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20 Cents - Sisavang Vong Essai
| Issuer | Laos |
|---|---|
| Year | 1952 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 20 Cents (0.20) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Central device depicting the Erawan, the three-headed elephant of Lao royal symbolism, shown in high relief standing upon a tiered pedestal and surmounted by a multi-tiered parasol representing royal authority. A circular central hole pierces the field at the centre of the design. The bilingual legend ROYAUME DU LAOS arcs along the left and lower periphery in Latin script, while the equivalent legend in Lao script arcs along the right periphery. The date 1952 appears in the lower exergue beneath the pedestal. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | ROYAUME DU LAOS 1952 |
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| Additional information |
Sisavang Vong had reigned under French protection since 1904, and by 1952 Laos was nominally an associated state within the French Union — independent in theory, colonial in practice. These essai pieces were struck in Paris as pattern trials ahead of the first properly Laotian coinage series, testing compositions and specifications before full production was committed. Aluminium was the preferred metal for minor denominations across French-administered territories in this period, chosen for cost and ease of striking in tropical conditions.
Essais of this series are distinguished by the word "ESSAI" incuse on the coin. Relatively small numbers were struck, distributed largely to officials and collectors rather than entering circulation.