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50 Cents, Bank of Indochina, French Indochina, 1920–1923 (Pick 46)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1920-1923

Issuing entity

French Indochina

This 50 Cents note was issued in French Indochina by the Bank of Indochina, with dates recorded from 1920–1923. It belongs to the Piastre (1880-1952) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Third Republic (1870-1940). and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 46.

Its lettering reads “BANQUE DE L'INDO-CHINE / 50 CENTS / PAYABLES AU PORTEUR EN INDO-CHINE EN ESPÈCES / G. FRAIPONT”. Reverse: Dragons facing each other. Its lettering reads “DÉCRET DU 3 AVRIL 1901 / ÉMISSION AUTORISÉE LE 6 OCTOBRE 1919 / L'ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PÉNAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS À / PERPÉTUITÉ CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSFIÉ LES BILLETES / DE BANQUE AUTORISÉES PAR LA LOI, AINSI QUE CEUX QUI / AURONT FAIT USAGE DE CES BILLETES CONTREFAITS OU FALSIFIÉS. / G. FRAIPONT / CHAIX.PARIS”.

The note was printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris, France (1845-1965). Design is credited to Gustave Fraipont. 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
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

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

Physical characteristics

Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper

Technical characteristics

Printer
Imprimerie Chaix, Paris, France (1845-1965)
Currency
Piastre (1880-1952)
Designer
Gustave Fraipont
Demonetized
Yes
Issuing bank
Bank of Indochina

Design

Reverse
Dragons facing each other
Obverse lettering
BANQUE DE L'INDO-CHINE / 50 CENTS / PAYABLES AU PORTEUR EN INDO-CHINE EN ESPÈCES / G. FRAIPONT
Reverse lettering
DÉCRET DU 3 AVRIL 1901 / ÉMISSION AUTORISÉE LE 6 OCTOBRE 1919 / L'ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PÉNAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS À / PERPÉTUITÉ CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSFIÉ LES BILLETES / DE BANQUE AUTORISÉES PAR LA LOI, AINSI QUE CEUX QUI / AURONT FAIT USAGE DE CES BILLETES CONTREFAITS OU FALSIFIÉS. / G. FRAIPONT / CHAIX.PARIS

Identification

Value
50 Cents
Dates recorded
1920-1923
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 46

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)P46
  • NumistaN# 292240

Research required

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