I am trying to establish if these are fake or not, my mother got them from her grandfather over 30 years ago in vietnam I have no knowledge on coins and counterfeiting, were counterfeits in circluation back then? p.s yes they are not in good condition, have been scrubbed a lot. I guess the value to be its intrinsic silver content i.e. 27g x 0.9? They both make very satisfying long pinging noise when struck, though both have a slight different sound
Aloha Lady SilverQueen, Be advised that counterfeiting coins goes way back to the beginning. Probably to the eighth day, after the seventh day of rest. It is the second oldest profession and was needed to help pay for the first oldest profession. Your two coins bracket mine, a 1907, that I know is genuine. From the photographs [not exactly the best], yours appear to be as genuine as mine - detail is all there, in correct proportions and wear from circulation is appropriate. I'm not alarmed by what is shown, just disappointed by the evidence of harsh cleaning your coins have suffered. The French colony of Indochina was comprised of the modern nations of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Therefore, you have what amounts to a French Colonial Trade Dollar [notice the words Piastre De Commerce]. Piastre is The Vietnamese word for their dollar. The coin was minted from 1885 to 1928 and was intended to compete with silver dollar size coins produced by other nations doing commerce in Asia. I have seen those that bear chop marks, proof that they were widely circulated. Known as the French Silver Piastre, the coin features Marianne, the French Lady Liberty, seated on a throne and holding a fasces in her right hand. In this instance, the fasces is a bundle of rods, secured around a spear, and symbolizes her badge of authority and that she is prepared to defend her territory. Above her feet are bundles of rice, indicating fertility of the land [rice being the staple crop]. Notice that the seven points on her crown match those on our Statue of Liberty Even though she is at rest, the flowing lines of her robes suggest noble grace. What amuses me most about this coin is the unexplained arrowhead, seen between the 4 to 5 o'clock position. It almost appears to be the outer end of the Devil's tail. Have no idea what it symbolizes or why it is shown. You have mentioned three generations, including yourself. These coins are now a legitimate portion of your family history. You have something solid to be appreciated and to pass along to subsequent generations. You know how good they feel in your hand [their heft] and how good [satisfying] they sound [only big silver does that]. Keep them in your jewelry box and whenever your heart is troubled, use them as your comfort coins. Hold them, rub them together, smile at them and recall fond memories of your mother and grandpa. I do the same thing, but with wrenches. My jewelry box is a tool box. A guy thing.
