You know a lot about Vietnam because of the United States Police Action (War) against Communist insurgants from November 1955 to May 15, 1975. For instance, you know this war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations. You, also, know there were different governing factions before, during and after the United States' participation in the war. Did you ever give much thought as to the coins issued by all entities of the different Vietnams? Do you want to see some? Since this is article is a trivia treatise on the numismatic aspects of the different Vietnams coinage, I am only going to introduce you to a few of the first coins issued by the different entities. Photo links courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery (worldcoingallery.com): In January 1946, the Viet-Minh, under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh won elections across central and northern Vietnam and began killing off opposition politicians. The first coins you'll see are those issued by the Viet-Minh government dated 1946: NOTE: There were two varieties of the 1946 5 Hao: 1946 Copper-nickel 5 Hao w/value incused in star 1946 Copper-nickel 5 Hao w/value raised on star 1946 C-N 1 Dong 1946 C-N 2 Dong The following coins were the first issued by South Vietnam: 1953 10 Su 1953 20 Su 1953 50 Xu North Vietnam issued the following coins in 1958: 1958 1 Xu 1958 2 Xu 1958 5 Xu South Vietnam issued a C-N 1 Dong in 1960: 1960 1 Dong Shortly after the United States' withdrawal the country reverted to Vietnam under the People's Revolutionary Government and issued the following coins in 1975: 1975 1 Xu 1975 2 Xu 1975 5 Xu Thought you should know... Clinker
Hi Clinker, Thank you for posting all the photos..very interesting. I had an obsession to learn about Vietnam a number of years ago, thus read a great deal, differing perspectives. Only thing I came away with besides the knowledge learned was a paper currency, not Vietnamese, and I guess not really currency.. it is a military issue paper note. Later today I am going to go find it where I have it stored and see if it would be worth a picture Thank you again, and I like the looks of the South Vietnam coins better.. Kind regards, LucyRay
Hi Lucy: So good to hear from you. Look for a trivia article on the first coins of the Koreas in the near future... Clinker
