The colonial territory of French Indochina comprised much of today’s Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. As France developed
their economic and political interests in Indo-China, they needed a currency in which to trade. In the nineteenth century the
silver dollar was the most suitable coin for international trade, as it was accepted as currency in many areas of the world.
This historical Piastre coin was first minted in 1885, at exactly the same time as the Statue of Liberty was being erected in
NY harbor. The design was clearly lifted straight from the Statue--another French export, and also from the ancient Romeinspired, seated-female allegory found on the coins of the US (Seated Liberty types) and Britain at that time. The image
shows Liberty seated among rice plants, holding fasces—the ancient Roman symbol of power. Like other western powers
that were competing to fulfill the Orient’s demand for silver “Trade Dollars”, these coins were struck oversize and were
made extra heavy expressly for Asian markets. With 24.3 grams of pure silver, they are among the heaviest silver coins
minted at that time. The design was unchanged until 1928.
The Statue of Liberty- France and early United states were closely linked in America’s early days. France entered the
American Revolutionary War in 1778, and assisted in the victory of the Americans seeking independence from Britain. The
American Revolution was one of the many contributing factors to the French Revolution. To celebrate this close
relationship, Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design a sculpture as a gift to America. The
completion was in 1876 to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence. The design that emerged was
inspired by ancient Rome’s goddesses. The Statue’s construction was a joint effort between America and France. Structural
design challenges and financing for the construction of the pedestal delayed the project for 10 years until it was finally
formally dedicated on October 28th 1886.
Data:
Weight: 27grams; 90% fine; Diameter: 38.35 mm; thickness 2.50 mm.
Box measures: 4 3/8" X 5 3/8"
Order code: FRENCH-INDOCHINABOX
All coins in each set are protected in an archival capsule and beautifully displayed in a mahogany-like box.
The box set is accompanied with a story card, certificate of authenticity, and a black embossed gift box.
Coin type and grade may vary somewhat from image