Catalog
20 Xu Not issued
| Issuer | Central Committee of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam |
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| Year | 1968 |
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| Reference(s) | P#R2 |
| Obverse description | The obverse is printed in dark red on a multicolour guilloche underprint of pale yellow, green, and blue wavy-line patterns. The central field is dominated by a large five-pointed star rendered in fine concentric guilloche lines, flanked by elaborate floral and scroll vignettes at left and right, each enclosing the denomination numeral '20 XU' in an ornate cartouche. A serial number appears below the central star. The upper border carries the issuing authority inscription in two lines, and the lower border bears the denomination in a dark panel with decorative end-pieces. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse is printed in dark red on a matching multicolour guilloche underprint of pale yellow, green, and blue. The central field carries a five-pointed star in orange at the top, below which a teal guilloche vignette encloses the numeral '20' with 'XU' beneath it, surmounted by a small floral ornament. Flanking the centre are tall, intricately engraved floral medallions, each with the numeral '20' in a circular cartouche, and the denomination legend 'HAI MƯƠI XU' is set in bold letterpress across the lower centre. Corner numerals '20' appear at all four angles outside the main border. |
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| Comments |
The National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam — known in the West as the Viet Cong — issued a parallel currency series intended to circulate in territory under its control, asserting administrative legitimacy against the Saigon government's piasters. This 20 Xu denomination was prepared for the 1968 series but never formally released into circulation. Whether that decision reflected the disruption caused by the Tet Offensive that same year, supply problems, or a deliberate policy choice to limit low-denomination issuance is not documented with certainty.
Unissued examples survive in remarkably consistent condition precisely because none entered the field.