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French Indochina Coins

The monetary history of French Indochina is a fascinating chapter in Southeast Asian numismatics. During the French colonial period, which extended from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, the region underwent major changes in its monetary system, reflecting European influence on the local economy.

The Indochina piastra

The piastra of Indochina was the main unit of currency during much of French colonial rule. Introduced in 1885, this currency replaced the various local currencies and was divided into 100 centimes. The piastra was minted in silver and later in other metals, and its designs often combined French and Asian elements, such as the effigy of Marianne along with local motifs.

Transition and legacy

After World War II, Indochina's monetary system began to fragment. In 1953, the Indochina franc was introduced as a transitional measure before the independence of the countries in the region. This period saw the issuance of some of the rarest and most sought after pieces by collectors. After independence, each nation developed its own monetary system, but coins and banknotes from the colonial era remain objects of great numismatic interest, testimony to a crucial era in the history of Southeast Asia.

If you are a passionate collector, this catalog offers the possibility to create your own personal collection. You can add your coins and generate a free PDF catalog from a complete database and our management tools. In addition, once registered, you will have the opportunity to exchange coins with other collectors around the world easily and free of charge.

📢 French Indochina is a country that does not exist today. It is now part of the Vietnam coins.

Ancient coins of French Indochina

To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of French Indochina.

Tonkin 1905-1905 French Administration 1885-1940 Vichy France 1939-1944 Federation of Indochina 1945-1947

The most valuable coins

The most valuable French Indochina coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:

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The valuation of these coins has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.

Swapping available Note the coins labelled with this message, it means that there are collectors who have that coin and are willing to make a swap. Visit their collection from their personal page.

Coin Catalog

1/600 piastres (Tonkin Protectorate)

FO#21129 KM#1tk
Price: 27,50€
Year: 1935
Period: Tonkin
Weight: 2,10 g
Composition: Zinc
Diameter: 25,50 mm
Edge: Smooth

1 centime

FO#7528 KM#1
Price: 0,21€ - 14,50€
Year: 1885-1894
Period: French Administration
Weight: 9,91 g
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 32,00 mm
Edge: Smooth

10 cents

FO#22678 KM#2
Year: 1885
Period: French Administration
Weight: 2,70 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 19,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

10 cents

FO#22679 KM#2a
Year: 1896
Period: French Administration
Weight: 2,70 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 19,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

20 cents

FO#22681 KM#3
Year: 1885
Period: French Administration
Weight: 5,40 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 26,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

20 cents

FO#22682 KM#3a
Year: 1896
Period: French Administration
Weight: 5,40 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 26,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

50 céntimes

FO#21207 KM#4.a2
Price: 25,00€
Year: 1936
Period: French Administration
Weight: 29,00 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 13,50 mm
Edge: Ribbed

50 centimes

FO#21208 KM#4
Year: 1885-1895
Period: French Administration
Weight: 13,50 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 29,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

50 centimes

FO#21209 KM#4.a1
Year: 1986
Period: French Administration
Weight: 13,50 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 29,00 mm
Edge:

1 piastre

FO#7679 KM#5.a1
Year: 1895-1926
Period: French Administration
Weight: 27,00 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 39,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

1 piastre

FO#22686 KM#5
Year: 1886
Period: French Administration
Weight: 27,21 g
Composition: Silver (0,900)
Diameter: 37,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

1 sapeque

FO#22674 KM#6
Year: 1887
Period: French Administration
Weight: 2,01 g
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 20,00 mm
Edge: Smooth

1 cent

FO#22676 KM#7
Year: 1895
Period: French Administration
Weight: 10,00 g
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 31,00 mm
Edge: Smooth

1 cent

FO#22677 KM#8
Year: 1897
Period: French Administration
Weight: 7,51 g
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 27,50 mm
Edge: Smooth

10 centimes

FO#22271 KM#9
Price: 10,00€
Year: 1900
Period: French Administration
Weight: 2,70 g
Composition: Silver (0,835)
Diameter: 19,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

20 cents

FO#22683 KM#10
Year: 1902
Period: French Administration
Weight: 5,40 g
Composition: Silver (0,835)
Diameter: 26,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

1 centime

FO#7529 KM#12
Price: 1,94€ - 20,00€
Year: 1908-1939
Period: French Administration
Weight: 5,00 g
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 26,00 mm
Edge: Smooth

20 cents (Mule)

FO#22684 KM#13
Year: 1909
Period: French Administration
Weight: 5,50 g
Composition: Silver (0,835)
Diameter: 24,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

10 cents

FO#22680 KM#14
Year: 1920
Period: French Administration
Weight: 3,00 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 19,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

20 cents

FO#22685 KM#15
Year: 1920
Period: French Administration
Weight: 6,00 g
Composition: Silver
Diameter: 26,00 mm
Edge: Ribbed

Other resources to find coins and banknotes of French Indochina

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