Commemorative Medals Awarded in Hong Kong (Part 1)

Author: Mr. Anthony Lee Hon Man (Founder of New Century Coins & Notes)

The Plague Medal / Hong Kong Plague Medal

One of the earliest and most historically significant commemorative medals in Hong Kong is the 1894 Hong Kong Plague Medal.

Between February and May 1894, Hong Kong was struck by a devastating plague outbreak, part of what became known as the Third Plague Pandemic. In recognition of those who contributed during this crisis, the Hong Kong government requested Britain to mint a special medal.

Design Highlights:

• The Obverse showing two personnel—one tending to a patient, the other warding off the Angel of Death.
• Symbolic tools: An axe and broom, representing the effort of "cleaning the ground."
• Unique inscription: The year 1894 alongside the rare inclusion of Chinese characters for "Hong Kong."

Rarity:

Archival records indicate that only 219 silver medals and 20 gold medals were ever minted marling their scarcity as one the highly prized among collectors and historians alike.

Exhibition Note

When viewing of the Plague Medal, the resilience of Hong Kong's populace during one of its darkest public health crise prevails and is remembered. The medal is not only a token of recognition but also a symbol of collective endurance and the city's early encounters with global pandemics.

Hong Kong City Hall Foundation Stone Laying Commemorative Silver Medal

("City Hall Dollar")

Historical Background

On February 23, 1867, the foundation stone was laid for Hong Kong's first public cultural centre—the original Hong Kong City Hall. The ceremony was inaugurated by the then Governor Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, and each guest was presented with a commemorative silver medal to mark that occasion.

Design Features

• Obverse: The medal bears the same effigy of Queen Victoria as seen on the contemporary Victoria Dollar.
• Reverse: A nine-line inscription records the event:
• "HONG KONG CITY HALL – FOUNDATION STONE – LAID BY – H.E – SIR RG MACDONNELL – C.B – 23rd FEBRUARY – 1867. – A HERRMITTE ARCHT"
• The final line acknowledges Achille-Antoine Hermitte, the French architect who designed the City Hall.

Of its weight and obverse design closely resembling the Victorian Dollar, this commemorative piece became widely known as the "City Hall Dollar."

Mintage and Legacy

The medal was minted by the Hong Kong Mint, a short-lived institution that operated only briefly in the 1860s. Its antiquity, unique historical context, and the absence of detailed records about the ceremony guests render the number of surviving specimens unknown. This uncertainty, combined with its rarity, has elevated the "City Hall Dollar" into one of the most coveted treasures among collectors.

Exhibition Note

As here shown, the City Hall Commemorative Medal reflects on Hong Kong's aspirations in the mid-19th century—building not only a civic establishment but also a cultural identity. The medal stands as a symbol of the city's early efforts to establish facility for the public and its connection to both colonial governance and architectural aesthetics.

Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal – Hong Kong

(維多利亞女皇鑽禧紀念勳章)

Historical Background

In 1897, the British Empire celebrated the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's ascension with grand Diamond Jubilee ceremonies. To mark the occasion, commemorative medals were issued in gold, silver, and bronze for members of the royal family, government officials, foreign envoys, military personnel, and citizens. Special diamond-shaped medals were reserved for mayors and senior officials, while different branches of disciplined forces, like police, fire, and ambulance personnel received their own Jubilee medals.

As a crown colony, Hong Kong produced its own version of the medal with the obverse adopting the same effigy of the Queen as of Great Britain designed and engraved by Boehm but incorporating local elements on the Reverse.

Design Features

• Obverse: A portrait of Queen Victoria, designed and engraved by Joseph Edgar Boehm, identical to the Great Britain issue. The Queen bears a diamond crown with a widow's veil descending from the crown as well as a pearl necklace and an earring in her visible ear. The Queen wears the ribbon and star of the Order of Garter and the badge of the Order of the Crown of India.

• Reverse:
• Central motif: A depiction of Victoria Harbour, symbolizing Hong Kong's role as a thriving port city.
• Outer inscription: "TO COMMEMORATE SIXTY YEARS OF HER MAJESTY'S REIGN1837–1897"
• Additional detail: The name of the then-Governor, Sir William Robinson G.C.M.G., prominently inscribed.
• Surrounding text: The word "HONG KONG", emphasizing the colony's distinct identity within the Empire.

Legacy and Rarity

The Hong Kong Diamond Jubilee Medal stands out for blending imperial symbolism with local imagery. It not only commemorated Queen Victoria's reign but also highlighted Hong Kong's place in the global empire at the close of the 19th century. Today, surviving specimens are prized by collectors for their craftsmanship and historical resonance.

Exhibition Note

This medal draws attention to reflect on Hong Kong's colonial past and its participation in Imperial celebrations. The juxtaposition of Queen Victoria's portrait with view from Victoria Harbour illustrates how Hong Kong was both a crown colony and a city forging its own identity within the empire.

Historical Background

In 1902, Prince Albert Edward of Wales and Princess Alexandra were crowned King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The coronation, originally scheduled for June, was postponed to August due to the King's emergency surgery for appendicitis—a condition often fatal at the time.

