1 mil 1863 Hong Kong, uncirculated. In an attempt to take control over the daily cash flow in its crown colony of Hong Kong, Great Britain in 1863 began striking coins with low denominations. The traditional Chinese cash coins, cast with a square hole, dominated daily trade. The British therefore manufactured their version of a cash coin, although struck, not cast. The result was this tiny coin, with a simple design. Normally British coins showed Queen Victoria, but a regal portrait on a holed coin was problematic, so instead it was "VR" (for Victoria Regina) and a crown. The reverse has Hong Kong in Chinese and the value 1 wen (the value of one Chinese cash coin). Making a square hole with correct orientation on a struck coin is difficult, so a round hole with a square outlined around it had to do. The British cash coin never became popular. It was much smaller than its Chinese counterparts, and it looked quite different from the traditional cash coins. The round hole and the reference to the foreign ruler Queen Victoria didn't make it better either. Minting ceased in 1866. 1 mil (1/1000 dollar), Hong Kong 1863, Victoria I. Minted in Birmingham. Bronze. Weight 0.98 g, diameter 15 mm. See images for correct impression.