Moneta's Temple and Gallery

S. Vietnam - 50 Dong 1975 - RARE!

Moneta — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 18:43:35 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: I ran across this photo of a very rare coin of the State of South Vietnam. This 50 Dong piece of 1975 was made in large numbers (>1 M), but all but a few were melted. I hope to update the hammer price but with 2 days to go it's at better than $3k. This would be the obstacle in attempting to assemble a complete type set of this short lived political state, all the other coins are obtainable.

VietNam - 20 Xu 1953 - 3 Graces in Profile

Moneta — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 20:31:08 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: The spectacular accompaniment to the to the even more wonderful 50 Xu piece of 1953. See that here in the Museum also. The three denominations and the three ladies represent 3 major ethnic groups in Vietnam. This issue is from the Democratic State of South Vietnam. 15M struck in Paris.

VietNam - 1 Dong 1976

Moneta — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 20:01:19 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: One year (dated) striking of the first year of the Socialist Republic. While the USA forces withdrew in 1973 the fighting between North and South Vietnam soon resumed. The defeat of the South occurred in April 1975 and the Socialist Republic was declared on July 2, 1976.

Vietnam - 50 Xu 1953 3 Asian Graces

Moneta — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 19:38:51 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: State of South Vietnam. This 50 Xu and the side portrait 20 Xu make a lovely pair depicting, what I assume is, women from three different ethnic or tribal groups. A rare theme that evokes the Three Graces of Roman antiquity. OB legend: "QUOC-GIA VIET-NAM". Made of an aluminum - magnesium alloy that was supposed to originate from scrapped aircraft, but I need to confirm this.

French Indo-China Sapeque 1901

Moneta — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 20:07:40 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Encasement label states 2 Sapeque, my old KM only shows it as a Sapeque, but the "2" character on the reverse indicates the label is right.

Vietnam - 5 Xu 1975 People's Revolutionary Gov't

Moneta — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:32:43 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: These are interesting because they were minted for one year during a transitory phase in Vietnam. While issued under the 'State of South Vietnam' they are actually a product of the 'People's Revolutionary Government'. This brief period, before the 'Socialist Republic' was proclaimed in 1976, saw this issue only struck in 1975 and are without dates. I like the bird - it's like they've been overflown so long with F-4's they now depict birds as jets! Anyway, in my never-to-be-humble opinion the war in Vietnam, for all the reasons involved, saw a defeat for the USA which set us on a downward path from which we have yet to recover.

Vietnam 1945 20 Xu

Moneta — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:41:37 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: This is one that got away! I was willing to go to ~$600 at the Heritage Auction [8 Feb 2013] but I knew it would go higher - and it did - this extraordinary specimen went for $1939! I might have seen a finer one at a French sale, one without some of the die cracks and/or metal folds, and I remember it went for around $500 and not that long ago. A great and historical piece, and a good investment, if you can find one. North Vietnam - Independent Communist State

Vietnam, Rep. of - 20 Dong

Moneta — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:13:22 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: South Vietnam. Here's the first variety, it's not listed as F.A.O. and the legend varies from KM 11. I like these rice paddy scenes. Could this design be used as a Ceres/Folk Maiden type even though it's Asian, where the western motif is not known to exist?

Vietnam, Rep. of - 20 Dong

Moneta — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:08:09 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: South Vietnam - there are two varieties issued for the same year [1968] - this one is listed as an F.A.O. issue, the other is not. Also the obverse legend is different. Please let me know the different meanings. 500k minted.

Vietnam, Rep. of [South] 1 Dong

Moneta — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:57:24 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: F.A.O. series 1971. It appears the legend in KM is wrong - here the Rx uses the word 'XUAT' and not the word 'NUAT' as shown in my old KM. Let me know if I have a rare variety worth thousands!

S Vietnam - 10 Dong 1974

Moneta — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 16:11:11 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: I like this series of the fairly short lived Republic of Viet nam [South Vietnam], showing the hard work of the rice paddy. 30 M minted. Part of the F.A.O. series.

Fr. Indo-China

Moneta — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 18:26:37 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Encompassing most of what is today Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, this French colony was very influential in the region. The design is interesting in that is shows a figure of Liberty or of France holding a protective cover over female representing S.E. Asia. Too bad their protective cloak as not always benevolent or protective. France began its consolidation of its position in Southeast Asia with the takeover of Cochin China in 1862. In subsequent years, Cambodia, Annam, Tonkin and Laos were acquired and formed French Indochina. French Indochina came to an end in 1954. The obverse has two female allegorical figures in the field with 1 CENT below the hole. REPUBLIQUE is at the left and FRANÇAISE at the right. The Paris mintmark, A, is at the bottom. The reverse has four Chinese characters in the field with INDO • CHINE FRANÇAISE • 1899 • on the perimeter.

