Guide to Detecting Counterfeit Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) Bills
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How to Identify Counterfeit HKD (HK$) Currency Notes
Hong Kong is a shopaholic’s paradise, but it’s also home to a highly cash-driven culture. While credit cards are accepted in many places, street markets, taxis, and local eateries often prefer cash. That makes it even more important to know whether that HK$100 note in your pocket is the real deal. Counterfeit Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) notes do circulate, especially in tourist-heavy zones. But the good news? Hong Kong’s banknotes come with multiple security features. You just need to know what to look for.
Current Hong Kong Dollar Banknote in Circulation
Hong Kong doesn’t have just one issuer of banknotes. It has three authorized banks:
- HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation)
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Each bank issues its own version of the HK$20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000 notes. The design differs slightly across banks, but the security features are largely the same, as regulated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. The HKSAR also issues the $10 note. Current HKD banknotes are printed on paper, not polymer (except the $10 note, which is printed on both polymer and paper).
A critical point to note about HKD is that while new banknote series are introduced, older series remain legal tender and co-circulating as well. For instance, the 2018 series is the latest series, rolled out from late 2018 through 2020, however, banknotes from series such as the 2010 series and the 2003 series still remain legal tender. While designs vary between banks and series, a general colour scheme helps in the quick identification of denominations:
- HK$10: Purple (paper and polymer), older versions green
- HK$20: Blue (newer 2018 series are light blue, older 2010 series can be darker blue)
- HK$50: Green
- HK$100: Red
- HK$500: Brown
- HK$1000: Gold/Yellow
General Security Features of Hong Kong Dollar Bank Notes
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority promotes a simple yet effective three-step method for checking banknotes: "Feel-Look-Tilt".
Paper Quality: HKD notes (except the polymer HK$10) are printed on high-quality paper made of cotton. This gives them a unique feel that is different from ordinary commercial paper.
Embossed Printing (Intaglio): Genuine banknotes feature intaglio printing, a process where ink is applied thickly, creating a raised texture on the surface of the note.
Watermark: When a genuine banknote is held up to the light, a multi-tonal watermark should be clearly visible. This typically includes a Bauhinia flower and the denomination numeral.
See-Through Features (Registration Devices): Genuine notes often have elements printed on the front and back that align perfectly to form a complete image or numeral when the note is held up to the light.
Security Thread: Most HKD banknotes incorporate a security thread. In genuine notes, this thread appears to be woven into the paper (windowed thread) or is fully embedded.
Dynamic Shimmering Pattern: The 2018 series features a prominent dynamic shimmering pattern. When the note is tilted, a shimmering ring within this pattern moves correspondingly.
Windowed Metallic Thread with Moving Elements: The thread on the notes contains elements, such as large and small rings, that appear to move or rotate when the note is tilted.
Concealed Denomination: The denomination numeral (e.g., "1000") is hidden in the design and becomes visible when the note is tilted at a certain angle to the light.
A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit HKD Currency by Series & Denomination
1. The HK$10 Note (HKSAR Government Issue)
a. For Polymer Note:
- Clear Window: It is basically a transparent area on the note, and the numeral "10" is printed within this window.
- Shadow Image of Bauhinia Flower in Clear Window: A watermark-like image of the Bauhinia flower is incorporated into the clear window.
- Numeral "10" Shadow Image: A watermark-like image of the numeral "10" is visible when the note is viewed against a light source.
- Colour Shift: A ribbon or area within the clear window changes colour (e.g., between pink and purple) when the note is tilted or viewed against alternating light and dark backgrounds.
- See-through Picture: Patterns on the front and back of the note align perfectly when held to the light to form a complete image of a horse.
- Concealed Denomination: The numeral "10" becomes visible when the note is tilted.
- Reflective Band: A shimmering band displays images of the Bauhinia flower and "HK10" when the note is tilted.
- Enlarged Numeral: The numeral "10" is enlarged and has a tactile feel.
b. For Paper Note:
- Intaglio Printing: The numeral "10" and other design elements have a raised, embossed effect.
- See-through Picture: Front and back patterns align to form a complete image of a horse when held to light.
- Watermark: Features the numeral "10" and an image of a Bauhinia flower.
- Concealed Denomination: The numeral "10" appears when the note is tilted.
- See-through Picture: Patterns on the front and back of the note align perfectly when held to the light to form a complete image of a horse.
- Concealed Denomination: The numeral "10" becomes visible when the note is tilted.
- Windowed Thread: A 2mm-wide metallic thread is embedded in the paper.
- Fluorescent Fibres: Red, blue, and green fibres are randomly embedded in the paper and are visible under UV light.
- Reflective Band: A shimmering band showing Bauhinia flowers and "HK10" is visible when the note is tilted under a bright light.
- Fluorescent Denomination: The numeral "10" is visible under UV light.
2. The 2018 Series (HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, HK$1000) – The Current Standard
- Dynamic Shimmering Pattern: This is located on the front, typically top-right. When the banknote is tilted, a shimmering ring within the pattern moves correspondingly.
- Windowed Metallic Thread: A vertical metallic thread is incorporated into the banknote. When the note is tilted, large and small rings on this thread appear to move or rotate. HSBC specifically describes these as "rotating circles".
- Enhanced Watermark: Situated on the right side of the front of the note, it features a standardized Bauhinia flower theme. A multi-tonal image of the flower, its leaves, a bud, and the denomination numeral become visible when the note is held up to the light.
