Laos P-41 2000 Kip 2011 UNC—Communist "Dad"—UNESCO Heritage—Hydroelectric

Variety: Only one variety Color: Blue and green Front: Portrait of Kaysone Phomvihane, "father" of Communist Laos Xieng Thong Temple (Wat Xieng Thong), Luang Prabang National Coat of Arms Back: Seset 2 Hydroelectric Dam Security Features: Watermark: Kaysone Phomvihane with electrotype design Security Thread: Solid demetalized thread with Lao text UV Activity: Yes Serial Number Prefix: AA (replacement notes) Currency: Lao PDR Kip (LAK), 1979–date Denomination: 2000 Kip Composition: Paper Size: 141 × 65 mm Printer: Bank of the Lao PDR Country: Laos — French Indochina (colonial era–1953); Kingdom of Laos (1953–1975); Lao People’s Democratic Republic (1975–present) Kaysone Phomvihane (KAY-sawn pom-vee-HAHN) The Father of Communist Laos Kaysone Phomvihane (1920–1992) is the founding figure of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic — the communist state established in December 1975 after the Pathet Lao movement, backed by North Vietnam, overthrew the Royal Lao Government and abolished the 600-year-old monarchy. Born to a Lao mother and Vietnamese father, Kaysone studied law in Hanoi before joining the Indochinese Communist Party in the 1940s and dedicating his life to revolutionary politics. He served as Prime Minister from 1975 until 1991, and then as President until his death in 1992 — effectively leading Laos through its most transformative and difficult decades: the consolidation of one-party rule, the exodus of much of the educated class, the isolation of the Cold War years, and the cautious economic opening of the late 1980s known as the Chinthanakan Mai (New Thinking). His image on Lao currency is ubiquitous — the Lao equivalent of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam or Mao in China — a permanent fixture of the state’s visual identity. Wat Xieng Thong, Temple of the Golden City Wat Xieng Thong — the Temple of the Golden City — is the most celebrated Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang, the ancient royal capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Built in 1560 by King Setthathirath, it served as the royal temple of the Lane Xang kingdom and remained closely associated with Lao royalty until the monarchy’s abolition in 1975. Its sweeping, multi-tiered roof — characteristic of Lao temple architecture — sweeps low to the ground in a gesture of elegant humility, and its walls are adorned with intricate glass mosaics depicting scenes from Buddhist cosmology and Lao mythology. Its presence on this note — issued by a communist government that abolished the monarchy Xieng Thong once served — reflects the Lao state’s pragmatic embrace of Buddhist heritage as a pillar of national identity, even as it dismantled the political structures that heritage once supported. The Seset 2 Hydroelectric Dam The Battery of Southeast Asia The reverse features the Seset 2 Hydroelectric Dam, one of many dams built on Laos’s rivers as part of the country’s ambitious strategy to become the “battery of Southeast Asia” — exporting hydroelectric power to Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Laos has more rivers per capita than almost any country on earth, and hydropower has become the cornerstone of its development model, generating the majority of government revenue and foreign exchange. The strategy is not without controversy: large dams have displaced tens of thousands of people, altered river ecosystems, and raised concerns about Laos’s dependence on Chinese investment and debt. But for the Lao government, the dam on this banknote is a symbol of modernity, sovereignty, and economic ambition — a nation harnessing its geography to power its future. A Final Reflection: The Quiet Country Laos is one of the least-visited and least-understood countries in Southeast Asia — landlocked, sparsely populated, and still governed by the same party that took power in 1975. It is also one of the most heavily bombed countries in history: during the Vietnam War, the United States dropped more ordnance on Laos than was dropped on all of Europe during World War II, much of it still unexploded in the soil today. This 2000 Kip note, with its temple, its revolutionary leader, and its dam, offers a quiet portrait of a country navigating the distance between its ancient Buddhist heritage and its communist present — and doing so largely out of the world’s sight. For the collector, it is an affordable and visually striking entry point into one of numismatics’ most overlooked corners. Lao numbers 0 = ໐, 1 = ໑, 2 = ໒, 3 = ໓, 4 = ໔, 5 = ໕, 6 = ໖, 7 = ໗, 8 = ໘, 9 = ໙

