Hong Kong Coin List

The official currency of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), which has been the territory's currency since 1863. Throughout its history, Hong Kong's numismatics have reflected the political and economic changes in the region, from its time as a British colony to its current status as a Special Administrative Region of China.

Current currency in circulation

The Hong Kong dollar is divided into 100 cents and is available in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 dollar bills. Coins in circulation include denominations of 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as $1, $2, $5 and $10. A unique feature is that the bills are issued by three licensed commercial banks: HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of China, in addition to the Hong Kong government for the lower denominations.

Monetary history and relevant facts

Prior to the introduction of the Hong Kong dollar, the region used a variety of currencies, including the Spanish peso and the Indian rupee. An important milestone in Hong Kong numismatics was the introduction of the first local coins in 1863, bearing the effigy of Queen Victoria. During the Japanese occupation in World War II, the Japanese military yen was introduced. After the war, Hong Kong resumed the use of the Hong Kong dollar, and in 1997, with the transfer of sovereignty to China, new designs were introduced to reflect the new political era, while maintaining stability and confidence in the local currency.