P#18 occupies an awkward position in Lao monetary history. The note was issued in 1975 — the same year the Pathet Lao abolished the monarchy and terminated the Kingdom of Laos entirely. Sisavang Vatthana, the last king, abdicated in December 1975 under pressure and was later imprisoned, dying in a re-education camp sometime around 1978 or 1979, though the communist government never officially confirmed his fate.
The Banque Nationale du Laos itself was dissolved shortly after, replaced by the Banque d'État du Laos. Notes of this series were quickly demonetized and withdrawn, which limits surviving circulated examples.
P#18 occupies an awkward position in Lao monetary history. The note was issued in 1975 — the same year the Pathet Lao abolished the monarchy and terminated the Kingdom of Laos entirely. Sisavang Vatthana, the last king, abdicated in December 1975 under pressure and was later imprisoned, dying in a re-education camp sometime around 1978 or 1979, though the communist government never officially confirmed his fate.
The Banque Nationale du Laos itself was dissolved shortly after, replaced by the Banque d'État du Laos. Notes of this series were quickly demonetized and withdrawn, which limits surviving circulated examples.