Hong Kong 1863 10 cents
This specimen was lot 51024 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $5,760. The catalog description[1] noted, "HONG KONG. 10 Cents, 1863/33. Hong Kong Mint. Victoria. PCGS PROOF-65 Gold Shield. Plain Edge / Coin Die Axis (↑↓) variety. Highly elusive as a proof and the highest grade we have offered. A gorgeous Gem quality coin with dark toned fields and frosty devices." The British set up a mint in Hong Kong in 1866 which struck mils through dollars. It does not seem to have been a success as the mint was closed in 1868. In 1872, Hong Kong began receiving ten cent coins from the Heaton mint and in 1869 from the Royal mint. This type was minted steadily until the queen's death in 1901 and it is common in all grades. This bare bust appeared on the five, twenty and fifty cents and a "Gothic" bust of the queen was used on the cent and ten cents. British coinage for Hong Kong ceased in 1997 when the island was returned to China.
Recorded mintage: 100,000 plus proofs (reeded edge and plain edge).
Specification: 2.72 g, 0.800 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-6.1; Mars-C18.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Illustrated Catalog of Hong Kong Currency, Hong Kong: Mars Numismatic Co., 2012.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The April 2021 Hong Kong Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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