Ancient Cambodian currency

[vladimir]

It's also possible that the French used to refer to money as Louis and the Khmers picked it up from them...if no coins with an image were in use.

[Jamie_Lambo]

i had a look into it, couldnt find anything other than the louis thing, although i dont fully see the connection, thats the only origin i can find

[springrain]

As far as I know the Indochine Piastre was the currency used during the protectorate.

Yes, I forgot about the Piastre. Even mentioned as recently as 1955 in GG's 'The Quiet American' - where Fowler several times mentions the currency.

Interestingly, the obverse of the French Indochine Piastre of 1885 depicts Queen Semiramis aka Britannia aka the Statue of Liberty (my conjecture), and (after 'Independence,' of course) was renamed ... the Riel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piastre

[Lucky Lucan]

Interestingly, the obverse of the French Indochine Piastre of 1885 depicts Queen Semiramis aka Britannia aka the Statue of Liberty (my conjecture)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piastre

That's Lady Liberty, who represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom.



These coins seem to still be produced, I've seen new ones on sale in hill-tribe areas where they are prized for decorating headdresses.

Prior to the Piasters introduction there was the Cambodian Franc (1875-1885).



And before that the Tical which was similar to the Thai Tical (foreigner's name for Baht).

, and (after 'Independence,' of course) was renamed ... the Riel.

It wasn't renamed the Riel, that's a completely different currency, but their value was at a par when the Riel was introduced. The name "Riel" probably comes from the old Portuguese "Real".

1970 one Riel coin:


Riel coins from 1994. I don't think I've ever seen any outside of collector's market stalls.


Old coin-making machine in Kampong Spue:



http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-plus/ ... ry-history

[Ot Mean Loi]

Actually, the name Riel, comes from the Cambodian word for the very small fish most commonly found in the Tonle Sap and it's from this fish that the KHR Riel takes its name.

OML

[ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ]

Actually, the name Riel, comes from the Cambodian word for the very small fish most commonly found in the Tonle Sap and it's from this fish that the KHR Riel takes its name.

OML

I've heard this before but had forgotten about it.
This sounds a lot more plausible to me.

[Jamie_Lambo]

oldest coins i possess are from 1855