Heard around Hong Kong

HONG KONG’S OLDEST BANKNOTE

as sold to a Hong Kong collector for HK$1.7 million at auction in London in August. The 161-year-old five-dollar banknote—the earliest known banknote of any denomination for Hong Kong—was issued by the Oriental Bank Corporation, the first bank to open a branch in Hong Kong, and dated June 1, 1860 (the same year Kowloon was ceded to the UK). The only other known issued, head of the banknote department at London auction house Dix Noonan Webb. Hold on while we go for a rummage behind the couch.