The U.S. Mint Goes to War
1941S French Indo-China, 10C

Owner Comments:

French Indo-China - 1941S - 10 Centimes (KM# 21.1a) - Mintage: 50,000,000

When France fell to Germany in June of 1940, Indochina (modern day Viet Nam) became one of the first wartime clients of the U.S. Mint. The vast majority of 1940A nickel 10 Centime coins were minted by the San Francisco mint using dies created by the Paris mint, complete with the "A" mint mark. The entire region was very unstable and people began hoarding coins, thus causing a coin shortage. This issue, and a 20 Centime coin with an identical design were contracted by the French government even though Indochina had essentially fallen under Japanese control in September of 1940. The coins were minted at the San Francisco mint and even bear the "S" mint mark at the bottom of the reverse. Once Japan bombed Perl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the U.S. mint ceased all production of coinage for French Indochina. These coins were most likely hoarded as well and quickly disappeared from circulation. These coins are relatively low relief and tend to be poorly struck.

This particular coin is very well struck on the obverse, but the strike on the reverse is good in the central elements, but softens around the peripheral lettering and design elements. The "S" mint mark is very flat at the base and appears to fade into the rim. The reverse die was probably nearing the end of its life when this coin was struck.

Date acquired: 4/3/2013 (Already graded by NGC)

Rev. 11/29/2015