1 dollar 1923

Common. This is a regular issue note from 1923-1925 produced by HSBC with substantial circulation throughout Hong Kong's colonial period. eBay market data confirms affordability: VF specimens trade in the $300-$325 range (2016 catalogue value), with lower grades (F condition) historically selling for approximately $125. The large print run and decades of circulation indicate this is not a scarce issue. The VF condition grade places this note in a middle range—desirable to collectors but not exceptionally rare.

Issued on 1st January 1923, this note represents the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation's regular currency issue during the post-WWI period, when British imperial symbolism remained central to colonial financial instruments. The imagery—Britannia with laurel wreath and the seated allegorical woman with lyre—reflects the classical iconography favored by British security printers of the era and reinforced the authority and prestige of HSBC as a major Eastern trading bank. This series continued with minor variations through 1925 before being superseded by later designs.

The obverse features Britannia—depicted as a classical female figure in profile facing left, wearing a laurel wreath headdress—positioned on the left side of the note, symbolizing British imperial authority and protection. The center showcases the bank name in an elaborate bank of ornamental scrollwork and floral patterns rendered in gold/yellow and blue. A heraldic coat of arms with shield design and decorative supporters appears on the lower right, reinforcing the corporation's official status. The reverse displays an allegorical winged cherub or putto in the upper center, associated with classical prosperity symbolism, surrounded by ornate floral borders and decorative cartouches containing large numeral 1s in each corner. The color scheme—blue and yellow on the obverse, rose/mauve and pink on the reverse—was typical of HSBC's early currency designs and enhanced the note's visual security through complex color separation.

Front side: THE HONG KONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION / 香港上海匯豐銀行 (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) / 1ST JANUARY 1923 (issue date) / PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND / ONE DOLLAR LOCAL CURRENCY / AT ITS OFFICE HERE, VALUE RECEIVED / BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS / CHIEF MANAGER / CHIEF ACCT (Chief Accountant) / Serial number: No A538760 (repeated in top corners) / HONG KONG. Back side: ONE DOLLAR / 壹圓 (One Dollar in Chinese) / HONG KONG.

Steel engraving by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., New Malden (BWC), utilizing the intaglio/recess printing method characteristic of high-security banknote production in the early 20th century. The fine line-work, intricate cross-hatching, and detailed portraiture visible in the images confirm the precision of engraved plate printing. The multi-color design required separate color passes—blue and yellow for the obverse, rose/mauve and pink for the reverse—indicating sophisticated lithographic or chromatic intaglio techniques applied after the primary engraved impression.

This example bears serial number A538760, indicating the A-series prefix typical of early HSBC 1923 issues. The note is dated 1ST JANUARY 1923 on the obverse, consistent with the primary 1923 issue date (variant printings continued through January 1, 1925). Known varieties for Pick 171 include different serial number prefixes (A, B, and possibly higher) and the 1925 variant date overprint. This particular note's A-series number and 1923 date represent the original issue variety. Signatures are handwritten and faded, typical of the period but not catalogued as a significant variety marker.