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First Day Cover Text - "Hong Kong Currency"

For the collector, the value of every coin and note goes beyond its monetary value, as behind each is the fascinating story of its origins. The size and shape of each coin and note, the material used, the distinctive words and images, all are reminiscent of the evolution of history and conjure up mental pictures of the past.

This set of special stamps and stamp sheetlet showcases selected currency circulated in Hong Kong during the past 140 years. The set offers four stamps of:

$1.40 - the First Hong Kong coin (one mil, one thousandth of a dollar) cast in bronze in 1863.
$2.40 - the first coin (20 cents) cast in silver at the Hong Kong Mint in 1866.
3 - the first note (one dollar) issued by the Hong Kong Government in 1935.
5 - the gold coin issued to commemorate the establishment of the HKSAR in 1997.

The attractive stamp sheetlet depicts the seven coins in circulation since 1993 and 1994 - 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, one dollar, two dollars, five dollars and ten dollars - all of which feature Hong Kong's emblem, the Bauhinia. The coins are set against a spectacular backdrop of the Tsing Ma Bridge, which is also featured on the reverse side of the commemorative ten-dollar coin issued in 1997.

This unique stamp issue will surely appeal to discerning collectors with both philatelic and numismatic interests.

The wavy lines shown on the First Day Cover simulate the classic pattern on banknotes.