The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of Hong Kong —China's special administrative region— since 1863, when it was first minted by the British Empire. Although five years later it was removed from circulation, the old British colony would have its own currency reintroduced and it is its legal tender today. It is divided into 100 cents.
Origins and history of the Hong Kong dollar.
As Hong Kong was a British colony from 1841 to 1941 (and British overseas territory from 1941 to 1997), the United Kingdom tried to implement a system based on the pound. The plan did not work as the people of Hong Kong were reluctant to use it. Consequently, in 1860 the Hong Kong Mint was established and the Hong Kong dollar was first created. The process started in 1863 and was interrupted 5 years later because the Chinese did not like the coins which resembled the Mexican and Spanish ones, used for 50 years prior to this period.
In 1873 the international silver crisis resulted in a devaluation of the Hong Kong dollar as it was attached to the "gold standard" of the US dollar. Following this depreciation and as a great number of Mexican and Spanish coins were still in circulation, the British Government took part, partly under the pressure of Hong Kong authorities.
The dollars from British trade started to be officially used in Hong Kong. In 1906 several territories belonging to the British Empire started to issue their own currencies. In 1935 silver dollars started to flow out of Hong Kong and China.
As Japan occupied Hong Kong during the Second World War the Japanese yen was imposed as the official currency, but after the war this currency was banned and the Hong Kong dollar was brought back to be later linked to American dollar in 1972.
Current Hong Kong dollar coins and banknotes
The Hong Kong government is in charge of minting coins. Currently, we have coins of 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1, 2, 5 and 10 dollars.
Regarding notes, there are three commercial banks (HSBC, the Standard Chartered Bank and the Bank of China) issuing notes under the supervision of the monetary authority of Hong Kong –its Central Bank. The design and colour vary depending of the denomination. Today there are notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Hong Kong dollars.
Did you know?
- Hong Kong Dollar is one of the most exchanged currencies in the world.
- Hong Kong dollar has a fixed exchange rate to American dollar of 7.80 HK$ for 1 US$.
- Usually abbreviated $, when it needs further differentiation it is called HKD.
- Hong Kong dollar is also used in Macau, the former Portuguese colony where the Macau pataca has a similar value.
Why changing currency with us is better than with your bank?
 Global Exchange | Your high-street bank | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variety of currencies | We have more than 70 currencies. We are specialists. | Only major currencies. Travel money is just a secondary business for banks. | ||
| Availability of currencies | Immediate availability of currencies in our branches. Click and collect or walk in to our stores. | The branch requests it from the head office and they can take a long time for having the currency available, or even not at all. | ||
| Expenses | Only the exchange rate, no commission, and if you book online you are guaranteed the best price. | The bank sets its own margin plus a commission. | ||
| Different denominations available | At Global Exchange, you’ll get a variety of banknotes with different values, adapted to all your payment needs. | No. Prepare for refusals and complaints in foreign languages when paying with «big» banknotes. | ||
| Delivery options | Order online to benefit from a price reduction and collect at the branch of your choice. | You’ll have to go first to your bank to order the currency you need, then wait for it to come and go back again to collect it. | ||
| Timetables | We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. | Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. | ||
| Anything else? | Airport collection on the day of your trip. All comfort. | Air-what? What miles are you talking about? No, sir. This is a bank, not an airline. |