These are a strange pair. I don't think I got them at the same time. Both are bronze 20 mm. Left one is 1.63 g, right is 1.84 g. Both appear to say "COCHINCHINE FRANÇAISE 1879 A" on the obverse. (They are easier to read in hand than in my photos, unfortunately) The reverse of the left one appears to have a Chinese numeral 一 and the right a 二. I don't think there even was an 1879 1 Sapèque coin, so my guess is that the 一 is either weakly struck or has a strange wear pattern and should be a 二. It's strange, as turning the coin in the light I don't really see any trace of the upper stroke of the 二, and all the other characters are clearly readable. Here's the Numista 2 Sapèque for comparison. Any other reasonable theory besides a poorly-struck or worn 1879 2 Sapèque?
I am thinking the one on the left is either weakly struck and/or corroded. The character at 10 o'clock and the border around the center hole on the bottom of the reverse are not visible either.The rims are worn away on both. I have four of these and they all weigh 1.97g to 1.99g.
