Cambodian Riel - First Riel, 1953-1975

First Riel, 1953-1975

In 1953, the Cambodia branch of the Institut d'Emission des Etats du Cambodge, du Laos et du Vietnam issued notes dual denominated in piastre and riel with the riel being at par with the piastre. At the same time, the two other branches of the Institut had similar arrangements with the đồng in South Vietnam and the kip in Laos. The piastre itself was derived from Spanish pieces of eight (pesos).

The riel was at first subdivided into 100 centimes (abbreviated to cent. on the coins) but this changed in 1959 to 100 sen (សេន). For the first few years, the riel and piastre circulated alongside each other. Indeed, the first riel banknotes were also denominated in piastres.

First Issue 1955-56 - 1 Riel, 5 Riel, 10 Riel, 50 Riel
Second Issue 1956 - 1 Riel, 20 Riel, 50 Riel, 100 Riel, 500 Riel
Third Issue 1963 - 5 Riel, 10 Riel, 100 Riel
Fourth Issue 1972 - 100 Riel, 500 Riel, 1000 Riel, 5000 Riel

Unissued