Hong Kong five-cent coin

The five-cent coin was first issued as a silver coin of .800 fineness in 1866. It had a diameter of 15 mm, thickness of 0.80 mm, weighed 1.34 grams, and had a reeded edge. This coin was minted in silver until 1935, when its composition was changed to copper-nickel. It had an extensive mintage between 1866 and 1933, with some issued in 1932-33 with a plain edge. The coin was not minted in 1869-71, 1878, 1896, and 1906-1932. The following copper-nickel denomination was identical in all aspects except the composition and weight: it weighed 1.36 grams, 0.02 grams heavier than the previous coin. This was a one-year type as it was replaced with a pure nickel coin in 1937. This time, it had a diameter of 16.51 mm, was 1.73 mm thick, and weighed 2.59 grams. This was minted until 1941, with the last issue being scarce. Unlike the very rare 1941 Hong Kong one-cent coin these are available, although were never released to circulation because of the Japanese occupation.[2]

Five cents
Hong Kong
Value0.05 HKD
Mass2.6[1] g
Diameter16.51 mm
Thickness1.73 mm
EdgePlain
CompositionNickel-brass
Years of minting1866–1979
Catalog number-
Obverse
DesignQueen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Reverse
DesignHong Kong with value in English and Chinese

For a period of eight years the denomination was replaced by banknotes and the Japanese military yen. When reintroduced in 1949, it had the same specifications as the last issue, but was minted in nickel-brass. Until 1970 the issue had a reeded security edge; afterwards, it was only reeded. This coin was issued in 1949-50, 1958, 1960, 1963-65, 1967, 1971–72, and 1977–80, with a non-circulating coin issued in 1988. The 1964H issue is scarce. On 1 January 1989, the coin ceased to be used as currency.

Five-cent coin dated 1949, featuring the portrait of King George VI of the United Kingdom on its obverse

Mintage

Mintmarks

  • H = Heaton
  • KN = King's Norton
Year[3] Mintage
1903 6,000,000
1904 8,000,000
1905 1,000,000
1905H 7,000,000
1932 3,000,000
1933 2,000,000
1935 1,000,000
1937 3,000,000
1938 3,000,000
1939H 3,090,000
1939KN 4,710,000
1941H 777,000
1941KN 1,075,000
1949 15,000,000
1950 20,400,000
1958H 5,000,000
1960 5,000,000
1963 7,000,000
1964H ???
1965 18,000,000
1965H 6,000,000
1967 10,000,000
1971KN 14,000,000
1971H 6,000,000
1972H 14,000,000
1977 6,000,000
1978 10,000,000
1979 4,000,000
1988 40,000 circulation. 20,000 proof.

References
  1. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/hong_kong-2.html?q=10
  2. 5 Cent Hong Kong Bronze/Silver George VI (1895-1952)
  3. Krause, Chester L. (2001). Standard Catalog of World Coins. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 919. ISBN 9780873418843.
  • Ma Tak Wo 2004, Illustrated Catalogue of Hong Kong Currency, Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co., LTD Kowloon Hong Kong. ISBN 962-85939-3-5
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.