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.

The note depicted beside is a 5 Kip banknote of 1957. The obverse depicts the Wat Wisunalat (Wat Visoun) - Singhalese style That Makmo (Watermelon) stupa, properly know as That Pathum (Lotus Stupa) in Thanon Wisunalat, Luang Prabang Province, Laos. The center of the note depicts the Tricephalic elephant arms featuring Airavata. The reverse depicts the scene of farmers on an ox cart pulled by two oxens.

Image Courtesy: Kate's Paper Money