2010 New Zealand Giay Thong-Hanh Silver 1 Ounce Coin and Safe-Conduct Pass
The Story
April 30th 2010 marks the 35th anniversary of the official end to the Vietnam War. This coin is specifically designed to depict major elements of the Safe Conduct Pass which saved hundreds of thousands of lives during the course of this conflict. The United States and its allies dropped over 50 billion leaflets during the Vietnam War, many of these being the Giay Thong-Hanh, or safe conduct pass. Versions of this have been used in virtually every war throughout history including Biblical times, the Medieval era and even through the American Indian wars. The safe conduct pass is a powerful form of propaganda allowing an enemy to defect with the absolute knowledge that he will be treated fairly and that his life and safety are guaranteed.
During the Vietnam War, the United States of America produced a series of safe conduct passes depicting the flag of the Republic of South Vietnam along with other allied flags. These passes measured approximately 3 by 6 inches with ‘Gia Thong-hanh’ printed in large text at the top. The main allied operation using this method in Vietnam was the Chieu Hoi or ‘ Open Arms’ program. This was started by President Ngo Dinh Diem in 1963. Diem believed that a defector who willingly came over to the government side was more valuable than one who is taken prisoner. He encouraged the allies to drop billions of leaflets offering amnesty to those who might rally to the government. In 1969 over 47,000 Viet Cong deserted. During the length of the war around 160,000 enemy soldiers voluntarily came over to the government of (South) Vietnam.
The Coin
Each coin comes with an authentic copy of the 7 flag safe conduct pass which was printed and introduced in 1967. On the back it bears the signature of President Ngo Dinh Diem with a message in Vietnamese stating ‘Carry this safe conduct pass to collaborate with the national government and you will be: kindly welcomed, assured of your security, well treated.’
Reverse Design: This depicts a selectively gold plated and colored flag of the Republic of (South) Vietnam, which was the central image of the Giay Thong-Hanh. It also features an engraved ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) soldier standing next to a Viet Cong defector. This engraving was taken directly from the photograph on the back of the Giay Thong-Hanh.
Obverse Design: This features the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, sovereign of the Commonwealth and Niue, along with the year of issue (2010) and the denomination of $2.
| Specifications: |
| Silver Content: |
.999 Silver |
| Face Value: |
$2 Legal Tender in Niue |
| Finish: |
Proof (Gold Gilded) |
| Weight: |
1 Troy oz |
| Diameter: |
40.7mm |
| Mintage: |
5,000 |
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