The kip (Lao: ???) is the currency of Laos since 1952. Its ISO 4217 code is LAK and it is usually written or N. One kip is divided into 100 att (???). Free Lao Kip In 1945-1946, the Free Kip government in Vientiane issued a series of paper money in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 att and 10 kip before the French authorities took control of the region. Royal kip The kip was reintroduced in 1952, replacing the French Indochinese piastre at par. The kip (also called a piastre in French) was sub-divided into 100 att (Lao) or cents (French). Coins Coins were issued in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 att or cents with French and Lao inscriptions. All were struck in aluminium and had a hole in the centre, like the Chinese wen coins. The only year of issue was 1952. Banknotes In 1953, the Laos branch of the Institut d'Emission des Etats du Camb