Coins and Banknotes of Vietnam and French Indochina

A chapter from "Prisoner of War and Concentration Camp Money of the 20th Century" is published on this site by a kind permission of its author, Lance K. Campbell.

See POW notes in our collection...

VIETNAM (INDO-CHINA)
PAPER ISSUES
POST WORLD WAR II

A number of prisoner-of-war issues were said to have been produced for the use of prisoners of war captured by the Viet Minh during the fighting in French Indo-China with the French from 1946-1954. Unfortunately these issues have proven to be fantasies. The notes were actually produced in Europe during the early 1950s by a formerly respected member of the numismatic community. Some sources indicate that the proceeds from the sale of the notes went to aid the Viet Minh.

Several types were produced. No specific camp is mentioned on any of the notes. All have a portrait of Ho Chi Minh on the face along with the denomination.

TYPE 1 This type was produced in black on heavy card stock of various colors depending on the denomination. A signature is at the lower left except for one type of 100 dong that lacks the signature. The text translates, "Vietnam, For the Captured Enemy." All measure approximately 90x78mm. Since the notes never actually circulated, most are found in about uncirculated or uncirculated condition. All are fantasies.

No.DescriptionVGVFUnc
90251/4 dong, green--15
90261/2 dong, gray--15
90271 dong, gray--15
90285 dong, tan--15
902910 dong, gray--15
903020 dong, lilac--15
903150 dong, green--15
9032100 dong, purple
a. with signature--15
b. no signature--15
9033500 dong, white--15

TYPE 2 Type 2 is similar to type 1 except that the notes have a broad diagonal stripe that bisects the vignette on the face. Additionally, they lack a signature. The majority of the notes were printed on heavy card stock. Some were printed on light card stock. In the listing below the color of the note is followed by the color of the stripe. All measure approximately 90x78mm. Notes are normally found in about uncirculated or uncirculated condition. All are fantasies.

No.DescriptionVGVFUnc
90441/20 dong, green/red--15
90451/10 dong, green/violet--15
90461/4 dong, green/blue--15
90471/2 dong
a. green/green--15
b. tan/green--15
c. light brown/green--15
90481 dong, green/yellow--15
90495 dong
a. heavy card stock,
gray/red
--15
b. paper, gray/red--15
905010 dong
a. heavy card stock,
gray/violet
--15
b. paper, gray/violet--15
905120 dong, gray/blue--15
905250 dong
a. heavy card stock,
gray/green
--15
b. paper, gray/green--15
9053100 dong
a. heavy card stock,
gray/yellow
--15
b. paper, gray/yellow--15
9054250 dong, gray/violet--15

TYPE 3 Type 3 is of a similar size and has a vignette to types 1 and 2. The major difference is than the vignette is considerably smaller (45x3lmm) and border is much larger. Additionally, this type lacks a signature and the diagonal stripe. Notes are approximately 90x78mm. Notes are normally found in uncirculated or uncirculated condition. All are fantasies.

No.DescriptionVGVFUnc
90651 dong
a. gray--18
b. yellow--18
c. white--18
d. violet--18
90662 dong, violet--18
90675 dong
a. gray
(1) bust on right--18
(2) bust on left--18
b. violet--18
c. yellow--18
906810 dong
a. gray--18
b. cream--18
c. violet--18
906920 dong, violet--18
907025 dong
a. gray--18
b. yellow--18
907150 dong
a. gray--18
b. tan--18
c. violet--18
9072100 dong
a. gray--18
b. violet--18
9073200 dong, gray--18
9074500 dong
a. cream--18
b. green--18
c. violet--18

TYPE 4 Similar to type 3 but with the excess border cut away. All measure approximately 55x40. All are made of paper. The numerical value is printed In red. Notes are normally found in about uncirculated or uncirculated condition. All are fantasies.

No.DescriptionVGVFUnc
90785 dong, green on tan--18
908025 dong--18

TYPE 5 This type, also a fantasy, is of a different design than the previous type. These notes were overprinted on pages from books containing Chinese characters. The Chinese characters can still be clearly seen in the background. Printed on thin paper, they have a portrait of Ho Chi Minh and a hammer and sickle, as well as the denomination written in Chinese. On the highest denomination, the 500-dong note, a dragon is present instead of the hammer and sickle. Most notes are found In about uncirculated or uncirculated condition although some have been mishandled.

No.DescriptionVGVFUnc
90851 dong--15
90862 dong--15
90875 dong--15
908810 dong--15
908950 dong--15
9090100 dong--15
9091500 dong--15

TYPE 6 Another fantasy issue of a different design. Pieces of pages from Chinese books were cut to an approximate size of 55x3Omm and overprinted with a portrait of Ho Chi Minh on the face and their value, in Chinese characters, on the back. All are paper and printed in black ink. No text other than the denomination. Most notes are found in about uncirculated or uncirculated condition although some have been mishandled.

No.DescriptionVGVFUnc
90951 dong--30
90965 dong--30
909710 dong--30

 

SOUTH VIETNAM

A number of genuine South Vietnamese notes were overprinted with a statement indicating their use by prisoners of war (Viet Cong or North Vietnamese) captured by Republic of Vietnam forces. While the basic notes are genuine, there is some doubt as to whether or not the overprinted notes actually circulated in prisonerof-war camps. However, evidence has recently surfaced to add credence to their validity. Several different overprints have been reported.

Type 1. PHIEU TU BINH (on first line, 51mm)
CHI-NHANH SAIGON (on second line, 35mm)
VIET-NAM CONG-HOA (on third line, 39mm)

Type 2. PHIEU TU BINH (on first line, 48mm)
CHI-NHANH SAIGON (on second line, 45mm)
VIET NAM CONG HOA (on third line, 42mm)

Type 3. TU BINH

Type 4. PHIEU TU BINH

Type 5. TU BINH SAIGON

No.DescriptionVGVFUnc
91101 dong
a. type 4 overstarnp on P1-5085
b. type 1 overstarnp on P11-5085
91112 dong
a. type 1 overstarnp on P12-5085
b. type 2 overstarnp on P12---
91125 dong
a. type 1 overstarnp on P13---
b. type 2 overstarnp on P13---
b. type 5 overstarnp on P2-5085
911310 dong
a. type 1 overstarnp on P5-60100
b. type 3 overstarnp on P5-75120