CVC & Collectables presents this 1943–44 French Indochina 1 Tael Silver Coin, issued under Vichy France during World War II for use in Laos and Tonkin. Certified NGC MS61, this large-format colonial trade coin was struck to facilitate opium purchases and circulation in regional markets. Issued in .900 fine silver and weighing 38 grams, the coin features Chinese and Lao inscriptions and was engraved by R. Mercier, making it a historically rich and scarce relic of wartime Southeast Asia. Coin Highlights: Issuer: French Indochina Ruling Authority: Vichy France (1940–1944) Date: 1943–1944 Denomination: 1 Tael Currency: Tael (localized weight-based currency) Composition: Silver (.900 fine) Weight: 38 grams Diameter: 41 mm Thickness: 7 mm Edge: Reeded Grade: NGC MS61 — Mint State with full weight and well-preserved surfaces Reference: KM# A2a, Numista N#49612 Status: Demonetized Obverse Design: Single Chinese character 富 (Fu), meaning “Wealth” Bold, centrally placed and engraved by R. Mercier Reverse Design: Chinese and Lao inscriptions, reading: 銀正兩一 (One Liang / Tael of pure silver) ຫນຶ່ງດອນລາ (One Tael in Lao) Also engraved by R. Mercier Collectibility: With its large size, unusual silver denomination, and direct ties to colonial trade and the opium economy, this French Indochina tael stands out as a rare and fascinating WWII-era issue. Certified NGC MS61, it’s a high-grade survivor from a short-lived and complex period in colonial and numismatic history — sought after by collectors of colonial silver, World War II coinage, and Asian trade currency. Find more alike here!
