Description

French Indochina (1887–1954), was a grouping of French colonial territories in Southeast Asia. A grouping of the three Vietnamese regions of Tonkin (north), Annam (centre), and Cochinchina (south) with Cambodia was formed in 1887. Laos was added in 1893 and the leased Chinese territory of Guangzhouwan in 1898.

Engraver: Henri-Auguste Pate.

Obverse

Above central hole; female bust (laureate head) facing left, wearing garland in hair. Both sides of hole cornucopia, with lettered ribbon over joined bases.

The cornucopia (from Latin cornu copiae) or horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers or nuts.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité, French for "liberty, equality, fraternity", is the national motto of France.

RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE
LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ
A.PATEY

Reverse

Numeral above central hole, denomination below. Wreath of two rice branches either side of hole, with joined bases. Date at bottom.

Bottom-left cornucopia (the logo of the Paris Mint). Bottom-right a wing (privy mark of Lucien Georges Bazor, Chief Engraver at the Paris Mint from 1930 to 1958).

INDOCHINE FRANÇAISE
5 CENT.
1938

Edge

5 Centimes

Thin planchet
KM# 18.1a
Characteristics
Material Nickel Brass
Weight 4 g
Diameter 24 mm
Thickness 1.3 mm
Shape round with a center hole
Alignment Coin
Mint
Paris Mint (A)

Related coins

Thick planchet

Cupronickel, 5.2 g, ⌀ 24 mm