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1 Piastre, Bank of Indochina, French Indochina, 1932–1949 (Pick 54)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1932-1949

Issuing entity

French Indochina

This 1 Piastre note was issued in French Indochina by the Bank of Indochina, with dates recorded from 1932–1949. It belongs to the Piastre (1880-1952) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Third Republic (1870-1940). It measures 127 × 80 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 54.

Obverse: Woman in traditional clothes / Tomb of Minh Mang (second king of the Nguyen dynasty) - Hue, Vietnam / Red denomination. Its lettering reads “BANQUE DE L'INDOCHINE / 1 / L'ART. 139 DU CODE PENAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCES CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSIFIE LES BILLETS DE BANQUE AUTORISEES PAR LA LOI / UNE PIASTRE / SÉB. LAURENT FEC. HOURRIEZ SC.”. Reverse: Young peasant with Vietnamese hat carrying yoke with baskets of coconuts, buffaloes in the background. Text in Chinese, Lao, Vietnamese and Thai languages Scripts: Chinese, Lao, Latin and Thai. Its lettering reads “GIÁY MÒT DÒNG VÀNG / SÉB. LAURENT FEC. HOURRIEZ SC.”.

The note was printed by Banque de France, Paris, France. Design is credited to Sébastien Laurent. Engraving is credited to Georges Hourriez. Watermark: God Mercury head with wings. Signatures recorded for the type: René-Jules Thion de La Chaume (RJTLC) (Director); Paul Baudouin (PB) (General director); Marcel Borduge (MB) (President); Emile Charles Auguste Minost (ECAM) (President); Jean Laurent (JL) (General director). Demonetized: Yes.

Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
4
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Minh Mang tomb is a resting place of the second king of Nguyen Dynasty. His tomb ( Hieu tomb ) is about 12km West of Hue city, on the west bank of the Perfume River. The tomb is the best symbol of the harmonious combination of nature and architecture.

Physical characteristics

Size
127 × 80 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper
Watermark
God Mercury head with wings

Technical characteristics

Printer
Banque de France, Paris, France
Currency
Piastre (1880-1952)
Designer
Sébastien Laurent
Engraver
Georges Hourriez
Signatures
René-Jules Thion de La Chaume (RJTLC) (Director) · Paul Baudouin (PB) (General director) · Marcel Borduge (MB) (President) · Emile Charles Auguste Minost (ECAM) (President) · Jean Laurent (JL) (General director)
Demonetized
Yes
Issuing bank
Bank of Indochina

Design

Obverse
Woman in traditional clothes / Tomb of Minh Mang (second king of the Nguyen dynasty) - Hue, Vietnam / Red denomination
Reverse
Young peasant with Vietnamese hat carrying yoke with baskets of coconuts, buffaloes in the background. Text in Chinese, Lao, Vietnamese and Thai languages Scripts: Chinese, Lao, Latin and Thai
Obverse lettering
BANQUE DE L'INDOCHINE / 1 / L'ART. 139 DU CODE PENAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCES CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSIFIE LES BILLETS DE BANQUE AUTORISEES PAR LA LOI / UNE PIASTRE / SÉB. LAURENT FEC. HOURRIEZ SC.
Reverse lettering
GIÁY MÒT DÒNG VÀNG / SÉB. LAURENT FEC. HOURRIEZ SC.

Identification

Value
1 Piastre
Dates recorded
1932-1949
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 54

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P54
  • NumistaN# 292244

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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