Hong Kong 1980 10 cents
This specimen was lot 72315 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2019), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, ""HONG KONG. 10 Cents, 1980. PCGS SPECIMEN-66 Gold Shield. Virtually never encountered finer, this plus Gem features brilliant radiance and luster. Not surprisingly, PCGS has certified just two specimens finer. Ex: King's Norton Mint Collection." This type was struck at the Royal Mint 1973-80. The SCWC notes that this date was never released into circulation but that several thousand have escaped into the numismatic market, rendering this date scarce instead of rare. This module and alloy was introduced in 1948 and used until 1982, when the denomination was reduced to 2 grams. British coinage for Hong Kong ceased in 1997 when the island was returned to China. The bust of Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse.
Recorded mintage: 24,000,000.
Specification: 4.46 g, nickel-brass, reeded edge, 20.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-28.3.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Illustrated Catalog of Hong Kong Currency, Hong Kong: Mars Numismatic Co., 2012.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2019 Collector's Choice Sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2019.
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