Summary
Pattern 1 Tael, Issued by Hong Kong, Shanghai, 1867
Minted by Hong Kong Mint.
Obverse Description
At centre crowned British Arms within garter; below 982 G 566 around, ONE TAEL SHANGHAI HONG 1867 KONG
Reverse Description
At centre a dragon facing within a garter; around four Chinese characters
Edge Description
Milled
Significance
The Hong Kong mint was established on 7 May 1866 to strike silver coins from dies supplied from the Royal Mint, London. It was soon realized that this was not proving profitable and attempts were made to interest the Chinese government to approve the use of the silver coins within China. This coin was designed and the dies cut at the Hong Kong mint. Samples were sent to Peking (Beijing) but even the inclusion of the Chinese dragon failed to win over officials. The value of the coin is given as 1 Tael Shanghai, an accepted Chinese weight standard. Failure of this attempt to interesrt the Chinese led to the closure of the Hong Kong mint in 1868, it was sold to the Government of Japan and there set up at Osaka.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, 1978
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Date Issued
1867 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Denomination
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Material
Silver
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Axis
06
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Exhibition Collection Management
39 mm (Outside Diameter), 36.68 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
KM# Pn2
[Book] Bruce, Colin R. 2006. Standard Catalogue of World Coins 1801 - 1900.
[Book] Cribb, Joe. 1987. Money in the Bank, The Hongkong Bank Money Collection., 34 Pages
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Keywords
British Empire Coins, Pattern Coins, British Commonwealth and Empire Coins
