Hong Kong Government 1945 5-Cent Banknote (PMG 64)
Product Description
This collectible is a 1945 five-cent banknote issued by the British Hong Kong government during the post-World War II period. It is marked ND (1945), with the International Banknote Catalogue number Pick#322 and format code KNB11. It has been certified by the internationally renowned banknote appraisal organization PMG, receiving a 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (fine, uncirculated, original high-quality paper) grade.
This is a single-sided, small-denomination, everyday banknote with a blank reverse. Due to its high post-war circulation, surviving examples of this uncirculated EPQ note are rare, making it an essential item for building a set of 1940s British Hong Kong cent notes.
Detailed Analysis of the Front and Back of the Banknote
Front Printing
| Title Text Layout | ** The top of the banknote features the horizontal English text "GOVERNMENT OF HONGKONG," while the center displays the traditional Chinese characters "香港政府" (Hong Kong Government), indicating the issuing authority in both English and Chinese. |
|---|---|
| Denomination Layout | ** The four corners of the banknote are marked with the Arabic numeral "5c" and the traditional Chinese characters "伍分" (Five Cents). The large oval area on the left is covered with a finely intricate grid of security features, and the large vertical characters "伍分" (Five Cents) in the center highlight the denomination. |
| Legal Currency Remarks | ** The banknote bears the English text "THESE NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING TWO DOLLARS." The center displays the English text "FIVE CENTS" and the traditional Chinese characters "伍分," and the bottom features the original handwritten signature of the Financial Secretary from that period. |
| Era-Specific Portrait | ** The right oval border engraves a portrait of King George VI in military uniform. Only available in 1945. Early post-war coinage used the same design, with the 1960s version replacing Queen Elizabeth II's portrait; this is a key distinguishing feature. |
| Printing process | The entire note is printed using a single-color intaglio engraving in emerald green, with a full-page, fine, three-dimensional anti-counterfeiting background. The ink is evenly and saturated, without any ink smudging, severe wear, or large areas of staining indicating circulation damage. |
Blank Reverse Side
The reverse side of the banknote is completely blank. Through the cover, traces of ink printing from the front can be faintly seen. There are no independent patterns, text, or anti-counterfeiting features; only the original off-white cotton banknote paper. There is no watermark or security thread, a characteristic of the unified design of Hong Kong government subsidiary banknotes in the 1940s.
Complete Specifications of the Collection
| Issuing Authority | Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Government (British) |
|---|---|
| Issuance Period | 1945 (No year on the banknote) |
| International Catalogue Number | Pick #322 |
| Version Code | KNB11 Original Post-War Version by King George VI |
| Face Value | 5 Cents |
| Printing Method | Single-sided intaglio printing, blank reverse |
| Paper Material | High-strength professional cotton banknote paper |
| Condition | PMG 64 Choice Unc EPQ - Pristine, Excellent, Uncirculated |
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