Rare Coins And Scarce Coins Of Hong Kong Regal Coinage

Posted by slang on September 16, 2009

Generally, many coin collectors would presume that the rare coins of Hong Kong would come from the Queen Victoria half-dollar minted prior to 1885 and scarce coins from all silver coins of the 1870’s (except 1876) and the ten cents of 1863 to 1865.

However, extracted from Hong Kong Art and Collectibles Club ,in turn the information is from a handbook entitled “Regal Coinage of Hong Kong” published by Hong Kong Museum of History, the following are some of the rare coins of Hong Kong:-

RARE COINS DURING THE QUEEN VICTORIA REIGN:

Hong Kong-Rare Coins From Qn Victoria Reign

Victoria one mil 1864 &  Victoria ten cents 1864

• Both coins are exceedingly rare and were never apparently issued in the Colony even published mintage figure for both coins is large. Probably a few pieces were struck from dies prepared for 1864, but official reports show that no Hong Kong coins were ordered for that year.

Victoria half-dollar 1867

• The combined mintage for the half-dollars of 1866/67 is given as less than sixty thousand. From the numbers apparently extant today it is estimated that the ratio of these bearing the date 1867 was probably not more than one in twenty-five, and possibly considerably less.

Victoria twenty cents 1879

• With a mintage of only twenty four thousand this is undoubtedly the ‘key’ date in the twenty cent series. Up to the present time only specimens in worn condition have been found in local collections.

Victoria twenty cents 1881

• Although the twenty cent coins of 1880 and 1881 were apparently struck in equal quantities (twenty five thousand), that of 1881 is much the scarcer of the two. There is no obvious reason for this, but the example points to the fallibility of placing too much trust in published figures, when attempting to evaluate rarity.

RARE COINS DURING THE KING EDWARD VII:

Edward VII ten cents 1905

• Though the published mintage figures for this issue exceed thirty three million, this coin was apparently never circulated in the Colony. However, a few specimens have appeared but only in overseas market over the past ten years.

Edward VII twenty cents 1905

• According to mintage figures this date should be about three times as common as either 1902 or 1904, however, only around twenty coins of 1905 have been located. This leads one to the conclusion that these coins were for some reason only issued in very small quantities. The marked rarity of the ten cent coin of this date lends support to this theory.

RARE COINS DURING THE KING GEORGE VI:

Rare Hong Kong coin-King George VI 1941 One(1) Cent

George VI one cent 1941

• Two separate consignments of these coins left the United Kingdom by ship towards the end of 1941. One shipment is reported to have been recalled en route, whilst the fate of the other is not known. Recently, however, a few of these coins have come to light from Japanese sources, so that it now seems reasonable to assume that the second consignment fell into the hands of the Japanese, who, following their practice at that time, melted the coins down for war purposes. Fortunately for collectors, a few of them apparently escaped that fate, and during the past years about a few tenths specimens have come to light.

George VI five cents 1941-H & George VI five cents 1941-KN

• Due to the war with Japan these two coins were never apparently shipped to Hong Kong for issuing. Apart from those in major museum collections, more than hundred specimens of (2) and less than twenty of (1) have been discovered in Hong Kong.

A Record High For A 5 Cent 1920 King George V Silver Coin,Straits Settlement

Posted by slang on December 22, 2008

In my earlier article, at the Marvin International Auction,Singapore, a choice Uncirculated condition 5 cent 1920 King George V SILVER coin fetched a whopping USD9,000 price tag (excluding 15% buyer premium +7% gst). This coin has a 0.400 silver content with original mintage of 4,000,031( do not know how many is left)

However, at a recent November 2008 Mavin Auction, a shocking RECORD PRICE is realized for the same type of coin George V, 5 Cents, 1920, (KM.31), silver, NGC MS65. Lot 1208. Auction price range from US$12,000-13,000 but Realised: US$33,000(excluding 15% buyer premium + 7%GST). With this record price, it has now superceded any Straits Settlements coins to-date being sold including the 50cent Queen Victoria coins.

Another similar George V, 5 Cents, 1920, (KM.31), silver, with lower grade condition where the reverse of the coin is About Extremely Fine(AEF), the obverse of the coin is Very Good(VG). Lot no 1207 which has an auction price ranging from US$500-600 realised a figure of US$400(excludin 15% buyer premium+7%GST)

Its cousin, George V, 5 Cents, 1920, (KM.34), COPPER-NICKEL, multi coloured toning, weak strike, about uncirculated fetched only USD 120 from the auction price S$160-200

1935-B $1 British Trade Dollars

Posted by slang on December 19, 2008

Earlier article on brief background of the British Trade dollars refers.

For British Trade Dollars, the following are rare due to its scarcity:

• 1921 B Dollar,
• 1934B and
• 1935B Dollars.

The 1921 B Dollar was struck but never released for circulation. A few copies were given away to various officials and the remainder of the issues were melted down. Proof restrikes were made in very limited amounts in 1962Next are the 1934B and 1935B Dollars were struck and shipped to Hong Kong. They were deposited in the vaults of a Hong Kong Bank as security against the dollar bank notes introduced in Hong Kong in 1935. A limited number of the 1934B Dollars ( from 100 to 300 at least) were released.

However, for the 1935B, it is doubtful if more than 25 pieces were issued. The remainder of the 1934B and 1935B Trade dollars were returned to the Mint for melting before World War II.

Hence, it was no surprise that on January 2007, George V Silver Trade Dollar 1935B KM-T5 Bombay mint realized USD37,375.00 ( as mentioned above that it is the second rarest of all the British Trade Dollars of this era ( after 1921-B)