Korea (1902) 5 fun
This specimen was lot 57482 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $528. The catalog description[1] noted, "KOREA. 5 Fun, Year 6 (1902). Incheon Mint. Kojong (as Emperor). NGC MS-64 Red Brown." Korea, long a protectorate of the Chinese empire, was attempting to organize herself as a fully independent nation when she fell victim to the power struggle between Russia and Japan. Japanese influence, predominant after the Sino-Japanese war of 1895, was challenged by Russian expansionism in the late 1890's. This culminated in the Russo-Japanese war of 1905 and Russian defeat. Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and colonized her until 1945. This type was struck year 2 (1898) and year 6 (1902) altho year 6 is not shown in the current edition of the SCWC.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.2 g, bronze.
Catalog reference: KM-1116; K&C-37.1.
- The Catalog of Japanese Coins and Banknotes, Tokyo: JNDA (Japanese Numismatic Dealers Assn.), 2014.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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