New notes and good-as-new notes in various denominations will be available for exchange at branches of the three note-issuing banks starting from January 14 to meet the demand for notes as laisee, says the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
The 2018 Series HK$20 and HK$50 banknotes will be put into circulation and be available for exchange at branches of the note-issuing banks.
The HKMA encourages the public to continue supporting the use of good-as-new notes. They are perfectly suitable for use as lai-see, given that Hong Kong's currency notes are maintained at a high standard of cleanliness, the body said, adding that there will be an abundant supply of good-as-new notes.
The notes have six major security features: a dynamic shimmering pattern, windowed metallic thread, enhanced watermark, fluorescent see-through denomination, concealed denomination and an embossed feel.
The HK$50 notes feature butterflies while the popular dim sum and tea culture are portrayed in the HK$20. All illustrations are vertical.
With the issuance of these new HK$20 and HK$50 banknotes, all the five denominations of the 2018 Series will be in circulation.
The HK$1,000 came out in the last quarter of 2018 featuring Hong Kong as an international financial center, while the HK$500 has been in circulation since early 2019 depicting the UNESCO Global Geopark.
Cantonese Opera is featured in the new HK$100 note.
The three note-issuing banks are The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Bank of China (Hong Kong) (2388) and Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong). Each of the three banks has its own design based on the five themes. The banks issue a new series of banknotes every seven to eight years.
Last year, there were long queues waiting for the new notes in branches on the first day, and some banks opened doors earlier to meet demand.
With the issuance of the new HK$20 and HK$50 notes, all the five denominations of the 2018 seies will be in circulation. SING TAO