- Fluorescent See-through Denomination: This feature involves patterns printed on the front and back of the note. When the note is held up to the light, these patterns align perfectly to form the denomination numeral. Under ultraviolet (UV) light, these patterns, which appear as a single colour in normal light, fluoresce in two distinct colours.
- Concealed Denomination: It is located on the bottom-left or centre-left of the front. The denomination numeral is hidden within the design and becomes visible when the note is tilted under a light source.
- Embossed Feel: As a result of intaglio printing, various parts of the banknote have a raised texture. This includes the bank's name, denomination numerals, and other design elements.
- Microtext: Fine lines of text, often forming parts of the design or numerals, are visible under magnification. For example, HSBC notes include a microtext hexagon and the letters "HSBC" within the large numerals. Other issuing banks incorporate similar microprinting features.
To assist the visually impaired, the 2018 series also includes:
- Braille: Dots indicating the denomination.
- Tactile Lines: Raised lines on the left and right edges; the number and arrangement of lines vary by denomination.
- High-tactility Numeral: A large, raised denomination numeral.
3. The 2010 Series (HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, HK$1000)
- Dynamic Shimmering Pattern: This is located on the front, typically top-right. When the banknote is tilted, a shimmering ring within the pattern moves correspondingly.
- Colour-changing Windowed Metallic Thread: This thread changes colour between magenta & green when the note is tilted. Close examination reveals microtext forming the letters "H" & "K".
- Concealed Denomination: The denomination numeral becomes visible when the note is tilted.
- Enhanced Watermark: Standardised across the three issuing banks for this series, the watermark includes a multi-tonal Bauhinia flower, a highlight watermark of the denomination numeral, and a dot pattern, all visible when held up to the light.
- Fluorescent See-through Pattern: Patterns on the front and back align perfectly when the note is held up to the light. When placed under ultraviolet light, two fluorescent colours appear.
- Serial Numbers: Two sets of serial numbers are printed on each note. The digits in these numbers progressively increase in size in adjacent positions. One set is printed horizontally (bottom-left), and the other vertically (right side).
4. Older Series (e.g., 2003 Series HK$1000)
- Holographic Windowed Thread: This was a new feature for its time. A 3mm wide metallic thread woven into the paper, displaying holographic images of the Bauhinia flower and the numeral '1000'. When held against the light, 'HK1000' and the Bauhinia flower appeared in cleartext.
- Embedded Fluorescent Fibres (HSBC specific): Red, blue, and green fibres randomly embedded in the paper, visible under UV light.
- Highlight Watermark (HSBC specific): A very bright watermark showing the number 1000 when the note is held against the light.
- Optical Variable Ink (OVI): The denomination numeral printed with OVI changes colour when tilted (e.g., from gold to green on genuine notes).
- Other features of this series: Includes intaglio printing for an embossed feel, serial numbers, fluorescent denomination blocks (visible under UV light), a basic security thread (visible from both sides), a general watermark, a concealed denomination, and see-through patterns.
Bank-Specific Design Elements and Thematic Features (2018 Series Reverse Designs)
While the core security features and their placement are standardized for the 2018 series, the artistic execution of the front of the notes and the detailed imagery of the reverse themes remain unique to each issuing bank, reflecting their individual branding and roles.
1. HSBC
a. Front: Features the iconic HSBC lion "Stitt" (depicted from a different angle on each denomination, creating a sense of movement across the series) and the HSBC Main Building. An iridescent pattern shimmers on Stitt's mane when tilted.
b. Reverse Themes:
- HK$1000: Financial Metropolis (panoramic view of Central, harbour, Lion Rock).
- HK$500: Hexagonal Rock Columns (Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, hikers, White-bellied Sea Eagles).
- HK$100: Cantonese Opera (a loving couple in a traditional Chinese garden, Yue Qin musical instrument).
- HK$50: Butterfly and Flowers (Swallowtail butterfly on a China Rose Hibiscus).
- HK$20: Tea Gathering (Yum Cha scene, illustrating filial piety).
2. Standard Chartered Bank (SCB)
a. Front: Features the Standard Chartered Bank Building and The Forum in Central. The SCB logo at the centre incorporates motifs related to each denomination's theme. The backgrounds of the five notes, when placed together, form a silhouette of Lion Rock.
b. Reverse Themes:
- HK$1000: Wit and Wisdom (Central skyline, symbols of technology and the stock market).
- HK$500: Resilience and Perseverance (Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark's hexagonal rock columns).
- HK$100: Inheritance and Innovation (Cantonese opera artists with the Xiqu Centre in the background).
- HK$50: Better Together (Blue-spotted Crow butterfly pollinating a Lantana, symbolizing unity).
- HK$20: Sharing and Caring (a family enjoying dim sum, symbolizing connection).
3. Bank of China (BOCHK)
a. Front: Features the Bauhinia flower (Hong Kong's floral emblem) and the Bank of China Tower. Background patterns and silhouettes on the front echo the themes on the reverse.
b. Reverse Themes:
- HK$1000: A Smart Metropolis (stylized human head with binary code, a globe, diamond patterns).
- HK$500: Natural Scenery (hexagonal rock formations of Sai Kung, bird silhouette, hexagonal patterns).
- HK$100: Cultural Heritage (Cantonese opera fadan (young actress), window frame and cloud patterns, hand fan patterns).
- HK$50: Ecological Conservation (Glassy Bluebottle butterfly, Lantana flower, butterfly wing patterns).
- HK$20: Tea Culture (teapot, teacups, dim sum arranged within an artistic tea leaf shape, tea leaf patterns).
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