1941 Hong Kong 10 Cents Banknote – Bradbury & Co. Emergency Issue (Pick# 315b) A compact WWII-era fractional note printed by Bradbury & Co. for the British colonial government, reflecting wartime austerity and practical design.
Historical Context
The 1941 10 Cents note (Pick# 315b) was issued by the Government of Hong Kong and printed by Bradbury & Wilkinson & Co. Ltd., a prominent British security printer. As World War II disrupted coin production and circulation, the colonial administration introduced low-denomination paper notes to maintain liquidity for everyday transactions. This emergency issue was released shortly before the Japanese invasion in December 1941, making it one of the last notes circulated under uninterrupted British rule.
Design Features
Obverse: Printed in brown ink on tan paper, the note features a central guilloche pattern with the denomination “10 CENTS.” The text reads: “GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG – THESE NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY SMALL AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING TWO DOLLARS.” The printer’s name, Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., appears at the bottom.
Reverse: Printed with a mirrored guilloche design and the denomination repeated. “GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG” is prominently displayed.
Color Scheme: Brown on tan, with symmetrical ornamental borders and no royal imagery.
Specifications & Corner Data
Feature Description
Pick Number P-315b
Denomination 10 Cents
Issuing Authority Government of Hong Kong
Year of Issue 1941 (undated)
Material Paper
Size Approx. 95 × 55 mm
Printer Bradbury, Wilkinson Co. Ltd.
Watermark None
Security Features None
Reverse Printed with matching design
Languages Used English only
Collector Appeal
This note is ideal for:
Collectors of British colonial currency
WWII and Pacific War historians
Exhibits on emergency money and wartime finance
Its brief circulation window and connection to wartime Hong Kong make it a compelling artifact of resilience and transition. Let me know if you'd like a market value estimate or help comparing it with other emergency issues.
