Laos is a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River and known for mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements, and Buddhist monasteries. Vientiane, the capital, is the site of the That Luang monument, where a reliquary reportedly houses the Buddha’s breastbone, plus the Patuxai war memorial and Talat Sao (Morning Market), a complex jammed with food, clothes, and craft stalls.

The “kip” is the currency of Laos since 1952. Historically, one kip was divided into 100 “att”. In 1957, the government issued notes denominated solely in kip. The notes were for 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 kip printed by the Security Banknote Company, 100 kip printed by the Banque de France and a commemorative 500 kip printed by Thomas De La Rue. 1 and 5 kip notes printed by Bradbury & Wilkinson, and a 10 kip by De la Rue were introduced by 1962.

Today we are looking at a 100 Kip banknote issued in 1974. The obverse has the portrait of King Savang Vatthana to left with a pagoda in centre. The reverse depicts an Ox cart and High voltage supply towers in the background.

Image Courtesy: kb Coins