Hong Kong is a major center for Asian philately with Chinese collectors and investors some of the biggest buyers.
[1][2] So called because of their colour, these stamps are highly sought after by collectors.
In addition to interest in rarities by advanced collectors there has been spirited public interest in stamps such as the Golden Monkey the 1980 Chinese zodiac stamp which is considered auspicious.
A full sheet of this stamp, which is not rare — 5 million were printed, sold in 2011 for $180,000 with a single stamp selling for $1,500.
[4] Demand for Chinese zodiac stamps extends to current issues such as the Year of the Rabbit stamp issued in 2011 with supplies selling out at post offices in China within a few hours.