Catalog
| Issuer | Laos |
|---|---|
| Year | 1952 |
| Type | Coin pattern |
| Value | 50 Cents (0.50) |
| Currency | Piastre (1952) |
| Composition | Aluminium |
| Weight | 3.7 g |
| Diameter | 31 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#E3 |
| Obverse description | |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1952 - - 1 200 |
| Numisquare ID | 5033762850 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1952 Sisavang Vong Essai 50 Cents coin represents a pivotal moment in Laotian history. King Sisavang Vong, King of Laos from 1946, led the nation from a French Protectorate to full independence in 1953. This Essai, or pattern coin, highlights a period of monetary consideration and the assertion of national identity. It signals Laos's intent to establish its own currency system, moving beyond the French Indochinese piastre.
Artistry: The coin's design likely originated from the Monnaie de Paris. The obverse features a dignified left-facing bust of King Sisavang Vong, executed in a classical European portraiture style. The reverse displays the denomination '50 CENTS' and a national emblem or traditional Laotian motif, blending Western numismatic tradition with emerging national iconography for the nascent state.
Technical/Grading: Struck in aluminium (3.7g, 31mm), this Essai coin typically exhibits superior strike quality. High-points for assessment include the King's hair, ear, and facial features on the obverse, and the intricate details of any central emblem or lettering on the reverse. Essais are often produced with multiple strikes on polished planchets, yielding sharp, full details and proof-like fields. Minor contact marks can sometimes be present due to aluminium's softness.