1 Piastre Pattern

France struck these pattern piastres during a prolonged debate over whether to reform the Indochinese monetary system entirely. The existing trade piastre had been pegged to silver since 1885, but the metal's volatile price through the 1920s made the colonial treasury increasingly uncomfortable. Several competing designs and edge varieties were produced across the decade, which accounts for the dual Lecompte references — 276 and 276a represent distinct die or edge variations rather than simple restrikes.

No reform materialized. The piastre remained on silver until 1931, when France finally tied it to the franc instead.