Hong Kong 5 Dollars (Bauhinia Flower)
Country of Origin: Hong Kong (issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority)
Year of Issue: 1993
Denomination: 5 Dollars (HKD)
Composition: Cupro-Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel)
Brief Description
A thick, round cupro-nickel coin featuring a large numeral 5 on the reverse and a Bauhinia flower on the obverse.
Historical Significance
Introduced in 1993, this series replaced the previous portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the Bauhinia flower, reflecting the transition towards the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China.
Estimated Value
$0.65 - $1.00 (circulated), $3.00 - $8.00 (Uncirculated/MS)
Care Instructions
Store in a PVC-free holder to prevent 'green slime' corrosion. Avoid cleaning or rubbing the coin, as it removes the original surface luster and reduces collector value.
Mint Mark
None (Produced by the Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Wales)
Mintage & Rarity
Common; 1993 was a high-mintage year for the new design introduction.
Weight & Diameter
13.50g, 27.0mm
Edge
Lettered (Commonly reads 'HONG KONG FIVE DOLLARS' or plain with a central groove/incuse lettering)
Apparent Grade
Fine to Very Fine; shows significant surface darkening, dirt, and minor wear on the high points of the flower and numeral.
Obverse (Front)
Features the Bauhinia flower (Bauhinia blakeana) in the center, with 'HONG KONG' in English and Chinese characters (香戣) around the rim.
Reverse (Back)
Large numeral '5' in the center with the year '1993' below it. The Chinese characters for 'Five Dollars' (䊔圓) are at the top, and 'FIVE DOLLARS' in English at the bottom.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Condition/grade and eye appeal are the primary factors. Circulated examples are generally worth face value (~$0.64 USD) plus a small premium.
Similar Coins
1980s Hong Kong 5 Dollars featuring Queen Elizabeth II; easily distinguished by the central portrait instead of the flower.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Check for correct weight (13.5g) and the specific lettering on the thick edge. Counterfeits for this low-denomination modern coin are rare but usually lack crisp detail in the flower petals.
Notable Varieties & Errors
No major 1993 varieties are widely recognized for this standard circulation issue.
Created At: 2026-05-30T03:44:14.930807