Initially called the "British Dollar," was first minted in 1895 following a request from the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, backed by the Straits Settlements. It was created to substitute the Mexican silver peso—commonly referred to as the Mexican "dollar"—which was becoming scarce. This peso had served as the standard currency across those colonies and various regions of East Asia.
Composition Silver (.900) Weight 26.95 g Diameter 39 mm Thickness 2.7 mm
