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Coinage and Currency of South Korea: Won and Jeon: (Part II): Banknotes of
South Korea:
Bank
of Korea (BOK):
The Bank of Korea is the
Central Bank of South Korea established on 12.06.1950 at Seoul, South
Korea under the Bank of Korea Act. As the Korean economy following the
liberation of the country on 15.08.1945, was in the grip of rampant inflation,
the Bank of Korea’s primary task was to rein in the severe inflation and bring
about a semblance of price stability and financial order. Accordingly, it had a
wide range of powers in regard to the Monetary, Credit and Financial policy,
Bank Supervision, Foreign Exchange policy, as well as, having the exclusive right to issue Banknotes and coins. In
effect, the Bank of Korea took over the functions of the Bank of Joseon.
The Central Bank maintains
close co-operation with other Central Banks and multilateral organisations like
the BIS, IMF and acts as the Central Bank of the G-20 Summit nations.
Assigning
Series Designations to Banknotes and Coins:
The
Bank of Korea designates Banknotes and Coin Series in a unique manner.
Instead of putting those
Banknotes or Coins of similar design and issue dates, but of different
denominations, in the same Series, the Central Bank assigns Series number say
“n” to the “nth” design to individual denominations.
For example, the Series
number for the 50000 Won Banknote issued on 23.06.2009, the Series number is I,
because, it is the first time ever, this denomination of Banknote is issued
under the 2006-2007 Series. Similarly, within the same Series the 1000 Won
banknote is designated Series III, because this is the third time ever that
this denomination/design of Banknote has been issued.
Early
South Korean Banknote Issues:
In 1946, the Bank of Joseon issued the first 10
and 100 Won Banknotes.
In 1949, the Bank
of Joseon issued 5 and 1000 Won Banknotes.
In 1950, The Bank
of Korea, upon assumption of its duties, issued Banknotes in the denominations
of 5, 10 and 50 Jeon and 100 and 1000 Won. Some of these Banknotes were dated
1949 so as to maintain continuity/familiarity with the earlier issues of the
Bank of Joseon.
In 1952, 500 Won
Banknotes were introduced.
In 1953, a Series of Banknotes was issued which
denominated in the Hwan, with English lettering. These were the first issues
of Hwan Banknotes.
The
1962 Thomas De La Rue Series of Banknotes:
In 1962, 10 and 50 Jeon and 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 Won
denominated first issue of
South Korean Banknotes printed by De La Rue, the Security Paper and Printing
major.
The
1962-1969 KOMSCO Series of Banknotes:
Jeon
Banknotes denominated in 10 and 50 Jeon, along with a second issue of 10 and 100 Won Banknotes were issued
domestically by the Bank of Korea through the Korea Minting and Security
Printing Corporation (KOMSCO).
In 1965, 100 Won
Banknotes (Series III) were printed using intaglio printing techniques, with a
view to prevent counterfeiting.
Later, other higher denomination Banknotes of the
first issue were replaced with similar security features strengthened Banknotes
– 500 Won (in 1966) and 50 Won (1969) by using intaglio/litho
printing. Also, in 1966, 500 Won denominated Banknotes were issued by
the Bank of Korea.
In 1970, 100 Won Banknotes were replaced by coins.
1972-1973
Series of Banknotes:
On 01.07.1972, 50 Won Banknotes were replaced by coins
and higher denomination Banknotes of 5000
Won were introduced, due to inflationary pressures. These Banknotes on the Front showed Yi l and on the Back the Main Building of the Bank of Korea. (5000 Won Banknotes of this
Series were issued on 01.07.1972 and were withdrawn from circulation on 01.12.1980).
In 1973, Banknotes
of 10000 Won denomination was issued. These Banknotes on the Front showed Sejong the Great and the Rose of Sharon, while on the Back, was a depiction of “Geunjeongjeon”
at Gyeongbok Palace. (10000 Won
Banknotes of this Series were issued on 12.06.1973 and were withdrawn from circulation on 10.11.1981).
