Laos 1952 10 cents

from the Mountain Groan Collection

Laos came under a French protectorate in the 1890's but French control was fatally disrupted by Japanese occupation during World War Two. The Laotians tried to stay neutral during the ensuing Vietnamese conflict but were inexorably sucked in. In 1975, after the communists emerged triumphant, the monarchy collapsed and the communists have ruled Laos since. Unexploded bombs dropped by the Americans during the war have rendered large areas uninhabitable and Laos remains backward and poor. This ten cents was struck in Paris in 1952, while Laos was still a member of the French Union.

Recorded mintage: 2,000,000.

Specification: 1.32 g, aluminum, 25 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 4.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1952 20 cents
• 1952 50 cents
• Coins and currency dated 1952