Coins used in HK are in denominations ranging from 10 cents to10 dollars. Despite new orders by government, coin shortage in active circulation continues because a significant portion is either held by collectors, kept at home or lost.

With Octopus stored-value card and other electronic payments, incidents of using coins to pay transport fares or buy small retail items are largely reduced. Many HK citizens simply accumulate the spare coins at home particularly because banks are charging a fee to exchange or deposit coins.

A creative concept of ‘ Coin Collection Cart – A Mobile Bank at Your Doorstep ‘ is created to let the general public cash in their coins for free . It’s a brand-new concept in the global context with public servicing and environmental protection objectives in mind.

The design of the Cart is converted from 10-ton truck chassis, with features in compliance with bank security infrastructure, and top security devices inside that are well protected by bullet-proofed roller shutters when vehicles in motion.

The Cart is tailored-made into customer area and highly secured area . The incorporation of counting machine inside the cart, which rapidly added up the values of coins has made daily administration greatly efficient. Citizens can choose to exchange their coins for banknotes or add value to Octopus card from the payment machine, and even donate to charity.

The operation is environmental-friendly, either runs with external power supply or its own power generator, with interior structures allowing ample natural light to come in to minimize electricity use. An electrical wheelchair lift is installed for use by those physically challenged.

In three months of operation, tens of thousands of people have visited the vehicles, about 46 millions of coins were collected, shifting over HK$ 41 million back to the economy, and have saved public resources in tens of millions of dollars from minting new coins!

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Client: Hong Kong Monetary Authority