Hong Kong, Government of Hong Kong, 1 Cent KNB16a ND (1961-71) Sign 1
Product Overview
This collectible is a 1-cent single-sided subsidiary banknote issued by the British Hong Kong government. It lacks a year of issue, circulated from 1961 to 1971, and is listed in the International Banknote Catalogue (Pick#325a) and KNB16a. It bears the Financial Secretary's first-edition signature (Sign.#1). Professionally encapsulated and graded by the internationally renowned banknote grading agency PMG, it achieved a top grade of 65 EPQ (Gem Uncirculated, Excellent Paper). The paper is pristine white, and the ink is fully saturated. It is a classic collectible of the smallest denomination banknote from the colonial era.
This 1-cent banknote was issued in the 1960s when Hong Kong faced a shortage of coins. The Hong Kong government issued this single-sided small-denomination banknote as legal tender, allowing payment for amounts up to HK$1. The banknote features only text and images on the front, with the back completely blank. It is a unique single-sided circulating banknote in Hong Kong, and high-grade EPQ banknotes are extremely rare.
Front and Back Details
Front (Printed Side)
| Title Text | The top horizontal English text reads "GOVERNMENT OF HONGKONG," with the corresponding Traditional Chinese characters "香港政府" (Hong Kong Government) on the reverse. |
|---|---|
| Denomination Design | The four corners are marked with the English "1c" and the vertical Traditional Chinese characters "壹分" (One Cent). The left side features a finely crafted spiral anti-counterfeiting pattern surrounding the large "壹分" (One Cent) character. |
| Central Text Area | The legal tender clause reads "THESE NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING ONE DOLLAR," with the prominent "ONE CENT" in the center, accompanied by the Traditional Chinese characters "壹分" (One Cent) below. The bottom is printed with "FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF HONGKONG" and the Financial Secretary's signature area. |
| Portrait Area | The right side features an oval border containing a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in her youth, a classic early 1960s portrait. |
| Printing Process | Brown monochrome intaglio printing with a full-page, finely interwoven anti-counterfeiting pattern; the lines are detailed and complete. |
Back (Blank Side)
The entire back of the banknote is devoid of any patterns, text, or printing details, retaining only the original cotton banknote paper color. It lacks watermarks, security threads, and other anti-counterfeiting features, making it the most recognizable characteristic of this series.
Product Specifications
| Issuing Authority | Hong Kong Government |
|---|---|
| Circulation Period | 1961–1971 (No Year of Printing on Face) |
| International Catalogue Number | Pick#325a |
| Face Value | 1 Cent |
| Size | 89mm × 41mm |
| Printing Method | Single-sided intaglio printing, blank back |
| Paper Material | Special cotton banknote paper |
| Condition Grade | PMG 65 EPQ - Perfectly minted, uncirculated |
| Signature Version | Financial Secretary's first edition signature Sign.#1 |
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