Both
these higher denominations had new Security features including – watermark,
security thread, ultra-violet optical/response fibres and intaglio printing.
An image of the throne
hall at the Gyeongbok Palace
The
“Geunjeongjeon” Hall at the Gyeongbok
Palace: The
name “Geunjeongjeon” means “diligence helps governance”. This
Hall is the throne hall where the king formally granted audiences to his officials,
gave declarations of National importance and greeted foreign envoys and
Ambassadors during the Joseon Dynasty. This building is designated as Korea’s
National Treasure no. 223.
1973-1979
Series of Banknotes:
This series included four
denominations of Banknotes:
The Front of the 500
Won Banknotes showed depictions of Admiral
Yi Sun-sin along with “Geobukseon”.
Admiral Yi Sun-sin (28.04.1545 – 16.12.1598):
He was a Korean Naval Admiral, famed for his victories against the Japanese
Navy during the “Imjin War”
during the reign of the Joseon dynasty. Yi is also the famed inventor of the “Geobukseon” (or the turtle War-ship),
which was the World’s first Ironclad
Warship.
He was well-respected both by his men, as well
as, his adversaries. He is remembered as
the greatest Naval Commander in the history of Naval combat and he remained
undefeated against insurmountable odds despite having no naval training
although he underwent training as an infantry officer. He remained undefeated
in over 23 naval battles, the only Naval Commander ever to have such a
phenomenal record. His most memorable military achievement was in the
battle of Myeongnyang.
Yi fell out of favour with
the Joseon King, who was a weakling given to court intrigue and his opponents
always conspired to keep Yi from gaining men, material and operational freedom.
So much so, they even contrived to get King Seonjo to have Yi imprisoned and
tortured to the point of death. King Seonjo, himself, feared that Yi’s growing
popularity might make him challenge his own title to the Korean throne. Yi was
demoted in rank and made to serve under junior officers.
Meanwhile, in 1597,
the Japanese launched a massive attack on Korea, with about 140,000 men and
1000 ships. Yi’s successor Won Gyun’s fleet of 150 Warships (with 30000 men
which had been carefully assembled by Yi),
was caught unawares and destroyed except for 13 ships that Admiral Bae
Seol managed to flee the engagement with.
King Senjo fearing his own
safety, hurriedly pardoned Yi and reinstated him as the Commander of the vastly
reduced fleet of 13 ships.
Yi’s fleet was vastly outnumbered
133 warships (and 200 logistical support ships) to only 13 and he was forced to
make a last stand in the defence of Seoul against an invading Japanese Army,
but he managed to destroy 33 of the enemy vessels, striking fear among the
Japanese navy, which retreated in disarray. There
is no other engagement in history involving such an outnumbered fleet emerging victorious.
He died in the Battle of
Noryang on 16.12.1598, when he was struck by a stray bullet, with the
Japanese army on the verge of being completely pushed out of the Korean
Peninsula. His famous dying words were “The battle is at its height … beat my war
drums … do not announce my death”. His nephew put on his battle armour
and Yi’s passing away was only announced when the Japanese were completely
routed.
It is said that the weak
Joseon king only showed a “blank expression” offering no signs of sadness or
shock on hearing the news of Yi’s passing away.
Nevertheless, public
sentiment forced King Seonjo to acknowledge Yi’s patriotism and contribution
as the most capable Korean Naval Commander and he was given the title of “Chungmugong” (Duke of Loyalty and Warfare), and enrolment as a “Seonmu lldeung Gongsin” (First class
military order of merit during the reign of King Seonjo), “Deokpung Buwongun” (The Prince of the Court from Deokpung) and “Samdo
Sugun Tongjesa” (meaning “Naval commander of the Three Provinces”), which
remained the title of all succeeding Naval commanders of the Korean Navy till 1896.
Admiral Yi’s posthumous
title, “Chungmugong” is used as South
Korea’s third highest military honour, known as “The Cordon of Chungmu of the
order of military Merit and Valour”.
