Heritage World Coin Auctions
Hong Kong Signature Currency Sale 3555 21 & 23 Jun 2017
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World Currency
Hong Kong Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation $50 1.10.1930 Pick 175d "Duress Note." Despite some minor problems listed on the back of this note pressed into service after the World War II Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, it still faces up well. As these were actual and ready notes printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and sitting in the vaults, any accountant signature would have made them seem valid. In fact, there are at least three different chief accountants who signed this denomination. The Japanese occupation pressed these "duress notes" into public use and they were also used to buy strategic goods in nearby neutral Macau. As these notes were feared at first to have only a limited exchange period after the war, the majority were quickly redeemed, leaving few larger denominations such as this $50 still in private hands. The serial numbers for $50 denomination "duress notes" are B350,001 through B550,000. This $50 has serial number B367,497. PMG Very Fine 20 Net, edge & internal damage, rust. HID08701242017
Estimate: 1000-1500 USD
Hong Kong Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation $50 1.10.1930 Pick 175d "Duress Note." Despite some minor problems listed on the back of this note pressed into service after the World War II Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, it still faces up well. As these were actual and ready notes printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and sitting in the vaults, any accountant signature would have made them seem valid. In fact, there are at least three different chief accountants who signed this denomination. The Japanese occupation pressed these "duress notes" into public use and they were also used to buy strategic goods in nearby neutral Macau. As these notes were feared at first to have only a limited exchange period after the war, the majority were quickly redeemed, leaving few larger denominations such as this $50 still in private hands. The serial numbers for $50 denomination "duress notes" are B350,001 through B550,000. This $50 has serial number B367,497. PMG Very Fine 20 Net, edge & internal damage, rust. HID08701242017
Estimate: 1000-1500 USD