French Administration (1885-1940) Coin List
French Indochina, established in 1885, was an important colony of the French Empire in Southeast Asia. During its administration, which lasted until 1940, France implemented several changes in the region, including the introduction of a new monetary system that reflected its colonial rule.
Colonial monetary system
The monetary system of French Indochina was based on the silver piastre, introduced in 1885. This currency replaced the various local currencies and became the official monetary unit of the colony. The piastre was divided into 100 centimes and coins of various values, from 1 cent to 1 piastre, were minted. The coins featured designs that combined French and Asian elements, such as the bust of Marianne (symbol of the French Republic) on the obverse and local motifs on the reverse. The French administration also issued bills denominated in piastres, which circulated widely throughout the region.
Economic impact and legacy
The introduction of the Indochina piastre had a profound impact on the local economy. It facilitated trade within the colony and with other regions under French control, while strengthening France's economic influence in Southeast Asia. The colonial monetary system lasted until World War II, when the Japanese occupation and independence movements began to challenge French rule. Although the piastre was eventually replaced by national currencies after the independence of the Indochinese countries, its legacy persists in the numismatic history of the region. French Indochina coins and banknotes are now valuable collectibles that offer a fascinating insight into the French colonial era in Southeast Asia.
The most valuable and popular coins
The most valuable French Administration (1885-1940) coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins list 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.
Old 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 1945-1947Coin Catalog
Indochina Francesa | 1 centime
Indochina Francesa | 10 cents
Indochina Francesa | 10 cents
Indochina Francesa | 20 cents
Indochina Francesa | 20 cents
Indochina Francesa | 50 centimes
Indochina Francesa | 50 céntimes
Indochina Francesa | 50 centimes
Indochina Francesa | 1 piastre
Indochina Francesa | 1 piastre
Indochina Francesa | 1 sapeque
Indochina Francesa | 1 cent
Indochina Francesa | 1 cent
Indochina Francesa | 10 centimes
Indochina Francesa | 20 cents
Indochina Francesa | 1 centime
Indochina Francesa | 20 cents (Mule)
Indochina Francesa | 10 cents
Indochina Francesa | 20 cents
Indochina Francesa | 10 centimes
Indochina Francesa | 10 cent
Indochina Francesa | 20 centimes
Indochina Francesa | 20 centimes
Indochina Francesa | 5 centimes
Indochina Francesa | 5 centimes
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of French Indochina
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