Hong Kong's new $10 note

Press Releases

28 Jun 2002

Hong Kong's new $10 note

The Financial Secretary today (Friday) announced plans for the issue of a new $10 note. The new $10 note will be issued by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and will be gradually put into circulation in the late summer and early autumn. The new note will circulate in addition to the $10 coin and the existing green $10 notes issued by HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank, all of which remain legal tender.

Speaking today at the launch of the Hong Kong Financial Sector Exhibition 2002, the Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, said that the decision to issue the new $10 note was taken in response to the renewed public demand for a $10 note for day-to-day use and particularly during the Lunar New Year. "The public will now have the choice and convenience of both coins and notes of this denomination for their daily needs," Mr Leung said.

Mr Leung said that the new $10 note would bear the date 1 July 2002, to coincide with the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He added, however, that it would not be released into circulation until later in the summer and early autumn, when supplies became available.

Commenting on the design of the new $10 note, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Joseph Yam, said that the note was abstract in design and mauve, purple, blue and yellow in colour. "The abstract design makes impressionistic references to the spirit of modern architecture in Hong Kong. It also captures elements of festive and cultural activities in Hong Kong and China," Mr Yam said.

In addition to security features of the sort present on the majority of existing Hong Kong notes (and on the enhanced $1,000 notes), the new $10 note incorporates two new visible security features. These are:

  • a shimmering reflective band, visible on the reverse on tilting the note, showing "HK10" and bauhinia flowers
  • a see-through picture, in which patterns on the front and back fit perfectly together to show the complete image of a horse.

The note is currently at the production stage. It is expected to be available for circulation in the late summer and early autumn and will be released, subject to sufficient supplies being available, in response to public demand. "For the moment I must ask people to be patient, but we shall certainly ensure that in due course there are enough notes to satisfy fully the public's requirements," Mr Yam said.

Illustrations and explanations of the security features of the new $10 note are available in a press pack issued by the HKMA. Alternatively, they may be viewed on the HKMA website at www.hkma.gov.hk.

For further enquiries please contact:

Jasmin Fung, Manager (Press), at 2878 8246 or
Thomas Chan, Senior Manager (Press), at 2878 1480

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
28 June 2002

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Last revision date : 28 June 2002