200 kip 1963

Common. The eBay price data shows consistent sales in the $2–$10 range across multiple condition grades (VF to UNC) from 2013–2017, with 2019 catalog value of $6 for UNC examples. These market prices and catalog values indicate this is a readily available note in the secondary market. The 1963 200 Kip was part of the Banque Nationale du Laos's regular issue series with sufficient print run to ensure modern availability. No evidence of scarcity, recall status, or limited production exists in the reference data.

This note was issued during the reign of King Savang Vatthana (1954-1975) by the Banque Nationale du Laos, representing Laos's post-independence monetary system following French colonial rule. The prominent depiction of Pha That Luang, Laos's most sacred Buddhist monument located in Vientiane, underscores the cultural and spiritual significance of Buddhism in the nation's identity. The inclusion of Khong Phapheng waterfalls on the reverse celebrates Laos's natural landscape and the Mekong River region, key geographic and economic features of the country.

The obverse features a formal three-quarter profile portrait of King Savang Vatthana positioned at the left, rendered in white military dress uniform with decorative insignia, facing slightly toward the viewer's left. The central design element is the Pha That Luang pagoda complex in Vientiane, depicted with its characteristic golden stupa rising prominently above fortified compound walls and tropical vegetation including palm trees. An ornate circular watermark medallion occupies the center-right area. The design is framed by elaborate decorative borders executed in traditional Laotian artistic style with intricate floral and figurative motifs in blue, green, yellow, and white. The reverse depicts the Khong Phapheng waterfalls as the primary landscape feature, showing a multi-tiered cascade descending rocky terrain, surrounded by dense tropical forest and mountainous hills rendered in varying shades of green and gray. A large circular watermark medallion is positioned on the left-center. Ornamental border panels contain small traditional figures in period dress, and decorative corner patterns frame the composition.

FRONT: Arabic numerals '200' (denomination); Lao text 'ສາມຮ້ອຍກີບ' (Three Hundred Kip — note apparent discrepancy in visual analysis); Lao text 'ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນ ລາວ' (Lao People's Democratic Republic); French text 'GOUVERNEUR' (Governor) and 'UN CENSEUR' (A Censor) above signature lines; Lao text 'ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການ' (Governor) and 'ຜູ້ລົງນາມ' (Signature); Serial number '9813837' and additional numbering '0299818837'. BACK: Arabic numerals '200' (denomination); French text 'BANQUE NATIONALE DU LAOS' (National Bank of Laos); French text 'DEUX CENTS KIP' (Two Hundred Kip); French text 'LE CONTREFACTEUR SERA PUNI CONFORMEMENT A LA LOI' (Counterfeiters will be punished in accordance with the law).

The note exhibits characteristics consistent with intaglio (engraved) printing on security paper, evidenced by the fine line work, intricate border details, and complex landscape shading visible throughout both sides. The precision of the portrait rendering and the delicate architectural detail of Pha That Luang suggest multiple color plate separation in the intaglio process. The watermark feature (tricephalic elephant arms as noted in reference catalogs) was incorporated during papermaking. The printer for P-13a is not definitively identified in standard catalogs, though P-13s2 variants note TDLR (Banque de l'Indochine subsidiary printer) for some specimens; P-13a may have been produced by a different security printer.

This specimen is cataloged as Pick P-13a, distinguished in PMG records from P-13b (alternative watermark: Arms) and P-13s2 (specimen variant with TDLR printer mark). The observed serial number '9813837' and signature block style are consistent with the standard P-13a variety. The absence of visible overprints or secondary markings, combined with the French and Lao dual-language text and the depicted royal portrait without later regime modifications, confirms this as an unaltered P-13a regular issue from the original 1963 series rather than a specimen or specialty printing variant.