Enclosure 2.
186
# Memorandum by the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer.
Treasury,
Hongkong, 1st March, 1890.
I have the honour to submit in triplicate a design for a Hongkong Half Dollar, accompanied by an impression of the necessary Chinese Characters. The design for the reverse would look better if the Chinese characters had been written a little smaller.
I beg to suggest that $25,000 worth of these coins be now ordered.
It should, I think, be pointed out to the Secretary of State:
(1) That the coin is to be a token, containing twenty per cent of alloy;
(2) That the design is in strict conformity with Her Majesty's proclamation of 9th January, 1863.
(3) That the Chinese characters should be rather smaller than in the sketch, so as not so completely to fill the border of the coin.
(4) That it is particularly requested that the design of the original Hongkong half dollar (which was a coin of intrinsic value) be not reverted to.
(Signed) A. Lister,
Treasurer.
See Gazette of 2nd May, 1863, and Ordinance 1 of 1864.