Hong Kong Government 5-Cent Banknote (1961–65)
Product Overview
This item is a 5-cent single-sided subsidiary banknote from the British Hong Kong government. It lacks the year of printing (ND), was issued and circulated from 1961 to 1965, and has the International Banknote Catalogue number Pick#326 and edition code KNB17a. It is the first issue of this series with a signature. It has been awarded a top grade of 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (Perfect Uncirculated, Original High-Quality Paper) by PMG, making it a top-tier collectible among 5-cent banknotes of this type.
This banknote is a classic single-sided small-denomination subsidiary banknote from the Hong Kong colonial era. The reverse is completely blank without any images or text. Due to its extensive circulation and wear in the early years, very few high-grade EPQ banknotes remain, making it a core and rare specimen in the collection of low-denomination Hong Kong banknotes.
Design Details of the Front and Back of the Banknote
Front (Main Printed Side)
| Title Text | Horizontal English "GOVERNMENT OF HONGKONG" at the top, with the corresponding vertical Traditional Chinese "香港政府" (Hong Kong Government) on the reverse; |
|---|---|
| Denomination Layout | The four corners of the banknote are marked with the English "5c" and the vertical Traditional Chinese "伍分" (Five Cents); the left side features a large oval with a fine spiral anti-counterfeiting pattern as a background, and the large central characters "伍分" (Five Cents); |
| Legal Tender | The middle section states "THESE NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING TWO DOLLARS" in English, prominently displaying "FIVE CENTS" and the Traditional Chinese "伍分" (Five Cents); the bottom features the issuing authority's name and the original handwritten signature of the Financial Secretary from the first issue in 1961; |
| Portrait | An early portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in her youth is printed within an oval border on the right side, only available from 1961–1965. The initial version used this image, which was later replaced in a revised version with the portrait of a middle-aged queen. |
| Printing process | Single-color green intaglio engraving printing, with a full-page, intricately patterned anti-counterfeiting background. The lines are layered and three-dimensional, and the ink is saturated and even with no fading or ink breaks. |
Back (Blank Side)
The back of the banknote has no printed patterns, text, or background patterns. It is printed only on raw, light off-white special cotton banknote paper. It lacks watermarks and security threads, a unique identifying feature of Hong Kong's one-cent and five-cent subsidiary banknotes.
Complete Specifications of the Collection
| Issuing Authority | Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Government |
|---|---|
| Circulation Period | 1961–1965 (Year not indicated on the banknote) |
| International Catalogue Number | Pick #326 |
| Printing Code | KNB17a (First Issue, First Edition, Signed) |
| Face Value | 5 Cents |
| Printing Method | Single-sided intaglio printing, blank reverse |
| Paper Material | High-strength special cotton banknote paper |
| Grading | PMG 65 Gem Unc EPQ - Perfectly mint, uncirculated, original paper |
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