on behalf of the Government, issued a limited edition coin set that consists of five HK$50 silver coins with a gold-plated inner core, and a 9999 pure gold medallion. The five silver coins are individually engraved with a phrase and symbol of traditional blessing.
[edit] Security features
The $10 coin is made of two metals: a white nickel alloy outer ring and a brass inner core. The standard bauhinia on the obverse gives a sharp embossed image. The neat bonding between the outer and inner rings gives it another unique feature. The $10 coin has an alternate plain and milled edge. The $5 coin has a milled edge. A groove running within the milled edging contains raised English and Chinese characters, which read “Hong Kong Five Dollars”. The $1 and 50¢ coins have simple milled edges. The $2 and 20¢ coins have scalloped edges. The 10¢ coin has a plain edge. Under Hong Kong law (sections 98 – 102 of Cap. 200), anyone who makes or possesses or controls or passes any counterfeit note or coin commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to 14 years.
Adopted from the official website of Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Permission granted.
[edit] References
- Ma Tak Wo 2004, Illustrated Catalogue of Hong Kong Currency, Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co., LTD. Kowloon, Hong Kong.ISBN 962-85939-3-5
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