French Indochina 1921 piastre
This specimen was lot 30522 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $720. The catalog description[1] noted, "French Indo-China: French Colony Piastre 1921 MS64 NGC. Exhibiting shimmering fields with surfaces dressed in bright peach color. As is often the case with the type Liberty's face appears somewhat weakly struck, though this example offers ample charm nonetheless. From the Cape Coral Collection of French Ecus and 5 Francs." This piastre is one of a type issued for French Indochina during 1895-1928. The coin was intended to compete with various trade dollars from the Straits Settlements, India, Mexico and the United States. French Indochina was occupied by the Japanese in 1940. French attempts to reoccupy the area after World War Two were challenged by Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh, leading to French defeat and withdrawal in 1954. The colony was divided into Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. This specimen is a product of the Paris mint tho it bears no mintmark.
Recorded mintage: 4,850,000.
Specification: 27 g, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 5a.2, Lec-296.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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