French Union 1 Piastre coin (1947)
Dublin Core
Title
French Union 1 Piastre coin (1947)
Description
This coin was issued in 1947 by the French Union. The French Union was established under the Fourth Republic. Its purpose was to continue justify their occupation of Indochina, only this time they would not consider the region as their "colonies" anymore, but rather, they would recognize Indochina as overseas departments, which would become part of the French Union.
On the obverse of the coin is a depiction of Marianne, wearing the Phrygian cap. Along the edge of the coin is written UNION FRANCAISE ("French Union") and the year 1947 is printed in the middle, at the bottom half of the coin.
On the reverse, a wheat grain plant is depicted, under the value of the coin which is 1 Piastre. Along the edge of the coin is written FÉDÉRATION INDOCHINOISE, translated as "Indochinese Federation", the particular name of the union in the former colony Indochina.
The wheat grain was associated with French perhaps because its product – bread – is considered a staple food in France. The shortage of grains to make bread was attributed as one of the causes that ignited the French Revolution. Consequently, the French used the wheat grain plant to represent themselves and their presence in the colonies.
References:
Wikipedia. 2022. "French Union." Last modified May 14, 2022 (16 May 2022).
Mcilvenna, Una. 2019. "How Bread Shortages Helped Ignite the French Revolution." History. Last modified September 30, 2019 (16 May 2022).
On the obverse of the coin is a depiction of Marianne, wearing the Phrygian cap. Along the edge of the coin is written UNION FRANCAISE ("French Union") and the year 1947 is printed in the middle, at the bottom half of the coin.
On the reverse, a wheat grain plant is depicted, under the value of the coin which is 1 Piastre. Along the edge of the coin is written FÉDÉRATION INDOCHINOISE, translated as "Indochinese Federation", the particular name of the union in the former colony Indochina.
The wheat grain was associated with French perhaps because its product – bread – is considered a staple food in France. The shortage of grains to make bread was attributed as one of the causes that ignited the French Revolution. Consequently, the French used the wheat grain plant to represent themselves and their presence in the colonies.
References:
Wikipedia. 2022. "French Union." Last modified May 14, 2022 (16 May 2022).
Mcilvenna, Una. 2019. "How Bread Shortages Helped Ignite the French Revolution." History. Last modified September 30, 2019 (16 May 2022).
Creator
Nguyen Ngoc Lien
Citation
Nguyen Ngoc Lien, “French Union 1 Piastre coin (1947),” Augustus in Saigon!?, accessed May 19, 2024, https://augustusinsaigon.uni-trier.de/items/show/212.