Opinion | Hong Kong mints new batch of HK5ドル coins for first time in 14 years
It was released in August while new HK2ドル coins are to be circulated in December
The Hong Kong government has quietly begun issuing new HK5ドル coins, for the first time in 14 years.
A newly minted HK2ドル coin also will be put into circulation from December, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
After noticing one of the shiny new HK5ドル coins stamped 2012, the inquired if a new issue was being minted. The HKMA, the city's de facto central bank, said the new HK5ドル coin, which has the same design as those already on issue, started circulating in August. The new HK2ドル coin would also look like those already in circulation.
In Hong Kong, banknotes are issued by the three note issuing banks - HSBC, Standard Chartered and Bank of China (Hong Kong) - but the government is responsible for coins. At the end of last year, there was a total of HK6ドル billion worth of coins in circulation in denominations ranging from HK10ドル to 10 cents.
"The HKMA has ordered 40 million HK5ドル coins and 80 million HK2ドル coins to be issued gradually to meet demand," said a HKMA spokeswoman. The mint date would be 2012.
The government stopped issuing new coins in 1998 because there was enough inventory to meet demand.