½ Tael ND
| Silver (.900) | 18.8 g | 34.7 mm |
| Issuer | French Indochina |
|---|---|
| Period | Vichy France (1940-1944) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1943-1944 |
| Value | ½ Tael |
| Currency | Tael (1943-1944) |
| Composition | Silver (.900) |
| Weight | 18.8 g |
| Diameter | 34.7 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#18762 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 86% |
Reverse
Laotian and Chinese denomination
Lettering:
ເຄິ່ງເງິນໂດລາ
銀正两半
Translation: Half Liang/bye
Engraver: R. Mercier
Edge
Reeded
Comment
In 1943, the French customs authorities (Doanes et Régies) ordered coins from the Hanoi workshop to make opium purchases in Laos and Tonkin. (Source: Monnaies et jetons des colonies françaises, Ed. Gadoury)
KM#A1.1 and KM#A1.2 were removed from the regular Krause coin catalog (1901-2000) and henceforth appear only in the Krause Unusual World Coins under French Indo-China as X#1 and X#1a which differ in weight as presented in the latter catalog. Because these coins circulated extensively in Yunnan province in China these coins are also listed in the L&M book on Chinese coins. As a result, the reference number from that book [LM-434] is most commonly used to identify these coins.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the ½ Tael ND (1943-1944) coin from French Indochina is that it was minted during the Japanese occupation of Indochina during World War II. The coin was issued by the Japanese government, which had taken over the minting of currency in Indochina during this period. This coin is a rare example of a coin that was minted during a time of war and occupation, and it is a valuable collector's item for numismatists who are interested in the history of currency and the impact of war on currency production.