Laos P-41 2000 Kip 2011 UNC—Communist "Dad"—UNESCO Heritage—Hydroelectric

  • Variety: Only one variety
  • Color: Blue and green
  • Front:
    • Portrait of Kaysone Phomvihane, "father" of Communist Laos
    • Xieng Thong Temple (Wat Xieng Thong), Luang Prabang
    • National Coat of Arms
  • Back:
    • Seset 2 Hydroelectric Dam
  • Security Features:
    • Watermark: Kaysone Phomvihane with electrotype design
    • Security Thread: Solid demetalized thread with Lao text
    • UV Activity: Yes
  • Serial Number Prefix: AA (replacement notes)
  • Currency: Lao PDR Kip (LAK), 1979–date
  • Denomination: 2000 Kip
  • Composition: Paper
  • Size: 141 × 65 mm
  • Printer: Bank of the Lao PDR
  • Country: Laos — French Indochina (colonial era–1953); Kingdom of Laos (1953–1975); Lao People’s Democratic Republic (1975–present)

Kaysone Phomvihane (KAY-sawn pom-vee-HAHN)

The Father of Communist Laos

Kaysone Phomvihane (1920–1992) is the founding figure of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic — the communist state established in December 1975 after the Pathet Lao movement, backed by North Vietnam, overthrew the Royal Lao Government and abolished the 600-year-old monarchy. Born to a Lao mother and Vietnamese father, Kaysone studied law in Hanoi before joining the Indochinese Communist Party in the 1940s and dedicating his life to revolutionary politics.

He served as Prime Minister from 1975 until 1991, and then as President until his death in 1992 — effectively leading Laos through its most transformative and difficult decades: the consolidation of one-party rule, the exodus of much of the educated class, the isolation of the Cold War years, and the cautious economic opening of the late 1980s known as the Chinthanakan Mai (New Thinking). His image on Lao currency is ubiquitous — the Lao equivalent of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam or Mao in China — a permanent fixture of the state’s visual identity.

Wat Xieng Thong, Temple of the Golden City

Wat Xieng Thong — the Temple of the Golden City — is the most celebrated Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang, the ancient royal capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Built in 1560 by King Setthathirath, it served as the royal temple of the Lane Xang kingdom and remained closely associated with Lao royalty until the monarchy’s abolition in 1975. Its sweeping, multi-tiered roof — characteristic of Lao temple architecture — sweeps low to the ground in a gesture of elegant humility, and its walls are adorned with intricate glass mosaics depicting scenes from Buddhist cosmology and Lao mythology.

Its presence on this note — issued by a communist government that abolished the monarchy Xieng Thong once served — reflects the Lao state’s pragmatic embrace of Buddhist heritage as a pillar of national identity, even as it dismantled the political structures that heritage once supported.

The Seset 2 Hydroelectric Dam

The Battery of Southeast Asia

The reverse features the Seset 2 Hydroelectric Dam, one of many dams built on Laos’s rivers as part of the country’s ambitious strategy to become the “battery of Southeast Asia” — exporting hydroelectric power to Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Laos has more rivers per capita than almost any country on earth, and hydropower has become the cornerstone of its development model, generating the majority of government revenue and foreign exchange.

The strategy is not without controversy: large dams have displaced tens of thousands of people, altered river ecosystems, and raised concerns about Laos’s dependence on Chinese investment and debt. But for the Lao government, the dam on this banknote is a symbol of modernity, sovereignty, and economic ambition — a nation harnessing its geography to power its future.

A Final Reflection: The Quiet Country

Laos is one of the least-visited and least-understood countries in Southeast Asia — landlocked, sparsely populated, and still governed by the same party that took power in 1975. It is also one of the most heavily bombed countries in history: during the Vietnam War, the United States dropped more ordnance on Laos than was dropped on all of Europe during World War II, much of it still unexploded in the soil today. This 2000 Kip note, with its temple, its revolutionary leader, and its dam, offers a quiet portrait of a country navigating the distance between its ancient Buddhist heritage and its communist present — and doing so largely out of the world’s sight.

For the collector, it is an affordable and visually striking entry point into one of numismatics’ most overlooked corners.

