1 Cent French Indochina (1887-1954) Bronze

French Cochin China. Nice Bronze 1 Cent Coin.

Mint Year: 1884
Reference: KM-3.
Denomination: 1 Cent
Mint Mark: A (Paris Mint)
Diameter: 30.7mm
Material: Bronze
Weight: 9.83gm

Obverse: Seated liberty, holding fasces, leaning on rudder and anchor (symbols industry & trade). Mint initial (A) below.
Legend: REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE (cornucopia) 1884 (fasces)

Reverse: Vertical Chinese legend splitting value (1-C). Legend in French around.
Legend: INDO-COCHINCHINE FRANCAISE . POIDS 10 GR .

Cochinchina (Vietnamese: Nam Kỳ, Khmer: Kampuchea Krom) is a region encompassing the southern third of Vietnam whose principal city is Saigon or Prey Nokor in Khmer. It was a French colony from 1862 to 1954. The later state of South Vietnam was created in 1954 by combining Cochinchina with southern Annam. In Vietnamese, the region is called Nam Bộ. Historically, it was Gia Định (1779–1832), Nam Kỳ (1834–1945), Nam Bộ (1945–48), Nam phần (1948–56), Nam Việt (1956–75), and later Miền Nam. In French, it was called la colonie de Cochinchine.

In the 17th century, Vietnam was divided between the Trịnh Lords to the north and the Nguyễn Lords to the south. The northern section was called Tonkin by Europeans, and the southern part called Cochinchina by most Europeans and Quinam by the Dutch.

During the French colonial period, the label moved further south, and came to refer to the southernmost part of Vietnam, controlled by Cambodia in prior centuries, and lying to its southeast. Its capital was at Saigon. The two other parts of Vietnam at the time were known as Annam and Tonkin.