To commemorate the event, coronation medals were issued in various forms:

• Oval silver and bronze medals for royal family members, dignitaries, senior officials, and armed forces personnel.
• Round silver medals for mayors and provosts.
• Special medals for police, firefighters, and paramedics.

As in the case of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, Hong Kong produced its own version of the coronation medal, distinct from those awarded in Great Britain.

Design Features

• Obverse: Profile portraits of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, identical to the British issue.
• Reverse:
• Central motif: A depiction of Victoria Harbour, symbolizing Hong Kong's identity as a vital port city.
• Surrounding text: The word "HONG KONG" cast around the perimeter.
• Inscription: "TO COMMEMORATE THE CORONATION OF THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING & QUEEN"
• Governor's name: Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G., Governor of Hong Kong, prominently included.

Legacy and Significance

The Hong Kong Coronation Medal reflects both imperial tradition and local pride. By incorporating Victoria Harbour into its design, the medal emphasized Hong Kong's role within the empire while celebrating a global royal event. Today, surviving specimens are valued for their artistry and as tangible links to Hong Kong's colonial past.

Exhibition Note

This medal attracts attention of how Hong Kong participated in imperial ceremonies while asserting its own identity through localized designs. The blending of British Monarch with view from Victoria Harbour accentuates the colony's dual role: connection with the British Crown, yet distinct in its cultural and geographic significance.

Commemorative Medallions for the Opening of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel (金、銀、銅紀念章)

Historical Background

The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, Hong Kong's first underwater vehicular tunnel, began construction on September 1, 1969, under the direction of Governor Sir David Trench. With a length of 1.86 kilometers, the tunnel was completed in 1972.

Celebrations included:

• June 16, 1972: A cocktail party held inside the tunnel just completed, attended by officials, businessmen, and celebrities in the City such as Sir John Douglas Claque and Sir Quo-wei Lee.
• August 2, 1972: The official ribbon-cutting ceremony presided over by Governor Sir Murray Maclehose. Film star Lydia Shum, riding in a vintage car, led the ceremonial convoy through the tunnel, symbolically becoming the first citizen to "cross the harbor" on television.

Design Features

To commemorate this milestone, the Hong Kong Cross-Harbour Tunnel Corporation commissioned the Royal Mint of Great Britain to produce limited-edition medallions in gold, silver, and bronze.

• Unified design:
• Obverse: A Junk motif, with the words "CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL HONG KONG – KOWLOON" around the edge.
• Reverse: The Hong Kong coat of arms, with the inscription "Hong Kong to Kowloon Tunnel" and the year 1972 engraved along the perimeter.

Legacy and Significance

These commemorative medallions symbolize Hong Kong's rapid modernization in the 1970s. The Cross-Harbour Tunnel not only transformed transportation but also became a landmark of engineering achievement. The medallions, minted in precious metals, remain highly collectible artifacts of this transformative era.

Exhibition Note

As displayed, the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Medallions shows a recollection on Hong Kong's journey into modern infrastructure. They embody both the pride of technological progress and the celebratory spirit of a city stepping into a new chapter of communications.

Urban Council Centenary Silver Medallion (市政局百週年銀質紀念章)

Historical Background

The Hong Kong Urban Council traces its origins to the Sanitary Board, established on April 18, 1883. Renamed the Municipal Health Bureau in 1936, it expanded its jurisdiction and became the Urban Council in 1953. Over the course of a century, its responsibilities grew from basic street cleaning to encompass food hygiene, cultural development, and recreational services.

In 1983, to commemorate its centenary, the Urban Council commissioned the Royal Mint of Great Britain to produce a limited-edition .925 sterling silver medallion. Some were presented to guests at the celebrations, while others were made available to the public through a lottery system at designated institutions.

Design Features

• Obverse:
  • Inscription: "100th Anniversary 18th April 1883–1983" in stylized lettering.
  • Rim detail: Chinese inscriptions reading "One Hundredth Anniversary" and "1883 to 1983 April 18th."
• Reverse:
• Central motif: The coat of arms of the Urban Council.
• Surrounding text: Bilingual inscriptions in both Chinese and English—"Hong Kong Urban Council" and "URBAN COUNCIL HONG KONG."

Legacy and Significance

The medallion symbolizes the evolution of Hong Kong's civic governance and the expanding role of the Urban Council in shaping public life. It stands as a tangible reminder of the city's progress in sanitation, culture, and community services across a century.

Exhibition Note

Displayed here, the Urban Council Centenary Medallion invites visitors to reflect on how Hong Kong's civic institutions matured over time. More than a commemorative object, it represents the city's journey from colonial administration to a more complex urban society, balancing public health, culture, and recreation.

Do these six commemorative medals call up recollection and memories of Hong Kong or spark interest in its history?

Next time, we put focuses on disciplined services medals and continue to revisit Hong Kong's past.

參考資料來源:- (排名不分先後)

Reference sources: - (in no particular order)

• Wiki.org (Wikipedia)
• Stacksbowers.com (SBP)
• Spink.com (Spink)
• Youtube.com, TVB news (TVB news)