HORNREICH COLLECTION of World and U.S. Historical Medals Including So-Called Dollars
Vietnam Gold Plaquette KIM-THAN c. 1975

Owner Comments:

Medal, Plaquette, c.1975, Gold, Vietnam. KIM THAN Gold Tael (Unit of Weight). Kim Than was the most common type of Vietnam Gold found during the Vietnam War and earlier. Produced by Jewelers and Artisans, not by the government, these were produced in Saigon, Hanoi, Phnom Penh and Hong Kong. KIM THAN "bars" were famous throughout Southeast Asia both before and during the Vietnam war. These were used by refugees as bribes or compensation to escape by boat during the conflict, many were purchased by dealers in refugee camps in the United States. They originally were made to weigh a tael, which is 1.2 Oz, and were comprised of 2 full plaquettes and 1 portion, to make the proper weight, then were wrapped in rice paper.