Banque de l'Indochine

The Banque de l'Indochine was founded in 1875, and initially operated in China, Saigon (Vietnam), French India and Cochinchina (Vietnam). The bank expanded over the years to include Tonkin (Vietnam), Haiphong (Vietnam), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Tahiti and Singapore. A branch was even opened in Djibouti. Banque de l'Indochine branches were eventually closed or acquired by other banks starting in the 1940's. Virtually all banknotes were provided by Banque de France, denominated in Francs or Piastres.

French India
B101 (
  • KM301
  • P-A1
) 10 Roupies
Purple, black.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/8/1877
(F)
French India
B102 (
  • KM302
  • P-A2
) 50 Roupies
Purple, brown.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 9/2/1884
(F)
French India
B103 (
  • KM303
  • P-A3
) 50 Roupies
Purple, brown.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 9/10/1898
(F)
French India
B104 (
  • KM304
  • P-1
) 50 Roupies
Purple, brown.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 2/22/1902
(F)
French India
B105 (
  • KM305
  • P-2
) 10 Roupies
Purple, black.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1919
(F)
French India
B106 (
  • P-3
) 50 Roupies
Purple, brown.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 6/17/1915
(F)
French India
KM308 1 Roupie Marianne de Walhain
Orange, Blue.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1923-1945

(F)
French India
B108 (
  • KM309
  • P-5
) 5 Roupie Woman holding lance, ancient statues
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1937)
(F)
French India
B109 (
  • KM310
  • P-7
) 50 Roupie Dupleix
Incense Burner; Bust of Joseph-François Dupleix
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1936)
(F)
French Indochina
B119 (
  • KM131
  • P-37
) 5 Piastres Haiphong issue
Green, Brown. Ships; Dragon, Chinese text
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1909-1924
  • 180 x 94mm
  • Buff paper

(F)
French Indochina
B122 (
  • KM135
  • P-17
) 20 Piastres Haiphong Issue
Green, brown. Seated Allegorical Woman, two Native Women; Two Dragons, Chinese text
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1910
  • 206 x 118mm
  • Sig 4,5

(F)
French Indochina
B124 (
  • KM140
  • P-18
) 100 Piastres Haiphong Issue
Green, brown. Allegorical Woman (France) Standing with Asian Man; Chinese text and Dragon
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1911
  • 212 x 142mm

(F)
(B)
French Indochina
B126 (
  • KM133
  • P-19
) 5 Piastres Haiphong issue
Green, Brown. Ships; Dragon, Chinese text
  • Printer: BdF
  • 5/27/1920
  • 180 x 94mm
  • Buff paper
  • Sig 5

(F)
French Indochina
B114 (
  • KM125
  • P-34
) 1 Piastre
Red-brown. Seated East Asian Woman and Allegorical Woman (France); Chinese text
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1891-1909
  • 141 x 106mm
(F)
French Indochina
B119 (
  • KM131
  • P-37
) 5 Piastres Saigon Issue
Purple, black. Ships; Dragon, Chinese text
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1909-1924
  • 180 x 94mm
(F)
French Indochina
B121 (
  • KM134
  • P-38
) 20 Piastres Saigon Issue
Purple, black. Seated Allegorical Woman, two Native Women; Two Dragons, Chinese text
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1917
  • 206 x 118mm
(F)
French Indochina
B123 (
  • KM137
  • P-39
) 100 Piastres Saigon Issue
Purple, brown. Allegorical Woman (France) Standing with Asian Man; Chinese text and Dragon
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1911
  • 212 x 142mm
(F)
(B)
B125 face
B125 face
French Indochina
B125 (
  • KM132
  • P-40
) 5 Piastres Saigon Issue
Purple, black. Ships; Dragon, Chinese text
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/28/1920
  • 180 x 94mm
  • Buff paper
  • Sig 3

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
French Indochina
B127 (
  • KM136
  • P-41
) 20 Piastres Saigon Issue
Purple, black. Seated Allegorical Woman, two Native Women; Two Dragons, Chinese text
  • Printer: BdF
  • 8/1/1920
  • 206 x 118mm

(F)
French Indochina
B128 (
  • KM139
  • P-42
) 100 Piastres Saigon Issue
Purple, brown. Allegorical Woman (France) Standing with Asian Man; Chinese text and Dragon
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1920
  • 212 x 142mm

(F)
(B)
French Indochina
B124 (
  • KM140
  • P-18
) 100 Piastres Haiphong Issue
Green, brown. Allegorical Woman (France) Standing with Asian Man; Chinese text and Dragon
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1911
  • 212 x 142mm

