Harold writes: We found a 1950 Hong Kong coin which bears the resemblance of King George the Sixth on the front (he is crowned, is facing left, and his name and title ring the coin). On the back, there are four symbols of Hong Kong writing ringed by the words “Hong – Kong” at the top and Ten Cents 1950″ at the bottom. The coin seems to be two slices of metal (copper?) that are bonded together (it’s probably a score around the coin). How rare is this coin and what is it’s present value? THANK YOU!
You have a 1950 Hong Kong nickel-brass ten cent coin. Up to 1951 these coins had a reeded edge with an embedded security device. After 1951 these coins had only a reeded edge.
The coin features the crown head of King George VI of England (the father of Queen Elizabeth II, the current English monarch). The reverse shows Chinese Characters in a circle surrounded by the legend, HONG-KONG TEN CENTS 1950. 20 million 10 cent coins were produced that year.
Collectors generally only pay a premium for examples in new condition (uncirculated) in which case they are worth about US $5. Average circulated pieces bring about US 5 cents.