Hong Kong 1874-H 5 cents
This specimen was lot 51027 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "HONG KONG. 5 Cents, 1874-H. Heaton Mint. Victoria. NGC MS-69. Out of the original mintage of 280,000 specimens, this incredible survivor stands with just one other example as the finest known--a population of a scant two at NGC and none at this level seen at PCGS. Exceptionally vibrant and lustrous, this shimmering piece offers a rather alluring iridescence highlighted by some pull away toning around the legends. For the connoisseur of Hong Kong issues, it should go without saying that this rather beautiful specimen would serve as a crown jewel and features quality that is seemingly impossible to improve upon." This type was struck at the London Mint 1866-68, 1872-1901. 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: 280,000.
Specification: 1.36 g, 0.800 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-5; Mars-C8.
- 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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