4.
13.
Careful
Sandwiches mɛde entirely of non-ferrous metāls, e.ç. cupro-nickel un nickel or
copper, cre also sometines used. They are expensive however and can be
recommended only when especially severe vending machine problems exist.
selection and control of the thickness of the layers can be used to give these
materials unique magnetic or electro-magnetic properties to which specially designed
detector mechanisms can be tuned.
14. With the probable exception of zinc, all the metals mentioned have nore than
adequate wearing qualities. They can be expected to last upwards of 20 years and
therefore generally much longer then modern coinages tend to survive without having
to be replaced for economic or other reasons. Because of this tendency the superior
werring qualities of pure nickel cre really of no more than academic interest.
Costs
15. A schedule of prices covering the range of sizes and noteri:ls discussed in
this paper is attached as Appendix I. The prices are indicative end are intended
only as a rough guide for comparison purposes. The actual prices to be charged for
rinting of an order would vary according to the quantity to be produced. The metal
values have been calculated on the present merket prices. In the case of copper and zinc particularly these are somewhat higher than might have been forecast from long
term trends, but it is unfortunately impossible to obtain authoritative advice on
likely future movements.
PART II CHANGING THE HONG KONG COIN AGE
16. The range of choice described in Part I above may naturally be much limited by local considerations whose importance cannot perhaps be properly assessed outside Hong Kong. The suggestions which follow therefore are necessarily tentative and somewhat general in character.
17.
It might be said that the existing coinage is open to three main criticisms:-
(i) With the disappearance of the 1 cent there is now no coin
representing the minor unit of the currency, and indeed before
long the lowest denomination in active use may be 10 cents.
(ii) Some of the coins are heavier and larger than is necessary,
and they are therefore unduly expensive in terms of metal
and menufacturing cost.
(iii) Scope for denominations higher than $1 is limited to a round
piece about 34 millimetres in diameter, which would be very near if not beyond the limit of acceptable size, or to shaped pieces. (A $5 coin would now almost certainly be less expensive than a note having regard to its much longer life).