(F)
(B)
French Indochina
B130 (
  • KM187
  • P-43
) 10 Centimes Pagoda Gate
Blue.
  • Printer: Chaix, Paris
  • 10/6/1919
  • 84 x 56mm
(F)
French Indochina
B131 (
  • KM188
  • P-44
) 10 Centimes Pagoda Gate
Blue.
  • Printer: Chaix, Paris
  • 10/6/1919
  • 84 x 56mm
(F)
French Indochina
B132 (
  • KM189
  • P-45
) 20 Centimes Pagoda Gate
Purple and yellow.
  • Printer: Chaix, Paris
  • 10/6/1919
  • 93 x 59mm
(F)
French Indochina
B133 (
  • KM190
  • P-46
) 50 Centimes Pagoda Gate
Red and brown.
  • Printer: Chaix, Paris
  • 10/6/1919
  • 101 x 67mm
(F)
French Indochina
B134 (
  • KM191
  • P-47
) 50 Centimes Pagoda Gate
Blue.
  • Printer: Chaix, Paris
  • 10/6/1919
  • 101 x 67mm
(F)
B135b face
B135b face
French Indochina
B135b (
  • KM141b
  • P-48b
) 1 Piastre Marianne de Walhain
Brown, Blue on Tan.
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1927-31)
  • 149 x 93mm
  • Sig 5

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
B136b face
B136b face
French Indochina
B136b (
  • KM146b
  • P-49b
) 5 Piastres Woman
Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1926)
  • 180 x 90mm
  • Buff paper

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
French Indochina
B137 (
  • KM151
  • P-50
) 20 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1928)
  • 207 x 119mm

(F)
B138d face
B138d face
French Indochina
B138d (
  • KM154d
  • P-51d
) 100 Piastre Dupleix
Incense Burner; Bust of Joseph-François Dupleix
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1936-39)
  • 214 x 146mm
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head
(F)
French Indochina
B139 (
  • KM142
  • P-52
) 1 Piastre Local Woman, Emperor Minh Mang Royal Tomb
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1932)
  • 127 x 80mm
  • Sig 6
  • Text and Denomination in Blue. Series A.1-W.680
  • No Lao text on back

  • Watermark: Mercury
(F)
French Indochina
B140a (
  • KM147
  • P-53a
) 5 Piastre Helmeted woman
Ruins of Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1946)
  • 140 x 90mm
  • Sig 9b
(F)
B141a face
B141a face
French Indochina
B141a (
  • KM143a
  • P-54a
) 1 Piastre Local Woman, Emperor Minh Mang Royal Tomb
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1932)
  • 127 x 80mm
  • Sig 6
  • Text in Blue, Denomination Red
  • Old Lao text on back, dot under "MÔT" on back

  • Watermark: Mercury

(F)
B142b face
B142b face
French Indochina
B142b (
  • KM148b
  • P-55b
) 5 Piastre Helmeted woman
Ruins of Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1936)
  • 140 x 90mm
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Mercury

(F)
B143b face
B143b face
French Indochina
B143b (
  • KM152b
  • P-56b
) 20 Piastres Athena with Oak Crown
Khmer Temple
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1936-39)
  • 160 x 85mm
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Mercury
(F)
(B)
B144 face
B144 face
French Indochina
B144 (
  • KM157
  • P-57
) 500 Piastre Education: Woman, Child & Globe
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1939-)
  • 190 x 103mm
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Mercury
(F)
(B)
B165a face
B165a face
French Indochina
B165a (
  • KM153
  • P-81a
) 20 Piastre Athena with Oak Crown
Khmer Temple
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1949)
  • 160 x 85mm
  • Sig 9b

  • Watermark: Mercury
(F)
(B)
B166b face
B166b face
French Indochina
B166b (
  • KM156
  • P-82b
) 100 Piastre Mercury
Elephants
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1949-54)
  • 175 x 89mm
  • Sig 9b
  • New Lao text

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head
(F)
(B)
B144 face
B144 face
French Indochina
B144 (
  • KM157
  • P-57
) 500 Piastre Woman and Child examining Globe
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1939-)
  • 190 x 103mm
  • Sig 7
(F)
(B)
French Indochina
B168 (
  • KM160
  • P-84
) 1000 Piastre Elephant and Water Buffaloes
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1951)
  • 207 x 112mm
  • Specimen only
(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B107a (
  • KM606
  • P-5a
) 100 Francs Elephant Columns
Red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/2/1920
  • Sig 1
  • without 'Décrets' text at top center
(F)
B108d face
B108d face
French Somaliland
B108d (
  • KM608d
  • P-6b
) 5 Francs Marianne de Walhain
Blue, Red on Yellow.
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1927)
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
French Somaliland
B109a (
  • KM610a
  • P-7a
) 20 Francs Woman
Maroon, Tan. Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (2/26/1936)
  • Sig 4

