Bank of China issues Olympic banknote

by Richard Kilner

Story link: Bank of China issues Olympic banknote

The Bank of China has today announced the launch the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Hong Kong Dollar Commemorative Banknote.

A total of 4 million notes will be sold from 16-31 July at 50 designated branches of the Bank of China.

The money raised from the sale (after deducting face value and costs) will be donated to charity, with a portion set aside for local sports development.

It is the first time that the Olympics have been accompanied by a commemorative banknote, and the charitable nature of the sale is designed to promote the Olympic spirit.

Although the notes will be legal tender in Hong Kong they are not intended to be used in the local economy, and are being sold at a higher cost than their actual value.