In early colonial Hong Kong, mixed currencies of various kinds were used. Although British pound was official currency, it was not well accepted by the merchants and residents, especially Chinese, in Hong Kong. Various silver currencies remained medium of trade in the city.
In order to provide a steady supply of silver dollar in Hong Kong. Hercules Robinson, the then-Hong Kong Governor, decided to found Hong Kong Mint in 1864. The mint opened on 1866-05-07 under the rule of William Thomas Mercer but soon closed in 1868 during Richard MacDonnell's governorship. That the coins were not well-received and the devaluation of silver are culprits causing hugh loss. The mint machineries were sold to Osaka in Japan.
See also
External links
- The Hong Kong Early Currency and The Unsuccessful Hong Kong Mint (in Chinese)
- Hong Kong Coinage
- Hong Kong Currency
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Last updated on Saturday March 31, 2007 at 22:09:20 PDT (GMT -0700)
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