50 riels 1956

Common. The 1956 50 riels Cambodian note was issued as part of the early circulation series of the newly independent nation's central bank and saw standard circulation during the stable 1950s period before Cambodia's later political upheaval. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or short-lived issuing authority exists for this standard catalog variety, and Fair condition examples are regularly encountered in the numismatic market at modest valuations typical of common mid-20th century Asian banknotes.

Issued by the Banque Nationale de Cambodge in 1956, just three years after Cambodia's independence from France, this banknote reflects the nation's early efforts to establish its own monetary identity while maintaining French linguistic conventions alongside Khmer script. The reverse's prominent depiction of Angkor Wat—Cambodia's most iconic architectural symbol—served as a powerful affirmation of national pride and cultural continuity during this formative period of Cambodian statehood.

The obverse features an ornate rectangular border composed of traditional Khmer geometric and floral patterns in blue and dark navy, framing a central vignette depicting a tranquil waterway scene with traditional wooden sailing vessels and fishing figures, rendered in blue and beige tones. The reverse showcases the majestic Angkor Wat temple complex as its dominant central vignette, with the temple's characteristic multiple towers and intricate architectural details prominently displayed and reflected in a water moat, flanked by palm trees and surrounded by the same ornamental Khmer border patterns in blue with brown/rust temple tones and cream accents. Denominational numerals in Khmer script and French text are positioned throughout both sides within decorative corner ornaments.

Front side: Khmer numeral '៥០' (50), serial numbers '67101' and '00746710', and various Khmer authority marks including 'ក្ល៉ូ' (signature/authority mark) and 'ក្ល៉ូ៣' (mark 3). Back side: 'BANQUE NATIONALE DU CAMBODGE' and 'ធនាគារ ជាតិ កម្ពុជា' (National Bank of Cambodia in French and Khmer respectively), 'CINQUANTE RIELS' (Fifty Riels in French), Khmer numeral '៥០' (50), and additional Khmer currency denomination indicators.

Intaglio engraving (recess printing), characterized by the fine line work, intricate ornamental borders, and detailed architectural rendering visible throughout both sides. The note displays the detailed relief engraving typical of 1950s European security printers contracted by newly independent nations. While the specific printer for this issue is not definitively documented in the visual analysis, the quality and style are consistent with De La Rue or similar British Commonwealth security printing operations of the era.

Pick P-7a represents the standard 1956 issue of the 50 riels denomination. The visual analysis shows serial number '67101' repeated across the note, consistent with 1950s Cambodian numbering conventions. No obvious overprints, date variations, or signature varieties distinguishing this as a notably scarce sub-variety are apparent from the observed images; the note appears to be a typical example of the primary P-7a variety.