5 dollars 1957

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales activity across multiple condition grades dating back to 2011, with UNC examples selling between $197-406 USD in recent years (2014-2015 range). The 2016 catalogue value for UNC is listed at $300, and the note appears regularly in the secondary market with multiple sales per year, indicating a substantial print run and active collector circulation. This is a standard issue within the 1954-1959 series and not a short-lived or recalled variety.

Issued during the post-war reconstruction period of Hong Kong (1954-1959 series), this note represents the HSBC's continued role as a primary currency issuer for the colony. The allegorical female figure on the obverse symbolizes commerce and prosperity, while the reverse depicts the HSBC's own headquarters building—a neoclassical structure that represented the bank's central importance to Hong Kong's financial stability and colonial economic identity during this era of resumed commercial normalcy after World War II.

The obverse features a prominent oval vignette space (left side) surrounded by ornate scrollwork and a heraldic emblem at the top center. An allegorical female figure in classical Greco-Roman dress appears on the right side, personifying commerce or prosperity. Chinese characters and numerals appear in corners and throughout. The reverse showcases an elaborate engraved architectural vignette of the HSBC's headquarters—a grand neoclassical building with a prominent dome, fluted columns, classical proportions, and surrounding landscape with vegetation, all framed within an ornate cartouche. A winged cherub or putto hovers above the bank name, further emphasizing themes of commerce and finance. Both sides employ extensive decorative border patterns featuring stars, floral motifs, and intricate scrollwork in a warm color palette of brown, beige, tan, orange, and gold accents.

FRONT: 'THE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION' (English); '香港上海豐銀行' (Chinese: Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation); 'Promises to pay to the Bearer on demand'; 'FIVE DOLLARS'; 'or the equivalent in the Currency of the Colony, Value received'; 'at its Office here'; 'HONG KONG 14TH DECEMBER 1957'; 'BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS'; 'CHIEF ACCOUNTANT'; 'CHIEF MANAGER'; '伍圓' (Chinese: Five Dollars); Serial number 'H 089.758'. BACK: 'THE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION' (English); '5 DOLLARS' in decorative cartouches; '伍圓' (Chinese: Five Dollars).

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) executed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., New Malden, a renowned British security printer. The fine, crisp line work visible throughout the design—particularly in the architectural details of the HSBC building, the allegorical female figure, the winged cherub, and the elaborate scrollwork borders—is characteristic of high-quality banknote intaglio production. The note demonstrates the sophisticated security printing standards of the mid-20th century, with complex engraved patterns serving both aesthetic and anti-counterfeiting functions.

This specific example bears the date '14th December 1957' and serial number prefix 'H' with number '089.758'. The Pick 180a designation indicates this is a standard variety of the first series. Within the 1954-1959 issue range, notes may show variations in serial number prefixes (typically A-Z range), signature combinations of Chief Manager and Chief Accountant officials, and minor printing variations. No overprints or special markings are visible on this example. The 'H' prefix places it within the mid-range serial production of this issue.