...Hong Kong Bank of China - $20 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games Commemorative Note

中華人民共和國香港特別行政區

(Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China)

中國銀行(香港)有限公司

(Bank of China [Hong Kong] Limited)

Currency - Dollar (HKD)

 

Like the Bank of China's 2008 Beijing Olympics $20 commemorative note, the bank issued a new $20 banknote celebrating the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic games. The games were held from 04.02.2021 to 20.02.2022. Chinese New Year started on 01.02.2022. 

This is the third Winter Olympic Games banknote ever issued in the history of the games since 1924. Previous two notes issued were the Russia Sochi 2014 games, and then followed by South Korea PyeongChang 2018 games.

Unlike those issued in China and Macau, all notes are issued in a folder and come with a plastic cover protector, which is good for shipping and storage. This series comes in the following formats:- 

 

Single note - sold at HK$138 each (1.57 million sets);

4-in-one uncut sheet - HK$338 each (20,000 sets or 80,000 notes); and 

35-in-one sheet - HK$1,338 each (10,000 sets or 350,000 notes).

Like all previous commemorative notes issued in Hong Kong, purchasing of this series was done via online application. Application for the purchase was opened via the Internet on 01.12.2021 and closed on 10.12.2021, with the winners announced on 21.12.2021. It is not sure if the single notes were all subscribed, however, the uncut sheets for the 4-in-1 were very successful and as such, allocations for these were done via computer balloting. 

 

A total of 2.0 million notes were issued. Included in the 1.57 single notes, 200 single notes were set aside for public auction. These notes are all printed with low, unique or auspicious serial numbers. All profits raised from the sales were donated to various charities.

 

According to a report, this note was launched on 24.11.2021 by Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po. The theme for this note is based on a Tang dynasty poem "From Far Away You Share This Moment With Me". Unfortunately, this Winter games was restricted with no foreign spectators allowed due to the ongoing pandemic, so most people were only able to enjoy the games via their own home's telly.

The front features the emblem of the coming Games and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, adorned with snowflakes, according to Dai Xiaodong, the bank’s general manager of financial management department. 

Apart from the notes printed with no letter and AA prefixes, they are also printed with the AB prefix. Like those previous commemorative notes issued, it is not expected to see these notes circulating in the economy at face value. These notes will be kept as a souvenir for generations to come. 

 

Twenty Dollars Commemorative (No letter prefix)

Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong

Twenty Dollars Commemorative (Prefix AA)

Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong

 

The design on the front of the note is very similar to the current $20 series. On the front, it has the Bank of China main building. In the center of the note, it has the giant snowflake, printed on it is the Beijing 2022 Olympics logo. On the top right-hand corner, the two leaves printed on the current $20 has been replaced by the national flower of Bauhinia. This note is dated 01.01.2022. 

 

This note is printed with the Galaxy windowed security thread with Saturn effect and demetalised 20 and Bauhinia flowers. It also has the watermark of a giant snowflake and electrotype 20. 

 

Signature - Sun Yu (appointed 23.12.2020)

Watermark - Giant snowflake and electrotype 20

Imprinter - Hong Kong Note Printing Limited

Dimension - 143mm x 71.5mm

 

On the back, the design is on a vertical format, depicting the main image of a speed skater and an alpine skier. On top of it is the silhouette of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour under the shimmering moonlight and at the bottom is the image of the Great Wall of China, and mountains. This note is predominantly printed in blue colour.

 

A speed skater and an alpine skier, Great Wall of China

Front Folder Cover