Even in North Korea, the
military awards the Order of admiral Yi sun-sin to Flag officers and naval
commanders for outstanding leadership.
Several movies/films/TV
Serials have portrayed Yi’s successes against his adversaries & several
/streets/memorials and a City stand in his name. A naval submarine in South
Korea has been named after him.
“Geobukseon” (or the Turtle War-ship): This was a large
two-masted, wind and oar-driven Korean warship that was used by the Royal
Korean Navy during the Joseon Dynasty from the early 15th century
till the 19th century. The ship derives its name from its protective
shell-like covering.
It was designed by Admiral
Yi Sun-sin, the most famous of Sea
Admirals of all-time. Turtle warships participated in the War against
Japanese Naval forces supporting Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s attempts to conquer Korea
from 1592 to 1598. These warships were used alongside the “Panokseon” warships in sea battles against the Japanese.
The Back of the 500
Won Banknotes showed Admiral
Yi Sun-sin’s shrine at Hyeonchungsa.
500
Won Banknotes under this Series (Series III) were issued on 01.09.1973 were
withdrawn from circulation on 12.05.1993.
The Front of the 1000
Won Banknotes showed depictions of Yi
Hwang and the Rose of Sharon.
Yi
Hwang (1501-1570): He was one of the two most prominent
scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, the other being his younger contemporary, Yi I.
He is also known by his pen name “Toegye”
(meaning “Retreating Creek”). He was a key figure of the Neo-Confucian
literati. He is credited with establishing the Yeongnam School and setting up
the Dosan Seowan, a private Confucian Academy. Yi Hwang is credited with having
around 496 works in 764 publications in 4 languages and 5167 library holdings.
The Neo-Confucian
literature of “Seonghaksipdo” was composed by Yi Hwang in 1568 for King
Seonjo. It is a series of lectures for
rulers through examples enumerated by past sages. Traditional Confucians had
affirmed that any man could learn to become a sage, but the Neo-Confucian
thought made the sage-hood real and attainable. Hwang presented that path by
starting each chapter of his books/reading materials with a diagram. He
intended for all “Ten diagrams” to be made into ten panelled standing screens
so that the mind of the viewer could be constantly engaged with its contents,
until the contents were fully assimilated by the practitioner.
The Back of the 1000
Won Banknotes showed Dosan
Seowon (Dosan Confusian Academy).
1000
Won Banknotes under this Series (Series I) which were issued on 14.08.1975 were
withdrawn from circulation on 12.05.1993.
The Front of the 5000
Won Banknotes showed an image of Yi
I.
The Back of the 5000
Won Banknotes showed Ojukheon
in Gangneung.
5000
Won Banknotes under this Series (Series II) were issued on 01.06.1977 were
withdrawn from circulation on 12.05.1993.
The Front of the 10000
Won Banknotes showed an image of Sejong
the Great and a Water Clock.
An image of a
Water Clock
The
Water Clock or “Borugak Jagyeongnu”
(meaning “Water clock of the Borugak Pavilion”):
In 1434, during the reign of King Sejong the Great of the Joseon Dynasty a Water
Clock was made by Jang Yeong-sil which marked the hour automatically with the
sounds of a bell, gong and drum. This self-striking Water Clock (or “Jagyeokru”) was used to keep the
Standard time during the Joseon Dynasty. In 1536, the Clock was remade
and improvement was done by Yu Jeon.
Presently, only three
water bowls and two cylindrical water containers are available from the 1434
version.
The mechanism:
The Water clock worked by having water poured into the largest bronze vessel
which flowed into the smaller vessels which flowed into the long water tanks.
When water level rose to the appropriate level, a floating rod touched a lever
device which caused a ball to roll and hit another ball at the other end. The
rolling ball would trigger the gong, bell, drum and even a wooden puppet which
marked the hour with a placard.
The Back of the 10000
Won Banknotes showed the “Gyeonghoeru” Pavilion at Gyeongbok
Palace and the Rose of Sharon.