VIETNAM (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC)~5 Hao Incused 1946

Zantetsuken — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:43:05 -0400

by: Zantetsuken

SOUTH VIETNAM (TRANSITIONAL)~2 Xu 1975

Zantetsuken — Sat, 12 May 2012 06:17:47 -0400

by: Zantetsuken

Description: Issued following the fall of the Saigon government to North Vietnam, and before official unification of the two nations.

VIETNAM (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC)~2 Dong 1946

Zantetsuken — Sat, 12 May 2012 06:12:16 -0400

by: Zantetsuken

2 comments

Cochin China - Vietnam

Moneta — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:36:23 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: This is an example of the second issue of the Sapeque of French Cochin China. Struck in Paris in 1879 it replaced a temporary issue composed of a 1 Centime of France (Y#41) with a center hole punch from the mint at Bordeaux. A literal reading of the reverse would seem to indicate 2/1000 for the denomination which has been interpreted as 2 Sapeque, this is incorrect, it's a 1 Sapeque piece that replaced the smaller center punched Sapeque of 1875 (K).

Vietnam - Tonkin

Moneta — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:35:56 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Former French Protectorate with the capital in Hanoi. The French used the area for access to the Yunnan Province in China. This example only has a slight discoloration due to zinc corrosion, the scanner highlights this and makes it appear worse. I'm sure this is the regular issue that's about .9mm thick.

Vietnam 20 Xu 1945

Moneta — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:40:54 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Here's a great finer example of this RARE coin and the first issue of Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh. This independent country was not proclaimed until Sept. 2, 1945 - giving little time to issue these. Rarely found in better condition. The edge has a dimple running the circumference (like many of this series), reeding is present but spotty in places. Beware those that have been cleaned to remove AL corrosion. This one has plenty of lusterous original surfaces, much better in hand! I have others here, one not so nice, and a BU that sold at Heritage [Feb 2013] for $1939! The USA's encounter with Uncle Ho can be argued to have set the nation on a downward course ever since.

Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh - 2 Dong

Moneta — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 18:53:08 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: 2 Dong with prtrait of Uncle Ho, Uncirculated. OB: 3/4 facing portrait of Ho Chi Minh with the legend "CHU TICH HO CHI MINH". RX: value above and below star in wreath with "NAM II" below. Outside the wreath is the legend: "VIET DAM DAN CHU CONG HAO." Planchet edge has pits due to the crude punching out process and the reeding is crude and incomplete. A photo of this is specimen is featured on the PCGS site at this https://images.pcgs.com/CoinFacts/37311309_167788440_max.jpg KM (Krause/Mishler 'Standard Catalog of World Coins') says that these are found in varieties - I would welcome a Museum project to document as many of these varieties as we can - anyone game?

Vietnam 2 Dong

Moneta — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 18:43:38 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: This one is remarkable for the smooth glossy surfaces that must be very rare from all of the others I have seen. Even my Unc. example is not this nice. Interesting 'bandito' mask toning. OB: 3/4 facing portrait of Ho Chi Minh with the legend "CHU TICH HO CHI MINH". RX: value above and below star in wreath with "NAM II" below. Outside the wreath is the legend: "VIET DAM DAN CHU CONG HAO." Planchet edge has pits due to the crude puching out process and the reeding is crude and incomplete. KM (Krause/Mishler 'Standard Catalog of World Coins') says that these are found in varieties - I would welcome a Museum project to document as many of these varieties as we can - anyone game?

VietNam 1 Dong

Moneta — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 18:20:48 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: This is one of the 'new crop' that are said to have been recently found in a vault. Like this one they are all in comparitively great condition (AU - UNC). Most have heavy flow marks and tiny dimples. I see evidence of re-tooling, rusty dies, etc. Personally, I'm suspicious that these are fakes or some kind of restrike, authorized or not. I have no evidence it's just that these used to be very scarce and now they are not, plus the features noted above. They all have thin lettering and rims and weigh .1 gram more. I have 3 others in the Museum, 2 are like this and the other is a better example of the type I am more sure of. Please comment!