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
B110a face
B110a face
French Somaliland
B110a (
  • KM611
  • P-7A
) 20 Francs
Multicolor, denomination in red. Woman; Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1941)
  • Sig 7

  • Microprint
  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B111 (
  • KM612
  • P-7B
) 20 Francs Woman, Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
B112as face
B112as face
French Somaliland
B112as (
  • KM613
  • P-8s
) 100 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1928-1938)
  • Sig 7
  • Specimen

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
French Somaliland
B113s (
  • KM614
  • P-8A
) 100 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1928-1938)
  • Sig 7
  • Red background behind numerals

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
B114b face
B114b face
French Somaliland
B114b (
  • KM616b
  • P-9b
) 500 Francs Allegory of France
France and Local Woman, Ships
  • Printer: BdF
  • 3/8/1938
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Head of Polynesian woman

(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B115a (
  • KM617
  • P-10
) 1000 Francs Woman at Marketplace
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1943)
  • Sig 7

(F)
French Somaliland
B116 (
  • KM618
  • P-10A
) 1000 Francs Woman at Marketplace
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1943)
  • Sig 7
  • Specimen. Red background behind numerals

(F)
B117a face
B117a face
French Somaliland
B117a (
  • KM624
  • P-11
) 5 Francs Marianne de Walhain, with Free France overprint
Blue, Red on Yellow.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/1/1943
  • Sig 7
  • Series 63-74

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
French Somaliland
B117.5 20 Francs
Woman; Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1943)
  • Series 14

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B118 (
  • KM625
  • P-12
) 20 Francs
Woman; Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1943)
  • Series U.23-Y.23

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B119 (
  • KM620
  • P-12A
) 20 Francs
Woman; Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1943)
  • Series F.24-U.26

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B120 (
  • KM626
  • P-13
) 100 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1928-1938)
  • Sig 7
  • Series 8,10

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
French Somaliland
B121 (
  • KM621
  • P-13A
) 100 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1928-1938)
  • Sig 7
  • Series A.9-W.9

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
French Somaliland
B122 (
  • KM627
  • P-13B
) 500 Francs Allegory of France
France and Local Woman, Ships
  • Printer: BdF
  • 3/8/1938
  • Sig 7
  • Series A.4

(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B123 (
  • KM622
  • P-13C
) 500 Francs Allegory of France
France and Local Woman, Ships
  • Printer: BdF
  • 3/8/1938
  • Sig 7
  • Series S.2-Z.2

(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B124 (
  • KM623
  • P-13D
) 1000 Francs Woman at Marketplace
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1963)
  • Sig 11
  • Series A.3-K.3

  • Watermark

(F)
French Somaliland
B125 (
  • KM628
  • P-13E
) 1000 Francs Woman at Marketplace
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1963)
  • Sig 11
  • Series 3

  • Watermark

(F)
B131a face
B131a face
French Somaliland
B131a (
  • KM609
  • P-19
) 10 Francs Camel caravan
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1946)
  • Sig 9c

  • Watermark: Mercury
(F)
(B)
French Somaliland
B132a (
  • KM615
  • P-19A
) 100 Francs Woman, Farmer and Ox
  • Printer: BdF

  • Watermark: Head of Mercury
(F)
French Somaliland
B133a (
  • KM619
  • P-20
) 1000 Francs Woman Holding Jug
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1947)
  • Sig 9b
  • Series 2-8