10000
Won Banknotes under this Series (Series II) were issued on 15.06.1979 were
withdrawn from circulation on 12.05.1993.
1983-2002
Series of Banknotes:
In 1982, the 500
Won Banknotes were replaced by 500 Won coins.
In 1983, a new
Series of Banknotes was issued which had the following notable features:
- Distinguishable
marks, as assists for the visually challenged persons, placed under the
watermark.
- Addition
of machine-readable language in preparation for mechanisation of cash handling.
- Better
quality cotton pulp to reduce printing and production costs by extending the
circulation life of the Banknotes.
- All
Banknotes have intaglio printing.
- Modified
10000 Won and 5000 Won Banknotes were released in 1994 and 2002 with various
new security features including colour-shifting ink, microprint, segmented
metal thread, Moire and Eurion constellation et al. In addition, copyright
information inscribed under the watermark and the year of issue on the Front
and copyright “The Bank of Korea” and the year of issue on the Back have been
inscribed.
- The
printing plates/blocks for the 1000 and 10000 Won Banknotes were produced by
the Korean Minting and Security Printing Corporation, while the plates for the
5000 Won Banknotes were made in Japan.
On
the Front, the 1000 Won Banknote has a portrait
of Yi Hwang.
On
the Back, the 1000 Won Banknote has an image
of Dosan Seowon (Dosan Confusian
Academy).
The
size of this Banknote is 151
mm x 76 mm and its colour is Purple. This Banknote was first
issued on 11.06.1983 & its designation is Series II.
On
the Front, the 5000 Won Banknote has a portrait
of Yi I.
On
the Back, the 1000 Won Banknote has an image
of “Ojukheon”
in Gangneung.
“Ojukheon” museum in Gangneung: Gangneung is a
town in Gangwon-do on the East Coast of South Korea. “Ojukheon” Museum is named after a special black Bamboo which grows
in this region. The Museum is one of the oldest wooden buildings in South Korea
and has been designated as National Cultural Heritage no. 165.
The
size of this Banknote is 156
mm x 76 mm and its colour is Orange. This Banknote was first
issued on 11.06.1983 & its designation is Series III. Later, this
Banknote was issued on 12.06.2002 under Series IV with additional
security features and copyright information et al.
On
the Front, the 10000 Won Banknote has a
portrait of Sejong the Great and a
Water Clock.
On
the Back, the 10000 Won Banknote has an image
of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbok
Palace.
The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion as it looks today.
“Gyeonghoeru” Pavilion at “Gyeongbok” Palace: “Gyeongbokgung” or “Gyeongbokgung” Palace or “Gyeongbok”
Palace was the main Royal Palace of the Joseon Dynasty.
Built in 1395, it
is located in Northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of five Grand Palaces
built by the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung
Palace served as the home of the Kings of the Joseon Dynasty, the King’s
households and the Government, the “Tyeonghoeru”
or the “Gyeonghoeru” Pavilion
is a Hall which was used to hold important State banquets during the Joseon
Dynasty.
The first “Gyeonghoeru”
Pavilion was constructed in 1412, during the reign of King
Daewang, but was burned down during the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592.
The present building was
constructed in 1867, during the reign of King Gojong on an island of an
artificial lake. The outer perimeters of Gyeonghoeru are supported by square
pillars while the inner columns are cylindrical – they are placed in this
fashion to represent the concept of Yin and Yang. Three stone bridges connect
the building to the palace grounds and corners of the balustrades around the island
are decorated with sculptures depicting 12 Zodiac animals.
The size of this Banknote is 161 mm x 76 mm and its colour is Green. This Banknote was first issued on 08.10.1983
& its designation is Series III. Later, this Banknote was issued on 20.01.1994
under Series IV with additional security features and copyright information et
al.
2006-2007
Series of Banknotes:
With widespread
counterfeiting of Banknotes, the South Korean Government was left with no
option but to go in for a new Series of Banknotes with more advanced security
features.
The
5000 Won Banknote, which was the most counterfeited, was the first one to be
redesigned in 2006.
