Hong Kong 50 Cents (Bauhinia Flower series)
Country of Origin: Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)
Year of Issue: 1997
Denomination: 50 Cents
Composition: Nickel-brass
Brief Description
A round, gold-colored coin featuring a Bauhinia flower on one side and a large '50' on the other. This specific specimen shows significant surface wear, oxidation, and dark staining.
Historical Significance
1997 was the year of the Hong Kong handover from British to Chinese sovereignty. This series replaced the Queen Elizabeth II effigy with the Bauhinia flower, the floral emblem of Hong Kong.
Estimated Value
$0.20 - $1.00 USD in circulated condition; up to $5.00 in high Mint State.
Care Instructions
Do not attempt to scrub or chemically clean the oxidation, as this will damage the numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free coin flip or holder in a dry environment.
Mint Mark
None (struck by the British Royal Mint)
Mintage & Rarity
Common; mintage for 1997 was approximately 139,000,000.
Weight & Diameter
4.92g, 22.5mm
Edge
Reeded (milled)
Apparent Grade
Good/Very Good (Heavily circulated with significant surface tarnish, oxidation, and loss of detail).
Obverse (Front)
Features the Bauhinia flower (Bauhinia blakeana) in the center, with 'HONG KONG' in English and Chinese characters around the rim.
Reverse (Back)
Features a large numeral '50' representing the value, with the word 'FIFTY' and the year '1997' in both English and Chinese characters.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Condition/grade and the presence of any unique minting errors. Circulated 1997 examples are very common.
Similar Coins
Often confused with the older British Colony 50 cent coins which featured Queen Elizabeth II, or the 20 cent coin which has a scalloped edge.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Check for distinct reeding on the edge and ensure the weight is close to 4.9g. Counterfeits of this specific denomination and year are rare due to low face value.
Notable Varieties & Errors
None widely recognized for this year, though collectors look for doubling (doubled die) errors.
Created At: 2026-06-13T19:33:33.770764