Hong Kong one-cent note facts for kids
| (Hong Kong) | |
|---|---|
| Value | 0.01 Hong Kong dollar |
| Width | 89 mm |
| Height | 41 mm |
| Security features | none |
| Paper type | Cotton |
| Years of printing | 1941-1995 |
| Obverse | |
The one-cent banknote was once the smallest paper money in Hong Kong. The government first released these notes on May 30, 1941. They were printed by Noronha and Company Limited. These notes were important because there weren't enough coins during World War II. People needed small change for everyday purchases.
Contents
The Hong Kong One-Cent Banknote
The very first one-cent notes were about 42 by 75 millimeters in size. The front of the note was brown. It had a seven-digit serial number, sometimes with an "A" or "B" before it. Most of the writing on the front was in English. However, "Government of Hong Kong" was also written in Chinese. The back of the note was red. It showed the value of the note in both English and Chinese.
Life After World War II
When the Japanese took over Hong Kong, their own money, called Japanese Military Yen, replaced the one-cent notes. After Japan surrendered in 1945, the Hong Kong dollar became the official money again. New one-cent notes were printed. These notes were brown on one side and did not have serial numbers. They featured a picture of the British monarch.
Different Looks Over Time
Over the years, the one-cent note had five different signatures. These signatures belonged to the Government Financial Secretaries. Some of these important people included Sir Henry Butters and Sir John Cowperthwaite. You can often find out the year your note was made by looking online.
The one-cent note went through five main design changes. The first notes from 1941 showed a picture of King George VI. Later notes, from 1961 until 1995, featured Queen Elizabeth II. These notes were issued in different periods. These periods were 1961 to 1971, 1971 to 1981, 1981 to 1986, 1986 to 1992, and finally 1992 until 1995.
The End of the One-Cent Note
The one-cent banknote was officially stopped from being used on September 30, 1995. This means it was no longer considered legal money.