(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B301a (
  • KM402
  • P-11
) 20 Francs Neptune
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (6/14/1888)
  • 180 x 92mm
(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B302a (
  • KM406
  • P-12
) 100 Francs Reclining Women
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/15/1895
  • 200 x 115mm
(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B303a (
  • KM410
  • P-13
) 500 Francs Standing Men
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 7/1/1898
  • 214 x 145mm
(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B304a (
  • P-14
) 20 Francs Neptune
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 3/3/1902
  • 180 x 92mm
(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B305a (
  • KM400
  • P-15
) 5 Francs Allegorical Woman with Caduceus
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1916
  • 141 x 106mm
(F+B)
(F)
New Caledonia
B306a (
  • KM404
  • P-16
) 20 Francs Neptune
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 5/7/1910
  • 180 x 92mm
(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B307a (
  • KM408
  • P-17
) 100 Francs Reclining Women
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1914
  • 200 x 115mm
(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B308a (
  • KM401
  • P-19
) 5 Francs Allegorical Woman with Caduceus
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1924
  • 141 x 106mm
(F+B)
(F)
New Caledonia
B308a (
  • KM401
  • P-19
) 20 Francs Neptune
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1924
  • 182 x 92mm
(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B310a (
  • KM411
  • P-22
) 500 Francs Standing Men
Blue, red.
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/3/1921
  • 214 x 145mm
(F)
(B)
B313d face
B313d face
New Caledonia
B313d (
  • KM412d
  • P-36b
) 5 Francs Marianne de Walhain
Mauve, Brown on Lt. Green.
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1926)
  • 149 x 93mm
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
B314a face
B314a face
New Caledonia
B314a (
  • KM413a
  • P-37b
) 20 Francs Woman
Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1929)
  • Sig 5

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B316a (
  • KM417a
  • P-38
) 500 Francs Allegory of France
France and Local Woman, Ships
  • Printer: BdF
  • 12/27/1927
  • Sig 5

(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B318d (
  • KM416
  • P-39d
) 100F/20pi
Athena with Oak Crown; Khmer Temple
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1963)
  • Sig 11

(F)
(B)
New Caledonia
B319d (
  • P-40d
) 1000F/100pi Allegorical Woman (France) Standing with Asian Man
Chinese text and Dragon
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1963)
  • 212 x 142mm
  • Sig 11

  • Watermark

(F)
(B)
B315e face
B315e face
New Caledonia
B315e (
  • KM415e
  • P-42e
) 100 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1963)
  • Sig 11

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
B317d face
B317d face
New Caledonia
B317d (
  • KM418d
  • P-43d
) 1000 Francs Woman at Marketplace
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1963)
  • Sig 11

  • Watermark: Polynesian woman with flowers in her hair

(F)
B325b face
B325b face
New Caledonia
B325b (
  • KM414b
  • P-50b
) 20 Francs Shepherd
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1954)
  • Sig 10b

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
B201b face
B201b face
New Hebrides
B201b (
  • KM701b
  • P-4b
) 5 Francs Marianne de Walhain, with Free France overprint
Mauve, Brown on Lt. Green.
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1927-31)
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
B202a face
B202a face
New Hebrides
B202a (
  • KM702
  • P-6
) 20 Francs Woman
Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1941)
  • Sig 5

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)
New Hebrides
B210a (
  • KM717a
  • P-8
) 20 Francs Shepherd
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1954)
  • Sig 10b

(F)
(B)
New Hebrides
B203a (
  • KM703a1
  • P-9
) 100 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1941)
  • Sig 6

(F)
New Hebrides
B204a (
  • KM704
  • P-12A
) 500 Francs Allegory of France
France and Local Woman, Ships
  • Printer: BdF
  • 3/8/1938
  • Sig 7

(F)
(B)
New Hebrides
B205a (
  • KM705
  • P-14A
) 1000 Francs Woman at Marketplace
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1941)
  • Sig 7

(F)
B307d face
B307d face
Tahiti
B307d (
  • KM509d
  • P-11c
) 5 Francs Marianne de Walhain
Orange, Rose on Lavender.
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1927)
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
Tahiti
P-12 (
  • KM510b
) 20 Francs Woman
Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1928)
  • Sig 6

(F)
(B)
Tahiti
P-13b (
  • KM515b
) 500 Francs Allegory of France
France and Local Woman, Ships
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1926
  • Sig 4

(F)
(B)
B310e face
B310e face
Tahiti
B310e (
  • KM513e
  • P-14d
) 100 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1961-65)
  • Sig 11

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
B311b face
B311b face
Tahiti
B311b (
  • KM516b
  • P-15
) 1000 Francs Market Scene, Woman with Basket
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1940-57)
  • Sig 10b

  • Watermark: Man's head
(F)
Tahiti
B312 (
  • KM512
  • P-16
) 100F/20 Francs
Woman; Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1940)
  • Sig 7

(F)
(B)
Tahiti
P-16Ad (
  • KM514
) 100 Francs Woman with wreath
Statue at Angkor
  • Printer: BdF
  • Sig 10b

(F)
B319c face
B319c face
Tahiti
B319c (
  • KM511c
  • P-21c
) 20 Francs Shepherd
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1963)
  • Sig 11

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)

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