Sapeque


Bronze	2.01 g	20 mm

Description

Issuer	French Indochina
Period	Third Republic (1870-1940)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1887-1902
Value	1 Sapeque (0.002&nbspICFP)
Currency	Piastre (1880-1952)
Composition	Bronze
Weight	2.01 g
Diameter	20 mm
Thickness	0.8 mm
Shape	Round with a square hole
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized	Yes
Updated	2024-10-04

References

Numista	N#11331
Rarity index	22%

Reverse

Chinese lettering around square hole.

Script: Chinese

Lettering:
南安之國法大
當二

Translation:
French Annam
Worth two

Engraver: Jean-Auguste Barre

Edge

Plain

Comment

The Chinese text is ambiguous about the value. It could be interpreted as “worth two cash/dongs” (ten cash in a cent, two dongs in a sapeque) or “worth 2/1000 piastre”.
However, the legislation authorizing this issue clearly states the sapeque is 2/1000 piastre.

The KM catalog erroneously identifies this type as a 2 sapeque coin. Consequently, many auction houses also call it 2 sapeque.

Interesting fact

The Sapeque coin from French Indochina, which was in circulation from 1887 to 1902, has an interesting feature. It was made of bronze and weighed 2.01 grams. The coin's design included the French Republic's motto, "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité," which was inscribed on the reverse side. This coin was used in the French colonies in Indochina, which included present-day Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
1887 A	5000000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1888 A	5000000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1889 A	100	-	-	-	-	-	-
1892 A	1636000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1893 A	864000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1894 A	2500000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1897 A	2829000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1898 A	2171000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1899 A	5000000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1900 A	100	-	-	-	-	-	-
1901 A	4843000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1902 A	2500000	-	-	-	-	-	-