Following the return of Hong Kong to China, the two dollar obverse features the Bauhinia
Flower which was supplied by Joseph Yam as well as the country of origin in both English and Chinese. The
reverse shows the denomination in Chinese and English along with the date
and numerical value. The coin has a scalloped design making it prominent addition.The first Hong Kong currency was established
in 1864 by the fifth Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Hercules Robinson and the Hong Kong Mint was established on 7th May, 1866
in order to provide a steady supply of silver dollars. The new coins were not well received by traders or residents and the
mint was closed in 1868 and sold to the Japanese Mint in Osaka at a loss of 300 per cent on the initial investment. The Hong
Kong mint had also accumulated huge losses on the production of the silver coins. The following years saw thousands of Chinese
migrants settling in Hong Kong.
It was not until 1st July, 1898, that China leased the New Territories along with another 235 islands, including Kowloon,
to Britain for a period of 99 years. This lease expired in July 1997 and the colony was duly handed back to the Chinese authorities
after 150 years of British reign. Hong Kong coinage would no longer bear the Queens effigy and a Bauhinia flower designed
by Joseph Yam was chosen to be the future obverse design.
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