2 dong 1955

Common. The 2 Đồng 1955 (P-12) was a standard circulation note issued in substantial quantities by the National Bank of Vietnam during the early years of South Vietnam's independence. While colonial-era Vietnamese notes can command premiums, this post-1954 issue is widely available to collectors. The UNC condition grade is desirable but not exceptionally scarce for this denomination and period. Standard collector market pricing reflects common availability.

This 2 Đồng note was issued during the early post-French Indochina period when South Vietnam was establishing its independent monetary system under the National Bank of Vietnam. The imagery—a traditional Vietnamese sailing junk and rural Mekong Delta landscape—reflects the nation's maritime heritage and agricultural economy during this formative period of the First Republic (1955-1963). The note's design emphasizes Vietnamese cultural identity and the importance of the delta region to the nation's economy and way of life.

The front of the note features a traditional Vietnamese sailing junk (thuyền buồm) with billowing sails on water, depicted as the central vignette in fine engraved detail. The vessel represents Vietnam's maritime traditions and commercial heritage. Ornate circular corner medallions containing the numeral '2' are positioned in all four corners, with concentric circular patterns serving both decorative and anti-counterfeiting functions. The reverse displays a serene Mekong Delta landscape scene with prominent palm trees, a small rural dwelling with a pitched roof, and a body of water, symbolizing the agricultural prosperity and regional importance of the delta. Wave pattern security backgrounds and fine geometric border designs frame both sides. The typography uses traditional Vietnamese denominations in both Vietnamese and Arabic numerals.

Front Side: 'NGÂN-HÀNG QUỐC-GIA VIỆT-NAM' (National Bank of Vietnam); 'HAI ĐỒNG' (Two Dong); 'THƯ-QUỲ TRUNG-ƯƠNG' (Central Treasury); 'TỔNG-KIỂM-TRA' (General Inspector); Serial number: 331746; Series designation: 36-A; Denomination: 2. Back Side: 'VIỆT-NAM' (Vietnam); 'HAI ĐỒNG' (Two Dong); 'HÌNH LUẬT PHÁT KHÓ-SAI NHỮNG KỀ LÀM GIẢ MAO GIẤY BẠC DO NGÂN-HÀNG QUỐC-GIA VIỆT-NAM PHÁT RA' (Legal penalty for counterfeiting banknotes issued by the National Bank of Vietnam); 'SECURITY BANKNOTE COMPANY' (Printer identification); Denomination: 2.

This note was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing techniques, as evidenced by the fine line work, detailed vignettes, and the crisp, raised impressions characteristic of security printing. The printer is identified on the reverse as Security Banknote Company, a notable security printer of the period. The multiple color printing (navy blue, red, and black on cream/beige stock) and fine geometric patterns indicate professional security banknote production standards typical of 1950s currency manufacture.

The observed specimen shows the series designation '36-A' with serial number 331746, indicating this is from the standard 1955 issue. No overprints, date variations, or unusual signatures are noted. The note appears to be a standard printing without known major varieties. Collectors may distinguish between different series blocks and serial number prefixes within the 1955 emission, though these typically do not command significant premiums.