4 Francs - Norodom I Pattern

French Indochina's monetary administration never formally adopted a Cambodian gold franc coinage for circulation, which is precisely why this piece exists only as a pattern. Norodom I had signed the 1863 protectorate treaty under considerable duress, and French authorities retained tight control over fiscal policy throughout his reign — a circulating domestic gold issue would have implied a degree of monetary autonomy Paris had no intention of granting.

The Fessard attribution (Fr#2a) distinguishes this from at least one other pattern variety in the series.