Tael (1943-1944)
The 1 Tael and ½ Tael silver coins from French Indochina were minted between 1943 and 1944 under Vichy French administration in Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Purpose: They were ordered by the French Customs and Finance Administration specifically to purchase opium in Laos, Tonkin, and Yunnan, China.
- Composition: 900-fine silver (.900).
- 1 Tael Specifications: Weighs approximately 37.4 g to 38 g, with a diameter of about 40–41 mm and a thickness of 7 mm.
- ½ Tael Specifications: Weighs 18.8 g with a diameter of 34.7 mm.
- Designs:
- Engraved by René Mercier.
- Features variations such as a small deer head or the Chinese character "Fu" (wealth) on the obverse, with Chinese and Lao denominations on the reverse ("One Liang/Bya", "Guaranteed Silver").
- Demonetized and considered rare numismatic collector items today.