Indochina

French Indochina piastre notes from the Banque de l'Indochine, from the 1920s to the 1953 issues with Emperor Bảo Đại.

Notes from a colonial currency shared by Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

History and frequently asked questions below ↓

About Indochina banknotes

The Indochinese piastre was used across French Indochina from 1885. Its notes carried French text alongside Vietnamese, Lao and Khmer, and showed scenes from all three lands. From 1951–1953 the Institut d'Émission des États issued notes for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia before each country introduced its own currency.

See also: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Asian banknotes.

Frequently asked questions

Where was the piastre used?

Throughout French Indochina: today's Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Who was Bảo Đại?

The last emperor of Vietnam, who appears on some of the last piastre notes.

When was the Indochinese piastre introduced?

In 1885, under French rule.

Are your French Indochina banknotes genuine?

Yes. Every French Indochina note we sell is a genuine banknote, never a copy or replica. Each listing states the grade, gives the Pick catalogue number where one exists and shows the front and back, and every order ships tracked from Hungary.