Banknote Billet French Indo-China 100 piastres 1945

Remarks:

1 épinglage

This 100 piastres banknote was issued in 1945 by the Banque de l'Indochine, the financial institution that held the monopoly on currency issuance across the territories of French Indochina. This is a Specimen example, belonging to series M138, making it a reference document intended for identification purposes and not for general circulation.

The central iconographic theme of this banknote is that of the Angkor temples, the monumental Khmer complex located in Cambodia, a major component of French Indochina at the time. The depiction of this exceptional architectural site, a symbol of the greatness of Khmer civilisation, was frequently used on the region's monetary issues, reflecting the cultural and political importance attached to this heritage by the French colonial authorities.

The year 1945 holds particular historical significance for French Indochina, marked by major upheavals, including the Japanese coup of 9 March 1945 which brought an end to French administration, followed by Japan's surrender in August of the same year. In this context of great political and monetary instability, the banknote issues of the Banque de l'Indochine carry an undeniable historical character.

As a specimen, this example generally displays the characteristics typical of such documents: specific notations printed on the note, zero or symbolic serial numbering, and perforations or overprints intended to prevent any fraudulent use. These specimens were distributed to banking correspondents and competent authorities to enable the authentication of banknotes in circulation. The face value of 100 piastres represented a significant denomination within the Indochinese monetary system of the era.