Olympics Commemorative Banknotes Up For Grabs

Hong Kong people will soon be able to get their hands on banknotes commemorating the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics.

Bank of China (Hong Kong) announced on Wednesday it will offer two million HK$20 commemorative banknotes.

Single notes will go for HK$138 each, 4-in-1 uncut notes will cost HK$338, and 35-in-1 uncut notes are priced at HK$1,388.

All proceeds will go to charity.

People will be able to subscribe online or submit application forms at bank branches from December 1.

The bank said the design of the banknotes takes its inspiration from a moon-themed Chinese poem, with the front side featuring the emblem of the Winter Olympics and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, and its back showing the Great Wall of China against a silhouette of Victoria Harbour.

Speaking at a press conference, general manager of the bank's personal banking and wealth management department, Stephen Chan, said he’s expecting strong demand for the banknotes.

"We expect the whole subscription will be welcomed by our citizens," he said.

"There will be a procedure for the allocation (in case) there is over-subscription. It will be a fair and transparent procedure to make sure that it will be very effective for the whole subscription."