Hong Kong: Elizabeth II and the Return to China

[<k>]

Reverse of the $1 coin of 1997.

It features a Chinese unicorn, a creature of good omen.

[<k>]

Obverse of the $2 coin of 1997.

[<k>]

Reverse of the $2 coin of 1997.

It features the He He brothers, symbol of harmony.

[<k>]

Reverse of the $5 coin of 1997.

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

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

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

[<k>]

Obverse of the $10 coin of 1997.

[<k>]

Reverse of the $10 coin of 1997.

It features a bridge, symbol of transition.

[coinote]

Both the coins with portraits of the Queen and flowers are legal tender, you can spend both without problem.

[Figleaf]

As stated above, Hong Kong coins included a 10-sided coin of 5 HKD with a diameter of 30.8mm issued only in 1976, 1978 and 1979 (KM 39).

I have been told that the reasons for the fast disappearance of this coin were the coins of 1 HKD with a diameter of 29.8 issued in the period 1960-1975 (KM 31.1, 31.2 and 35) and the discovery that with some creative filing the "old" dollars could be made acceptable as 5 dollar coins in vending machines. I have never seen a photo of a dollar coin so adjusted, but the story is from a major established Hong Kong dealer and it sounds logical.

Note that in 1978, a 25.5 mm 1 HKD coin was introduced, but there must have been a supply of old size dollar still available. The successor of the ill-fated 10-sided 5 HKD was 27 mm and even at that size heavier than its predecessor, because it was much thicker.

Would anyone have a picture of a filed dollar coin?

Peter

[Figleaf]

<k> sent me some documents on Hong Kong coins. They included a letter from the Hong Kong monetary authority (HKMA) to the sales director of the UK mint dated 13th February 1996. In this letter was the following paragraph:

Which shows that there was indeed an issue involving vending machine fraud with the $5 coins that led to their withdrawal. Amazing that nobody has a picture of such a mutilated coin.

Peter