Vietnam 1 Dong 1946 - Ho Chi Minh

Moneta — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 18:04:08 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Once very scarce, in recent years more and better conditioned examples have appeared on the market. See an example in the Museum. This one is pedigreed from the Daniel K.E. Ching Sale of 06/1991 (Lot#1366) and was part of his collection. Scott Semans described it as "VF-XF with light, uniform spotting and pits. Still a superior example." Engravers name is below bust "H. NGOC". A notable feature is a very robust rim, which the 'new' ones do not seem to have. I'm prepared to say that the shiny ones you run across on the market have been cleaned harshly enough to remove the always present aluminum disease and the designers name along with it. This has original surfaces. The other example here has probably been cleaned.

Vietnam 1 Dong Fantasy

Moneta — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 17:32:27 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Acquistion on a whim. It's from the Socialist Republic of VietNam with first strikes in 1976. It follows the same very general design of KM14 of 1976 (also struck in silver as a pattern, Pn2). The Man that wrote the book(s) on Vietnam, H. Daniel III, tells me it's a 'Fantasy' strike; obviously their fantasy was on a low order. Not in any book that I know of yet but probably in Mr. Daniels'.

Vietnam 5 Hao cameo 1946

Moneta — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 17:16:58 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Rare issue that is not incuse and like KM shows no corrosion (hmm!). There is some disturbance in the field but I would tend to call this a cameo proof-like. With the rarity I would go so far as to call these presentation pieces, some have called them patterns and that's probably close to the truth. Known to have been struck in China. Nicely reeded all around. Howard Daniel III believes the raised 5 Hao dated 1946 were minted in Shanghai (or another Chinese mint) by the Chinese Communists for Hanoi in the mid to late 1950s and they were used by the Vietnamese Communists as presentation coins (see below a 2nd version of the story); they retained the date 1946. Not all of them might have been shipped to VietNam. It is very possible the excess were found at the mint and are being disposed of into the numismatic marketplace, but that's wild speculation. That might mean all of the early North Vietnamese coins were struck in China. The following from Bob Reis's web site: NORTH VIETNAM, 5 Hao, 1946, Reverse: relief “HAO,” aluminum, presentation issue struck by Shanghai mint in 1950s, KM2.2, the hairlines are from planchet polishing, not cleaning, BU. The story attached to this version of the coin is that they were struck for presentation to Vietnamese officials during a visit to China. Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam independent from France in 1945. Nine years of war ensued, but finally the French left. There was supposed to be a plebiscite about the future but the south, which was run by a French puppet government, refused to participate. Another twenty years of war, involving the USA, until 1975, when unification was attained.

2 comments

Vietnam 5 Hao Incuse

Moneta — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 17:09:29 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: This is the normal incuse version with sunken '5'. Like all in this series the legend is "VIET NAM DAN-CHU CONG HOA." Like most of these ALUM. pieces in this series you are going to get some corrosion (see notes on the 1 Dong). Reverse shows a ceremonial pot with a dog on the lid. This coin is only reeded on half of the edge for the full circumference. There are 3 other examples in the Museum that show various states of die rotation and problems with reeding. One, in AU is weakly struck in the center w/ the lower part of the '5' blending with the star and the rectangle on the body of the pot is missing. They are not pictured here so ask about them if you need photos.

Vietnam 20 Xu

Moneta — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 16:51:25 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Scarce coin and the first issue of Communist Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh. This independent country was not proclaimed until Sept. 2, 1945 - giving little time to issue these. Rarely found in better condition. The edge has a channel running the circumference (like many of this series), reeding is present but spotty in places. Beware those that have been cleaned to remove AL corrosion.

Moneta's Temple and Gallery

S. Vietnam - 50 Dong 1975 - RARE!

VietNam - 20 Xu 1953 - 3 Graces in Profile

VietNam - 1 Dong 1976

Vietnam - 50 Xu 1953 3 Asian Graces

French Indo-China Sapeque 1901

Vietnam - 5 Xu 1975 People's Revolutionary Gov't

Vietnam 1945 20 Xu

Vietnam, Rep. of - 20 Dong

Vietnam, Rep. of - 20 Dong

Vietnam, Rep. of [South] 1 Dong

S Vietnam - 10 Dong 1974

Fr. Indo-China

VIETNAM (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC)~5 Hao *Incused* 1946

SOUTH VIETNAM (TRANSITIONAL)~2 Xu 1975

VIETNAM (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC)~2 Dong 1946

Cochin China - Vietnam

Vietnam - Tonkin

Vietnam 20 Xu 1945

Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh - 2 Dong

Vietnam 2 Dong

VietNam 1 Dong

Vietnam 1 Dong 1946 - Ho Chi Minh

Vietnam 1 Dong Fantasy

Vietnam 5 Hao cameo 1946

Vietnam 5 Hao Incuse

Vietnam 20 Xu

VIETNAM (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC)~5 Hao Incused 1946