1 dollar 1935

Common. While this is a pre-war Hong Kong note from 1935, eBay market data shows consistent circulation of this Pick number with examples regularly selling between $30-$500 depending on condition grade. UNC examples have sold in the $400-$900 range historically, indicating steady collector demand but no extreme scarcity. The note was produced by HSBC with sufficient print runs to ensure availability in the numismatic market today. The 1926-1935 issue period encompassed multiple printings, further supporting a common classification despite age and historical interest.

This note was issued during the final years of the pre-war period by the HSBC, which held significant authority to issue currency in Hong Kong. The classical allegorical imagery of Britannia and Ceres reflects the British Imperial aesthetic dominant in colonial Hong Kong during the 1930s. The note's date of 1st June 1935 places it at the tail end of this design series, which would soon be superseded by post-war issues following Japan's occupation of Hong Kong (1941-1945).

The obverse (front) displays a formal blue-toned design centered on a left-facing portrait of Britannia wearing a military helmet with ornate headdress, rendered in fine detail within a circular medallion on the left side. The composition is symmetrical with a blank circular space on the right balancing the portrait medallion. The center contains the bank's promise-to-pay text and denomination. Ornamental corner elements, decorative scrollwork, and a Greek key pattern border frame the design. Chinese characters in an oval banner at the top establish the note's bilingual nature. The reverse features a standing classical female figure (Britannia/Ceres) in draped garments holding a trident or staff, centered within an elaborate oval border with geometric Greek key patterning. Floral vine work and ornamental panels occupy the left and right sides. Chinese characters (香圓) in vertical orientation appear on both sides of the central figure. A coat of arms or shield emblem is positioned in the upper right. Both sides employ fine-line engraving with multiple layers creating significant depth and anti-counterfeiting complexity.

FRONT: Chinese: '香港上海豐行銀行' translates to 'Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation.' English text reads: 'THE HONG KONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION,' 'HONG KONG, 1st June, 1935,' 'PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND,' 'ONE DOLLAR,' 'LOCAL CURRENCY AT ITS OFFICE HERE VALUE RECEIVED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,' with signature lines for 'CHIEF MANAGER' and 'CHIEF ACCT' (Chief Accountant). Serial number: 'NO H293.459.' Printer credit: 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & CO LTD ENGRAVERS, NEW MALDEN, SURREY, ENGLAND.' BACK: 'ONE DOLLAR,' 'HONG KONG,' Chinese currency notation '香圓' (Hong Kong Dollar), and identical printer attribution 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & CO LTD ENGRAVERS, NEW MALDEN, SURREY, ENGLAND.'

Intaglio (engraved) printing by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, a leading British security printer headquartered in New Malden, Surrey, England. This method involved steel die engraving with fine parallel lines and complex geometric patterns to create security features through intricate detail reproduction. The characteristic crisp line work, exceptional detail in portrait rendering, and precise registration visible in both the obverse and reverse indicate classical security intaglio production typical of premium banknote printing of the 1930s.

This specific example bears serial number H293.459 with the 'H' prefix. The visual analysis shows signatures corresponding to Chief Manager and Chief Accountant positions; signature varieties exist for this issue based on different officials' tenures. The date '1st June 1935' is fixed for this Pick number. No overprints or unusual markings are visible. Variety distinctions for Pick 172c primarily relate to signature combinations and serial number prefixes, which typically denote different printing batches rather than major design variations.