[Complete Set of Mythical Beast Banknotes with Matching Serial Numbers] Standard Chartered Hong Kong, July 1, 1997, Return Edition

This is a very classic set of Hong Kong dollar banknotes issued by Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, the day of Hong Kong's return to China. All five banknotes have the same serial number A979050 and have all been professionally graded and encapsulated by PMG. It is a highly renowned set of Hong Kong dollar collectibles, commonly known as the "Standard Chartered Mythical Beast Banknotes."

Auspicious Beasts on the Front of Each Denomination (Set of 5)

• 20 Yuan (PMG 66 EPQ): Dragon Turtle (Ao Turtle), symbolizing longevity and good fortune; Reverse: Standard Chartered Headquarters Building + Bauhinia Flower
• 50 Yuan (PMG 65 EPQ): Lion, symbolizing protection and warding off evil; Reverse: Standard Chartered Headquarters Building + Bauhinia Flower
• 100 Yuan (PMG 66 EPQ): Qilin, a mythical beast symbolizing good fortune; Reverse: Standard Chartered Headquarters Building + Bauhinia Flower
• 500 Yuan (PMG 64): Phoenix, king of birds; Reverse: Standard Chartered Headquarters Building + Bauhinia Flower
• 1000 Yuan (PMG 62, with marked defects): Dragon, the supreme dragon; Reverse: Standard Chartered Headquarters Building + Bauhinia Flower

Uniform Watermark: Warrior portrait watermark, date printed on all stamps 1st July 1997 (July 1, 1997), a special edition issued to commemorate Hong Kong's return to China. The A prefix is ​​the first issue, making it more valuable to collectors than subsequent prefixes.

Grading Information Interpretation

1. ✅ EPQ：Exceptional Paper Quality, indicating excellent original paper quality, no treatment, and excellent original condition (three banknotes with high EPQ scores: 20/50/100).

2. Scores:

• 20 Yuan: 66EPQ (Gem Uncirculated)
• 50 Yuan: 65EPQ
• 100 Yuan: 66EPQ
• 500 Yuan: 64 (Choice UNC)
• 1000 Yuan: 62 points, with labels noting Stains Lightened, Piece Missing, Tear, indicating this 1000 Yuan note has defects and tears, showing signs of treatment, a significant weakness in this set.

Key Highlights：A complete set of 5 banknotes with identical serial numbers A979050. The complete set with matching serial numbers is the biggest selling point of this collection; collecting a full set with identical serial numbers is extremely difficult.

Collection Background

This Standard Chartered auspicious beast banknote set was designed by Henry Shek, and is one of the most classic designs in the history of Hong Kong banknotes. It places traditional Chinese mythological auspicious beasts on Hong Kong banknotes, showcasing strong Eastern aesthetics; the date chosen is July 1st, the date of the handover, making it highly commemorative.

This Standard Chartered auspicious beast banknote set comes in two versions：the regular year version and the 1997.7.1 Handover Special Date Version. Your set is the Handover Date Version, with the "A" prefix, making it more valuable than the regular year version.