Later, in 2007, the 1000 and 10000 Won
Banknotes were introduced.
Some
of the Security features placed in the Won Banknotes are:
- Holograms
with 3D images that change colours within the metallic foil on the Front face
of the Banknotes (except for the 1000 Won banknotes).
- Watermark
portraits of the effigy of the Banknote are visible when held to the light in
the white section of the Banknote.
- Intaglio
printing on words and the portrait present a raised/embossed feeling which is
different from ordinary paper.
- Security
Thread in the right side of the Front face with small lettering “Bank of Korea”
and the denomination of the Banknote.
- Colour
shifting ink on the denominational value number at the Back of the Banknote.
- For
the first time in the World, KOMSCO has placed a new substance in the Banknotes
to detect counterfeits.
On the Front of the 1000 Won Banknote is depicted a
portrait of “Toegye” Yi Hwang (1501-1570), “Myeongnyundang” in Seonggyungwan
and a “Mume” (plum) tree with flowers. Also notice that on this face there is a single dot below the vertically
printed numeral “1000” which is an assist for the visually
challenged/impaired users to identify the denomination of this Banknote.
“Myeongnyundang” of the Sungkyunkwan:
Sungkyunkwan or Taehak was the foremost Educational Institute in Korea during
the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties, which still exists today. Myeongyundang
is the main lecture hall of the University.
On the Back of the 1000 Won Banknote is “Gyesangjeonggeodo” a painting of Yi Hwang in Dosan
Seowan by Jeoeng Seon.
The size of this Banknote is 136 mm x 68 mm and its colour is blue and its Series
designation is “Series III”. This denomination of Banknotes was first
put into circulation on 22.01.2007.
There are 19 security features on this
Banknote including Intaglio latent image, windowed Security Thread,
Colour-shifting ink, see-through Register, Micro-lettering, Watermark, Special
Press and Soldering, Intaglio Printing, Fluorescent security fibres, Endless
interlinking pattern, Rainbow Printing etc.
On the Front of the 5000 Won Banknote is depicted a
portrait of scholar Yulgok Yi l
(1536-1584) and Ojukheon (Mongryoungsil) in
Gangneung and (Ojuk) or Black Bamboos. Also
notice that on this face there are two
dots below the vertically printed numeral “5000” which is an assist
for the visually challenged/impaired users to identify the denomination of
this Banknote.
Yulgok
Yi I (26.12.1536 – 1584): Yi I was one of the two
most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, the other being
his older contemporary Toegye Yi Hwang. Yi I was popularly known by his
pen-name Yulgok (meaning “Chestnut valley”). Apart from being a scholar, he was
a prominent politician and reformer. He wrote a thesis titled “Cheondochaek”
(meaning “Book on the Way of Heaven”), which was widely regarded as a literary
masterpiece. He held various political positions but is mainly known for being
a philosopher and a social reformer.
His School of Neo- Confucianism placed
emphasis on the more concrete, material elements, rather than inner spiritual
perception, his concept of practical and pragmatic approach valued external
experience and learning. Even in Administration, he emphasised sage learning
and self-cultivation as the basis of proper administration. Some of his
selected works include: “The Essentials of the studies of the sages –
Fundamentals of Confucian ethics, self-cultivation and statecraft”, “The Secret
of expelling Ignorance –systematic guide of learning”, “Daily Records of
Lectures before the Throne”, “The Complete Works of Yulgok” (the last compiled
posthumously).
On the Back of the 5000 Won Banknote is “Insects
and Plants”, Watermelons and
cockscombs Paintings by Yi I’s mother Shin Saimdang.
The size of this Banknote is 142 mm x 68 mm and its colour is Red and Yellow/Orange and its Series designation is “Series V”. This denomination of
Banknotes was first put into circulation on 02.01.2006.
