Korea (1905) 1/2 won
This specimen was lot 43418 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $576. The catalog description[1] noted, "KOREA. 1/2 Won, Year 9 (1905). PCGS MS-62. Sharply struck with eye appeal that exceeds the assigned grade. From the Collection of Dr. James Eustace Bizzell, II." 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 minted in Japan for Korea 1905-06.
Recorded mintage: 600,000.
Specification: 13.48 g, 0.900 fine silver, 31 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-1129; K&C-32.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
Link to:
- year 6 (1902) 5 chon
- Korea (1906) 1/2 won
- Coins and currency dated 1905
- return to coins of Korea