doctor_slump 2008-7-15 12:51 AM
Hundreds queue for special HK banknotes
Hundreds of people began queueing outside Hong Kong branches of the Bank of China on Monday, desperate to get their hands on special banknotes released to commemorate the upcoming Olympics.
Hundreds gathered on pavements outside five branches of the mainland bank for an overnight wait, ahead of the release of the new 20 Hong Kong dollar (2.5 US) notes, local media and an AFP photographer at one branch said.
Some hid under umbrellas as rain began to fall, while others had set up tents and brought food for the long night ahead.
The bank unveiled the notes last week. The front features a picture of a plinth, the Beijing 2008 logo and the landmark Bank of China tower in Hong Kong.
On the reverse is the image of the Beijing Olympic stadium, better known as the "Bird's Nest".
The bank is releasing four million of the banknotes at its Hong Kong and Macau branches and in some overseas branches.
Keen collectors will be able to pick up a coupon on Tuesday and get their hands on the new notes when they are released officially on Wednesday, according to local broadcaster Cable TV.
Although they are legal tender, they are not intended for general circulation but as collectors' items, the bank said in its statement.
A single note will be sold for 138 HK dollars, while a package of 35 uncut notes will sell for 1,388 dollars.
[img]http://d.yimg.com/i/ng/ne/afp/20080714/16/214858652-hundreds-queue-special-hk-banknotes.jpg?x=221&y=345&q=75&sig=iKmF6vBRPlFRNZVWqu4mjA--[/img]
[color=Gray]People hoping to get a Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Hong Kong Dollar Commemorative Banknote queue outside the Bank of China building, two days ahead of the launch of the Olympic banknote in Hong Kong.[/color]