French Cochin China, 1 Sapeque Paris Mint 1879, struck on a raised rim 10 centime planchet, PCGS MS64BN, trial striking of the hub on a 28.5mm planchet, 11.16 grams, large planchet, uniface, uncirculated with full colour & very attractive. A unique striking, unlisted in any references, one of a kind and no other 1879 coinage trial appears to be known for any other denomination. The first year of coinage by the French for Vietnam, and thus a unique and historical piece for this country.The Sapeque was the principal currency of Cochin China and badly needed for payment of the troops and for supplies. The locally made coinage was unfortunately brittle and highly inconvenient for large payments at the best of times. Thus it was undoubtedly decided to make it the first denomination prepared in 1879 at the Paris Mint.An important opportunity for the collector of both French Colonies and Vietnam, a specialized market in the latter not having yet awakened. Given the economic boom that has occurred in the last decade the Indochina series is likely slated for strong attention and price pressure.(PCGS cert #39263109). ex-Goodman May 1995. The Sapeque was the denomination most in demand and formed almost the entirety of the Cochin China circulation. Thus it is believed that this denomination would have been prepared first. This would suggest that this is the earliest identifiable step in the preparation for the entire coinage for Cochin China.Please go to the auction description of the sale and follow the link there to see the coin rotational videos and Pridmore scans.