There are 17 security features on this
Banknote including Hologram (OVD: Optically Variable Device), Colour-shifting
ink, Intaglio latent image, windowed
Security Thread, See-Through Register, Micro-lettering, Watermark, Special
Press and Soldering, Watermark Bar, Intaglio Printing, Fluorescent Security
fibres, Endless interlinking pattern, Rainbow Printing etc.
On the Front of the 10000 Won Banknote is depicted a
portrait of Sejong the Great
(1397-1450) and “Irwolohbongdo” (“the Sun, the
Moon & Five Mountain Peaks”) a
folding screen for Joseon era Kings, and text from the second chapter of “Yongbiacheonga”
(“Songs of Dragons Flying to Heaven”) - the first work of literature
written in Hangul. Also notice
that on this face there are three dots
below the vertically printed numeral “10000” which is an assist for the
visually challenged/impaired users to identify the denomination of this
Banknote.
Sejong
Daewang (or Taewang) the Great (15.05.1397 – 08.04.1450):
He was the fourth King of the Joseon dynasty in Korea. He ascended the throne
in 1418 and ruled till the time of his passing away on 08.04.1950.
During the first four
years of his reign, he governed as Regent with his son Grand Prince Moonjong,
when his father-in-law Sim On and his close associates were executed and his
older brother Jae was stripped of his title to the throne.
Sejong reinforced
Confucian concepts and policies and brought about major legal amendments. At
first, he suppressed Buddhism, but later atoned for his action by building
several temples and accepting Buddhism.
He supported literature and encouraged high
class officials and scholars to study at the court. He oversaw the creation of
“Hangul” (the native phonetic
alphabet system for the Korean language), encouraged advancements of scientific
technology and put in place several measures to stabilise and improve the
economic prosperity of his kingdom. To help farmers to benefit from
technological advancements, he brought out a book – the “Nongsa jikseol” – which contained information about
different farming techniques that scientists gathered from different regions of
Korea.
In May 1419, he
embarked upon the “Gihae Eastern
Expedition” which rid the Korean territories of Japanese piracy and earned
tribute and trade with several other conquered territories to the Korean
Kingdom leading to all-round relative peace and prosperity. He built forts to defend his newly
acquired/controlled territories and instituted the “Samin policy” to attract new settlers to the Region.
He is one of only two Korean rulers to be posthumously honoured with the
title “the Great”, the other being “Gwanggaeto the Great” of Goguryeo.
An image of
the Irwolohbongdo placed behind the Imperial Throne.
Irwolohbongdo” ( meaning “the Sun, the
Moon & Five Mountain Peaks”):
This
is a folding screen with a highly stylised landscape painting of a sun, moon
and five peaks which was always placed behind “Eowja” (the King’s Royal Throne) during the Joseon Dynasty. The Sun
and Moon symbolise the King and queen while the five peaks denote a mythical
place or Utopia. In addition to these
images, there are two fast flowing streams (representing the King’s
bounty/charitableness) flanked by conifers (representing the prosperity of the
Nation). The screen was placed to display the grandeur of the Joseon Royal
Court. These screens were constantly being made for Joseon rulers and only a
few of the original screens remain today.
Songs
of Dragons Flying to Heaven: The dragons mentioned in
the title of the Songs represent the six ancestors of the Joseon Dynasty:
Mokjo, Ikjo, Dojo, Hwanjo, Taejo (Yi Seonggye) and Taejong (Yi Bangwan). The flight
of the dragons, “Yongbiacheonga” is
the Joseon Dynasty’s rise in accordance with the “Mandate of Heaven”. This
symbolises the Joseon ancestry as morally and politically upright and also sets
out an ideological standards for future Joseon rulers to follow.
On the Back of the 10000 Won Banknote is “a
Celestial Globe or the Globe of Honcheonsigye” (part of an Armillary
sphere) and “Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido” in the background.
The
“Honcheonsigye”:
The Honcheonsigye is an astronomical clock created by Song I-Yeong in 1669.
The clock has an armillary sphere with a diameter of 40 cm. The sphere is
activated by a working mechanism, showing the position of the Universe at any
given time. It is the only remaining astronomical clock from the Joseon Dynasty
and is designated as South Korea National Treasure no. 230.
