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Auction: 24500 - World Banknotes - e-Auction
Lot: 765

Oriental Bank, Hong Kong, [Discovery note] Front colour trial specimen for $5, Honk Kong, 1st of September 1882, no serial numbers,
following the allure of the purple trial, this $5 note from the Oriental Bank Corporation emerges as a singular beacon of innovation, enveloped solely in shades of radiant orange.

Certified by PMG at a grade of 55 About Uncirculated, does not claim the coveted 'Top Pop' status due to PMG's undifferentiated population report for the different colour trials. Yet, its uniqueness is unparalleled; as no other note of this colour is known to exist for this type, crowning it as the finest known of its kind. Alongside its purple predecessor, these are the only two notes of this type ever certified by PMG, underscoring their extraordinary rarity and historical significance.

The Oriental Bank Corporation's narrative began in 1842 in Bombay, initially known as the Bank of Western India, birthed to fuel the expansive trade ambitions of the British Empire in Asia. Fueled by the opium trade, it quickly became a cornerstone in reshaping regional economic dynamics. Expansion to Colombo in 1843 and Calcutta in 1844 showcased its ambition, but the move to Hong Kong in 1846 was a masterstroke, placing the bank at the epicenter of global trade. Here, it not only facilitated commerce but shaped the financial backbone of a colonial economy. The strategic acquisition of the Bank of Ceylon in 1850 and the subsequent rebranding to the Oriental Bank Corporation upon receiving a royal charter in 1851, underscored its pivotal role in the imperial financial strategy.

In an era where colour in currency was more than decoration-it was a bold statement of identity and innovation-this orange $5 trial represents a fascinating chapter. Although plans for a full series of colored notes were considered, the $5 denomination ultimately reverted to black and white. However, this color palette found its destiny in the $25 note, which was issued for circulation with the exact same vibrant orange tones as this trial, creating a monumental link between this specimen and the denomination that followed it into the public eye.

A continuation of this storied bank's legacy through colour, this note is a singular testament, a vibrant echo of an age where every banknote was a canvas for innovation and ambition.
An issued note of this type was sold at Spink in April 2018 for HKD960,000 (inc. premium).

(Pick 267cts1), in PMG holder 55 About Uncirculated, selvage included, previously mounted, only 1 note in higher grade on PMG Census, yet and as mentioned before, with a different colour

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Sold for
£8,500

Starting price
£2200