Hong Kong's Return to China 1997: sketches of the coins and alternatives

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50 cents sketch.  A dragon.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

Lady Haddon-Cave initially suggested a dragon for the 50 cents coin.

The dragon depicted is the Lung.

This is the most powerful of the three species of dragon.


The Lung is also a creature of good omen.

It symbolises the primeval energy that uphold the world.

Simultaneously, it symbolises the spirit of change.

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50 cents sketch.  An ox.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority suggested an ox, rather than a dragon.

1997 would be the Year of the Ox.


The ox symbolises the coming of spring, as in a new beginning.

It also symbolises a comfortable life.

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50 cents sketch.  An ox.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The Hong Kong government disliked the ox design.

They considered the ox to be too lean, hungry and angry-looking.

This design was presented as an improvement.

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50 cents sketch.  An ox.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The final version of the ox design.

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The issued 50 cents design.

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1 dollar sketch.  A unicorn.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

A Chinese unicorn, the Ch'i Lin.

The unicorn is a creature of good omen.

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The issued $1 design.

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2 dollars sketch.  The He He brothers, symbol of harmony.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

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2 dollars sketch.  The He He brothers, symbol of harmony.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

Here the sketch is shown on a scalloped coin.

The issued $2 coin is scalloped.




The issued $2 design.

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5 dollars sketch.  A rounded version of the character Shou.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

Good luck signs: the Chinese character Shou, symbolising longevity.

Shou is surrounded by five bats, harbingers of the Five Blessings.

These are long life, wealth, health, love of virtue, and achieving one's destiny in life.

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The issued $5 design.

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10 dollars sketch.  A bridge, symbol of transition.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

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The issued $10 design.

[coinote]

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