An image of a Cheonsang
Yeolcha Bunyajido replica on tapestry.
“Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido”:
This is a 14th century Korean Star Map, during the Joseon Dynasty.
The name is often translated as the “Chart of the Constellations and the
regions they govern”. King Taejo had the Royal Astronomers carve the
constellations on a flat black stone in 1395. The stone was roughly 122.5 cm in
width, 211 cm in height and 12 cm in depth. The astronomers carved 1467 Stars,
264 Constellations and their names, the ecliptic and equatorial lines and 365
scales around. The map showed the positions of heavenly bodies in their natural
order and allocated on their respective celestial fields. This map became the
standard during the Joseon Dynasty with numerous copies being printed and
distributed nationwide. The Map is designated as National Treasure No. 228 of
South Korea and is kept in the Korean royal museum in Seoul.
The size of this Banknote is 148 mm x 68 mm and its colour is Green and its Series
designation is “Series VI”. This denomination of Banknotes was first
put into circulation on 22.01.2007.
There are 21 security features on this
Banknote including Hologram (OVD: Optically Variable Device), Colour-shifting
ink, Intaglio latent image, Security
Thread, See-Through Register, Micro-lettering, Watermark, Novel Numbering (size
of digits in the Serial number increase gradually from left to right), Special
Press and Soldering, Watermark Bar, Intaglio Printing, Fluorescent Security
fibres, Endless interlinking pattern, Rainbow Printing etc.
On the Front of the 50000 Won Banknote is depicted a
portrait of Shin Saimdang (1504-1551)
and Mukpododo, Eggplants of
Chochungdo-subyeong, Wolmaedo, Poongjukdo – a folding Screen of Embroidered Plants, and Insects” (South Korean
National treasure No. 595 in the background. This Banknote is the first Korean Banknote featuring the portrait of a
woman. Shin Saimdang was a prominent 16th century artist,
calligrapher and mother of Korean scholar Yulgok Yi I.). Also notice that on this face there are five horizontal lines below the
vertically printed numeral “50000” which is an assist for the visually
challenged/impaired users to identify the denomination of this Banknote.
Some images of paintings
by Shin Saimdang
Shin
Saimdang (29.10.1504 – 17.05.1551): She was a Korean artist,
writer, calligraphist and poet. Her nickname was “Eojin Eomeoni” (meaning “Wise Mother”). Her real name was “Inseon”
and her pennames were Saimdang, Inimdang and Imsajae.
Her artwork is known for
its delicate beauty. Her favourite themes were insects, grass, flowers,
butterflies, orchids, grapes, fish, mountains, rivers and landscapes.
Altogether some 40 paintings of ink and stone-paint colours are known today,
and much more of her work is assumed to have existed during her lifetime. Not
much of her calligraphy is available today, but her style was greatly
appreciated during her lifetime with high ranking officials and connoisseurs
writing appreciatively about her work. Her poetry included “Looking Back at my
Parent’s Home while going over Daegwallyeong Pass” and “Thinking of
Parents”.
On the Back of the 50000 Won Banknote is “a
Bamboo and a Plum tree.
The size of this Banknote is 154 mm x 68 mm and its colour is Yellow and its Series
designation is “Series I”. This denomination of Banknotes was first put
into circulation on 23.06.2009.
There are 22 security features on this
Banknote including Holographic strip (OVD: Optically Variable Device), Colour-shifting
ink, Intaglio latent image, Moving image or Motion Security Thread, Novel
Numbering (size of digits in the Serial number increase gradually from left to
right), See-Through Register, Micro-lettering, Watermark, Special Press and
Soldering, Watermark Bar, Intaglio Printing, Fluorescent Security fibres,
Endless interlinking pattern, Rainbow Printing etc.
(Some of the Banknotes are from
the collection of Jayant Biswas. Banknotes scanned and Post researched and
written by Rajeev Prasad)
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