Banknote of Banque de l'Indochine – First type – 100 piastres
Dublin Core
Title
Banknote of Banque de l'Indochine – First type – 100 piastres
Description
Obverse:
On the left side, there is a male figure standing firmly on a base. He wears a loose shirt covered with a cloak, short pants, and a necklace. His left hand holds an anchor. It is claimed to be Vasco da Gama, the first one that found the sea route connecting Europe and India from the Cape of Good Hope. His finding is remarkable since it opens the Age of Discovery for Europeans.
On the right side, another male figure stands firmly on a base next to a dragon. He wears short pants, and his left hand holds a paddle. This paddle has a long stick with an oval-shaped blade at one end. That seems to look like the paddle of Polynesian people who were also colonized by the French at that time.
In between, on the background, the vast sea with lots of sailboats are printed. The whole scene suggests the idea of European exploration of other lands.
Reverse:
There are Chinese patterns of decoration that look like the symbol of fire representing brightness and promise. Those patterns could also be swirling clouds or water waves which represent good fortune. In general, the patterns evoke the sense of the East and serendipity.
The only language that is used on the obverse is French. On the reverse, Chinese is used beside French.
The watermark of this banknote is Mercury's head. A possible explanation is that Mercury is the messenger of the gods and goddesses. He protects trade and commerce, and symbolizes communication. Therefore, his portrayal on the banknote adds up to the idea of the currency system with burgeoning exchanges.
References:
Daniel, Howard A. 1978. The Catalog and Guidebook of Southeast Asian Coins and Currency. 2nd ed. vol. 1. Portage, OH: BNR Press.
Wikipedia. 2019. “Vasco Da Gama.” Last modified February 1, 2019 (15 May 2022).
On the left side, there is a male figure standing firmly on a base. He wears a loose shirt covered with a cloak, short pants, and a necklace. His left hand holds an anchor. It is claimed to be Vasco da Gama, the first one that found the sea route connecting Europe and India from the Cape of Good Hope. His finding is remarkable since it opens the Age of Discovery for Europeans.
On the right side, another male figure stands firmly on a base next to a dragon. He wears short pants, and his left hand holds a paddle. This paddle has a long stick with an oval-shaped blade at one end. That seems to look like the paddle of Polynesian people who were also colonized by the French at that time.
In between, on the background, the vast sea with lots of sailboats are printed. The whole scene suggests the idea of European exploration of other lands.
Reverse:
There are Chinese patterns of decoration that look like the symbol of fire representing brightness and promise. Those patterns could also be swirling clouds or water waves which represent good fortune. In general, the patterns evoke the sense of the East and serendipity.
The only language that is used on the obverse is French. On the reverse, Chinese is used beside French.
The watermark of this banknote is Mercury's head. A possible explanation is that Mercury is the messenger of the gods and goddesses. He protects trade and commerce, and symbolizes communication. Therefore, his portrayal on the banknote adds up to the idea of the currency system with burgeoning exchanges.
References:
Daniel, Howard A. 1978. The Catalog and Guidebook of Southeast Asian Coins and Currency. 2nd ed. vol. 1. Portage, OH: BNR Press.
Wikipedia. 2019. “Vasco Da Gama.” Last modified February 1, 2019 (15 May 2022).
Creator
Pho Do Quyen
Rights
Photo: Art-hanoi.
Citation
Pho Do Quyen, “Banknote of Banque de l'Indochine – First type – 100 piastres,” Augustus in Saigon!?, accessed May 19, 2024, https://augustusinsaigon.uni-trier.de/items/show/127.