That Luang, the great stupa in Vientiane, was effectively razed by Siamese forces in 1828 following the failed rebellion of King Anouvong — the city itself was left largely depopulated for decades. The 450th anniversary commemorated here marks the stupa's original construction under King Setthathirath, who relocated the Lao capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane around 1560 and ordered the monument built over an earlier Khmer site.
Laos has issued commemorative gold in this weight class — a quarter-ounce — primarily for the export collector market, with domestic circulation essentially nonexistent given the denomination relative to average income.
That Luang, the great stupa in Vientiane, was effectively razed by Siamese forces in 1828 following the failed rebellion of King Anouvong — the city itself was left largely depopulated for decades. The 450th anniversary commemorated here marks the stupa's original construction under King Setthathirath, who relocated the Lao capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane around 1560 and ordered the monument built over an earlier Khmer site.
Laos has issued commemorative gold in this weight class — a quarter-ounce — primarily for the export collector market, with domestic circulation essentially nonexistent given the denomination relative to average income.