Protectorate of Laos (1893-1945, 1946-1953), Kingdom of Laos (1945-1946, 1953-1975) Lao People's Democratic Republic (1975-present)
French Protectorate (1893-1945, 1946-1953), Independent country (1945-1946, 1953-present)
Location: Southeast Asia
Capital City: Vientiane
Government type: French Protectorate (1893-1945, 1946-1953), Japanese Puppet State (1945), Provisional Government (1945-1946), Constitutional Monarchy (1953-1975), Communist Republic (1975-present)
Main languages: Lao
Main religions: Theravada Buddhism, Atheism
Chronology
1893: The remaining Lao kingdoms of Luang Phrabang and Champasak, formerly Siamese vassals, become part of the French protectorate of Laos
1907: Siam cedes the remaining parts of Laos to the French protectorate
1940-1945: Vichy French-aligned administration
1945: Japanese occupation, establishment of a puppet kingdom, Lao Issara expels Japanese 6 months later
1946: French rule restored
1953: Independence from France
1959-1975: Lao Civil War
1975: Communist Pathet Lao takeover
Currency
First Kip (1945-1946)
1 Kip = 100 Att
Piastre (1952-1955)
1 Piastre = 100 Cents = 500 Sapeques
Second Kip (1955-1976)
1 Kip = 100 Att
Pathet Lao Kip (rebel currency) (1968-1979)
1 Kip = 100 Att
Third Kip (1979-present)
1 Kip = 100 Att
Coins from Laos in the collection
Kingdom (1953-1975)
•10 Cents, 1952 (King Sisavang Vong (1946-1959), aluminum, Paris mint, KM#4)
•20 Cents, 1952 (King Sisavang Vong (1946-1959), aluminum, Paris mint, KM#5)
•50 Cents, 1952 (King Sisavang Vong (1946-1959), aluminum, Paris mint, KM#6)
Communist Republic (1975-present)
•10 Att, 1980 (aluminum, KM#22)
Banknotes from Laos in the collection
•1 Kip, 1957-1962 (P#1)
•1 Kip, 1962-1975 (King Sisavang Vatthana (1959-1975), P#8)
•5 Kip, 1962-1975 (King Sisavang Vatthana (1959-1975), P#9)
•10 Kip, 1962-1975 (King Sisavang Vatthana (1959-1975), P#10)
•50 Kip, 1963-1976 (King Sisavang Vatthana (1959-1975), P#11)
Pathet Lao Rebels
•20 Kip, 1968-1975 (P#21)
Communist Republic (1975-present)
•1 Kip, 1979-1988 (P#25)
•100 Kip, 1979-1988 (P#30)
•500 Kip, 1988 (P#31)
•1,000 Kip, 2003 (P#32a)
•5,000 Kip, 1997 (P#34)