100 riels 1972

Common. The 100 Riels P-12b from 1972 is a standard-issue denomination from the Banque Nationale de Cambodge's regular circulation series. While Cambodia's currency underwent significant changes and disruptions after 1975, this note type does not have documented evidence of exceptionally limited print runs or rapid withdrawal from circulation. Notes from this issuer and denomination typically appear with moderate frequency in the numismatic market, even in higher grades. The AU condition grade is desirable but not extraordinarily scarce for this otherwise common issue.

This 1972 100 Riels note was issued during a pivotal period in Cambodian history, just before the country's tumultuous transition following the 1975 Khmer Rouge takeover. The architectural imagery on the front—showing an ornate Khmer temple or palace structure—reflects the nation's cultural heritage and Buddhist traditions that were central to pre-war Cambodian identity. The reverse landscape depicting rural settlement, agricultural fields, and irrigation systems represents Cambodia's agrarian economy and the countryside that defined much of the nation's pre-conflict character.

The obverse features a highly detailed engraved representation of an ornate Khmer architectural structure—likely depicting a temple sanctuary or royal palace entrance—characterized by elaborate spires, decorated doorways, and intricate geometric patterns rendered in fine line work typical of intaglio production. The reverse showcases a comprehensive landscape vignette illustrating traditional Cambodian rural life: a riverside or coastal settlement with multiple buildings, extensive agricultural terraced fields, irrigation channels or waterways, and distant mountains or hills, all rendered with sophisticated crosshatching and shading to create depth and dimension. Both sides are framed with ornamental borders and corner decorative elements, with denomination numerals enclosed in oval cartouches. The color scheme employs blue-gray as the primary tone with green and tan/beige accents, creating visual balance across the composition.

Front Side: The note bears the Khmer text 'ឯកសារប័ណ្ណប្រាក់ដែលលេខស្ដាប់ដែលលេខ' (National currency note), 'ដូលារ' (Riels), 'ប្រតិបត្តិលេខ' (Serial number authority), and 'ស្ដាប់ដែលលេខលេខ' (Bank of Cambodia). The numeral '900' appears in decorative oval frames, with a red serial number 'ប៉979752០'. Back Side: French text 'BANQUE NATIONALE DU CAMBODGE' (National Bank of Cambodia) appears at the top, with Khmer equivalents below. The denomination is shown as '100' in corner frames with the English/French inscription 'CENT RIELS' (One Hundred Riels) at the bottom center.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving and steel plate printing), as evidenced by the fine line work, complex crosshatching patterns, intricate geometric designs, and the crisp, raised impression characteristic of intaglio production. The security features include watermark areas visible on the left side of the obverse. The printer for Cambodian banknotes of this era was typically an international security printer, with French currency printers (such as Banque de France's contracted security printers) often handling Southeast Asian central bank commissions during this period.

The observed serial number 'ប៉979752០' provides a specific identifier for this individual note. Pick P-12b is the standard catalog designation for this 1972 issue. Known varieties for Cambodian 100 Riels notes of this period may include variations in serial number prefixes and printing dates, though without access to comprehensive Cambodian banknote variety documentation, specific variety classification beyond the Pick designation cannot be definitively established from the available visual information. The red serial number coloring is consistent with the standard P-12b specifications.