British Hong Kong 1876 cent, nice eye appeal

I bought this one mainly for the charming portrait and the attractively toned surfaces. Not an expensive purchase, but a happy one!

Looks like that reverse die was just about ready to disintegrate!

BRITISH HONG KONG
Time of Victoria, 1837-1901
CU Cent (27.5mm, 7.53g, 12h)
Dated 1876. Royal mint, London, UK
Obverse: VICTORIA QUEEN, crowned bust of Queen Victoria left
Reverse: Chinese value within beaded circle; HONG – KONG above, * ONE CENT 1876 * below
References: Numista 5657
Mintage: 1,000,000
Attractively toned copper surfaces with worn highlights.​

Hong Kong came under British rule in 1841 in the aftermath of the First Opium War, which was fought by the British (notably the East India Company) in order to protect their highly lucrative trade of opium in China. In 1842 the Treaty of Nanking was signed, which ceded Hong Kong in perpetuity to the British. Control of the territory remained in British hands until 1997.

Thanks for taking a look! Feel free to comment and/or share your own coins of British Hong Kong or whatever else you feel like!

 

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Yeah, I like the coin very much too. The design, especially of Victoria, is very appealing.
I did notice the faint die cracks on the reverse but they look to be in the beginning stages and not yet serious. Time for a new die though.

Bruce