Lao numbers

0 = ໐, 1 = ໑, 2 = ໒, 3 = ໓, 4 = ໔, 5 = ໕, 6 = ໖, 7 = ໗, 8 = ໘, 9 = ໙

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Banknote Grading Guide

Grades reflect overall market perception, not rigid defect counting alone. Notes sold from grouped inventory may vary slightly within grade. Individual defects such as foxing, writing, or small marks may be reflected in the grade rather than always itemized separately. Buyers may return any note within 14 days of receipt; satisfaction is guaranteed.

  • UNC (Uncirculated ~60-70): folds none; handling none to trace; paper crisp; corners sharp; splits/tears none; missing pieces none; surface clean; impressions (counting-band or security-thread half-moon) permitted if there is no paper break, fiber disturbance, or ink/design loss.
  • AU/UNC (Almost Unc. Plus ~55-58): folds 1 very light fold (soft bend, no sharp crease, no design break) or up to 3 corner bends; handling trace; paper crisp; corners nearly sharp.
  • AU (Almost Unc. ~50-53): folds 1 light fold or 2 very light folds; handling light; paper crisp to slightly relaxed; corners slightly rounded.
  • XF+ (Extra Fine Plus ~45-48): folds 2-3 light folds; handling light; paper crisp to regular; edges minor wear begins.
  • XF (Extra Fine ~40-44): folds 3-4 light to moderate folds; handling moderate; paper crisp to regular; edges/splits minor splits may appear.
  • VF+ (Very Fine Plus ~35-39): folds 4-6 moderate folds; handling moderate; paper regular to semi-limp; splits minor and more common.
  • VF (Very Fine ~30-34): folds 6-8 moderate to heavy folds; paper semi-limp; splits small but typical; surface light soiling visible.
  • VFâ (Very Fine Minus ~25-29): folds 8-12 heavy folds; paper semi-limp to limp; splits moderate; surface duller; foxing/writing may be present and reflected in grade without separate notation.
  • F (Fine 15-20): folds 12-15 heavy folds, may include very heavy folds; paper limp; splits frequent; tears up to 10 mm, limited in number; missing pieces up to 3 small edge/corner pieces, each up to about 3Ã3 mm; foxing/writing may be present and reflected in grade without separate notation.
  • Fâ (Fine Minus ~12-14): folds numerous very heavy folds; paper limp; splits common; tears up to about 15 mm; missing pieces up to 5 small pieces, each up to about 5 mm; foxing/writing may be present and reflected in grade without separate notation.
  • VG/F (Very Good to Fine ~10-12): folds dense network of very heavy folds; paper very limp; splits heavy; tears common; missing pieces multiple; foxing/writing may be minor or significant and reflected in grade without separate notation.
  • VG (Very Good ~8-10): folds severe overlapping very heavy folds; paper very limp; splits heavy with edge damage; missing pieces multiple; surface poor eye appeal; foxing/writing may be minor or significant and reflected in grade without separate notation.

Definitions

  • Handling: surface fatigue without structural change; loss of crispness, slight dulling, and/or micro-flexing; not a true fold.
  • Fold severity: very light = bend only, no sharp crease, no ink disturbance; light = thin crease, clean line, no ink loss; moderate = visible pressure, slightly widened line; heavy = broad crease, may vary slightly in placement; very heavy = thick, uneven, with weakened or partially lost design along the fold.
  • Half-moon / band impression: curved pressure mark from a counting strap or internal security thread; acceptable in UNC if the paper is not broken and there is no fiber or design disturbance; if flattening or disturbance is visible, the note is typically AU/UNC or lower. A simple central-bank band impression is generally less serious than a mark that visibly disturbs the printed design.
  • Foxing: age-related spotting. Minor foxing typically lowers a note about one grade step; major foxing lowers it multiple steps.
  • Pen marks / writing: minor means under about 2 cm² total visible writing; major means more than ~2 cm² or visually dominant writing. Minor writing lowers a note one grade step; major writing lowers it multiple steps.
  • Tears / splits / missing pieces: structural defects. These must remain within the limits of the assigned grade; excessive size, count, or severity forces a downgrade.
  • When foxing, writing or tears downgrade a note, the issue may be absorbed into the assigned grade without explicit mention.