Summary
Proof 1/2 Dollar, Issued by Hong Kong, 1866
Minted by Royal Mint, London
Supplied to the Melbourne Branch of the Royal Mint for their display at the Melbourne International Exhibition 1880. It is believed the proofs were struck in London (where the dies were made), while the working strikes were from the Hong Kong Mint. This coin was also exhibited at the 1888 Melbourne International Exhibition.
Obverse Description
Diademed head of Queen Victoria, neck bare, facing left; around within a scroll border of key pattern, above, VICTORIA; below, QUEEN
Reverse Description
At centre a Chinese labyrinth pattern; around within individual compartments four Chinese characters; around, HALF DOLLAR HONG KONG 1866; around all, a key pattern border
Edge Description
Milled
Significance
It was hoped that coins like these would be adopted for circulation in China but this did not happen. Die axis set differently to the Sydney Mint example - NU 12989
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
1866 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Artist
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Artist
Mr William Theed
Produced a portrait medallion of Queen Victoria from a personal sitting which was adapted by L.C. Wyon to form the obverse of the Hong Kong mint silver dollar and 1/2 dollar -
Artist
Owen Jones
Developed the Chinese labyrinth design for the reverse of the silver dollar and 1/2 dollar of the Hong Kong Mint (1866 - 1868), the dies were cut by Leonard Charles Wyon -
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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Dimensions
32 mm (Outside Diameter), 13.419 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
KM#8
[Book] Bruce, Colin R. 2006. Standard Catalogue of World Coins 1801 - 1900.
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Keywords
British Empire Coins, Exhibitions: Melbourne International Centennial, 1888-1889, Exhibitions: Melbourne International, 1880-1881, British Commonwealth and Empire Coins
